Hello. :wub: I'm Belle and hopefully, a soon to be candidate for lapband. This is the first time I've used a real picture on the internet since...well, ever. Usually, I use my cat. LOL. I figured, if I can't be real here, I might as well just pack it up and call it a day.

What I'm noticing after looking around this site, is I seem to be the largest person around. Which sucks... but nothing new in my life, really. And if all goes according to plan, this won't always be the case. I can handle it if y'all can.

I had my first consultation with the surgeon on May 9th. Her name is Dr. Holder-Haynes at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Since then, I've had a barrage of appointments. First, the lengthy psych exam...then a Gastroenterologist. Then another one... next, a Cardiologist. The surgeon mentioned a few tests that would be needed in order to clear me for the surgery, but it's become a great deal more than what she mentioned. She told me it would be:

1. psych evaluation and sessions

2. barium swallow

3. some gastro scope thing to look inside me.

4. nutrition classes

----------------

that's it!!

Well, it's been a lot more with even more yet to come. Things like stress tests. Echo Cardiogram. EKG. Colonoscopy. etc etc...

I'm ok with doing whatever is necessary to make sure this is safe and I receive clearance but I have to say, i'm disappointed and frustrated with the lack of information supplied at our first meeting. If I'd been WARNED of all these different procedures, it wouldn't have come as such a surprise. Sigh...it's hard.

Ultimately, this is my fault. I got myself here. I'm not trying to blame anyone but myself. I'm willing to do all the hard work to improve my life. I just hope this doesn't drag out for months and months. My insurance won't be involved, so I won't have to deal with financial red tape. I just have to get myself medically cleared.

Has anyone else had similar stories? I'm sure mine is worse than most due to my size and age. I also have Multiple Sclerosis which makes things even worse. I just wish it wasn't so complicated. Wish I'd done this 10 years ago. Wish Wish Wish... so many things..

I'm BEYOND thrilled to have found this place though. A friend told me to seek out a support group and by the looks of things, I've hit the Mother Lode. I look forward to reading different insights and points of view and hope, in time, I can be of assistance to others, as well.

I'm in this journey for the long haul.... thanks for allowing me to share it with you all. :wub:

Belle

Welcome to the forum! You have found the best support group here.

Stick around and you'll learn everything you need to know and then some.lol

You'll find a lot of inspiration here too.

I hardly think you are the largest person to join LBT, but size doesn't matter anyways.

We even have a few that have MS, so you're not alone.

Sorry you have to go through so much testing, but it just goes to show, you must have a great surgeon. Someone thats not taking any chances with your life. That has to be comforting.

I had to do a 6mth supervised diet, before ins. would approve my surgery. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Gave me the time I needed to get the education to succeed and I got it all right here.

Any questions, just ask.

Best wishes on your journey.

Hang in there. There are def alot of obstacles to pass before surgery but worth it when its all done. I joined LBT 6months before my surgery and found a wealth of info on here. I mostly looked at pre-op forum so I knew what to expect coming home and was well prepared. Everything my body went through I knew in advance that is was normal after surgery. Special tip! Visit this site daily for inspiration and motivation! Everyone here is great and helpful even if you dont join in on a topice just read and take it all in.

Welcome to the forum! You have found the best support group here.

Stick around and you'll learn everything you need to know and then some.lol

You'll find a lot of inspiration here too.

I hardly think you are the largest person to join LBT, but size doesn't matter anyways.

We even have a few that have MS, so you're not alone.

Sorry you have to go through so much testing, but it just goes to show, you must have a great surgeon. Someone thats not taking any chances with your life. That has to be comforting.

I had to do a 6mth supervised diet, before ins. would approve my surgery. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Gave me the time I needed to get the education to succeed and I got it all right here.

Any questions, just ask.

Best wishes on your journey.

Thank you very much. By the way, I love that weight loss ticker you have at the bottom of your page. And congrats on your incredible success!!

A sign of a good surgeon is one who requires tests before cutting someone open and finding unwanted surprises/results.

Hang in there. There are def alot of obstacles to pass before surgery but worth it when its all done. I joined LBT 6months before my surgery and found a wealth of info on here. I mostly looked at pre-op forum so I knew what to expect coming home and was well prepared. Everything my body went through I knew in advance that is was normal after surgery. Special tip! Visit this site daily for inspiration and motivation! Everyone here is great and helpful even if you dont join in on a topice just read and take it all in.

Thanks! Yes, the stories are incredibly inspiring. All of you are fantastic motivators... even keeping me on my diet now in preparation for the surgery. I plan to go to a support group that my hospital offers but coming here is so much easier and there are SOOOO many more people to draw encouragement from.

Congrats on your success!!

A sign of a good surgeon is one who requires tests before cutting someone open and finding unwanted surprises/results.

Now that I've had time to reflect, of course, I agree. I guess my frustration lies primarily in the lack of preparedness I received from the Dr. on my initial consult. I'm glad my Dr. is being so thorough to make sure I can physically withstand the surgery though...and all things leading up to it. I just never realized it was quite so involved. That's what brought me to this website, too. In case there are more surprises down the road, I'll perhaps get a heads-up from those who know best.

Thanks for the encouraging words and congrats on your success.

Hello. :wub: I'm Belle and hopefully' date=' a soon to be candidate for lapband. This is the first time I've used a real picture on the internet since...well, ever. Usually, I use my cat. LOL. I figured, if I can't be real here, I might as well just pack it up and call it a day.

What I'm noticing after looking around this site, is I seem to be the largest person around. Which sucks... but nothing new in my life, really. And if all goes according to plan, this won't always be the case. I can handle it if y'all can.

I had my first consultation with the surgeon on May 9th. Her name is Dr. Holder-Haynes at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Since then, I've had a barrage of appointments. First, the lengthy psych exam...then a Gastroenterologist. Then another one... next, a Cardiologist. The surgeon mentioned a few tests that would be needed in order to clear me for the surgery, but it's become a great deal more than what she mentioned. She told me it would be:

1. psych evaluation and sessions

2. barium swallow

3. some gastro scope thing to look inside me.

4. nutrition classes

----------------

that's it!!

Well, it's been a lot more with even more yet to come. Things like stress tests. Echo Cardiogram. EKG. Colonoscopy. etc etc...

I'm ok with doing whatever is necessary to make sure this is safe and I receive clearance but I have to say, i'm disappointed and frustrated with the lack of information supplied at our first meeting. If I'd been WARNED of all these different procedures, it wouldn't have come as such a surprise. Sigh...it's hard.

Ultimately, this is my fault. I got myself here. I'm not trying to blame anyone but myself. I'm willing to do all the hard work to improve my life. I just hope this doesn't drag out for months and months. My insurance won't be involved, so I won't have to deal with financial red tape. I just have to get myself medically cleared.

Has anyone else had similar stories? I'm sure mine is worse than most due to my size and age. I also have Multiple Sclerosis which makes things even worse. I just wish it wasn't so complicated. Wish I'd done this 10 years ago. Wish Wish Wish... so many things..

I'm BEYOND thrilled to have found this place though. A friend told me to seek out a support group and by the looks of things, I've hit the Mother Lode. I look forward to reading different insights and points of view and hope, in time, I can be of assistance to others, as well.

I'm in this journey for the long haul.... thanks for allowing me to share it with you all. :wub:

Belle[/quote']

Very nice about having all of us for your support group. We really do try to help everyone. Good luck with your new journey. Don't think, oh I am the biggest one, think I will be the successful thinner new me.

You're off to a good start. Keep us posted on your journey and we'll be here to support. The road to success is to take the first step and you've done that already. Wishing you much success and you can PM me anytime!

Hi TxBelle

Hang in there you can get through the paper work.

I was self-pay... I also have issues... I have spinabifida and hyrdocephalus... so I had a few extra test to go through but things worked out fine for me.

As for your size and age don't worry about it... I know several people who are VERY large that have been banded and have done very well. I also know people of all ages that have been banded.

My only regret is that I didn't do is sooner. I was 39 when I was banded... just a month before my 40th BD.

I started with a 54" waist now I'm a 30" waist.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs