Come join us. We are bandsters without a local support group, and we're going to meet, say hi, and chat about possibly starting our own group.

We are meeting this Wednesday December 13 at 6:30 PM at Humble City Cafe near the SE corner of the intersection of 1960 and 59, on Main Street.

Let me know if you're coming and I'll make a reservation in the name of Bandsters.

Unfortunately, I can't make it tonight either. I'll also hang around this thread to see when the next meeting will be.

Hi Ladies, I was at the meeting tonight and it was so nice to meet people going through the same things. It was fun and informative. I think we decided the next meeting would be the second Monday in March, same place same time. Be sure and watch for a better update from the others involved.

Well, I had a wonderful time! But we need to get more men bandsters to come! A lone wolf needs a pack! Come join us for dinner Monday March 12th at 6:30 PM at Humble City Cafe.

I've marked my calendar. It was great meeting all of you last night. It is so much more fun sharing the experience with others than doing this alone. We can all learn from each other and get support when we need it.

As long as it's the second Monday of each month I can't make it. I play bunco that night.

We just changed it for March. Several of us that were there last night will be out of town the first Monday. We can go back to the 1st Monday in April.

Gosh, wish I had viewed this last night. Please let me know about another meeting in Humble area. I'll be there. I live in Humble. Dr Spivak is my surgeon. I had my surgery Oct 16 2006. I lost 23 pounds and go for my first fill on Thursday Dec 21! Hope someone replies to me. Thanks, Lana

:help: hi dr.spivak is also going to be my doctor,did you have a good experience with him? im afraid to choose him as my doctor so i would realy apreciate your comments. than:faint: k

Dr. Spivak seems to be a nice guy who is enthusiastic about his work. He's also one of the more experienced at lap band surgery. You go to one of his group meetings and he explains everything and answers questions. Then you talk with people who have been banded while you wait to have your meeting with him, all during the same evening. He didn't seem hurried, and asked really probing questions that got me thinking, and answered my questions.

All he needed from me was a copy of my old blood tests and a check for $15000.00, and we scheduled the procedure. The next, and only other time I have seen him, was on operation day. He was reassuring, as was the staff at the Surgicenter. He also arranged for someone who also had Lupus, like I do, and was banded, to talk with me. Nice touch!

Since then, I've only dealt with the Surgicenter staff. I think he and Speigel and some other Drs. own the Surgicenter, so the care remains overseen by him. If you get your fills in the morning, you'll likely be filled by Joy, who is a real pro!

I'm in no position to judge a surgeon, but he was helpful, informative, and his stats show very very few complications and no deaths.... I'm satisfied.

RhondaLynn-Are you banded yet?

No, not yet. Just considering it. Reading posts. Want to meet all of you & talk locally.

Isn't someone trying to get their's approved through Aetna ?? That's the insurance I have Aetna HMO. Wonder if I could get insurance to pay a portion . . .

I've had only good things to say about Dr Spivak. I'm a retired RN and find him very warm and informative. When I told him I went to both seminars and really wanted him to do my surgery, he said he seems to get mostly medical people coming to him. He is very soft spoken and fully glad to answer all your questions. He really seems to care about your sucess. Would you believe I cancelled on him 4 times because of second thoughts and he told me not to worry about the cancel's, that you have to do it when you are ready. I really appreciated that so much.

Betsyjane, Is Deb online? I never see any posts from her. Our little group was so much fun Monday night.

I haven't seen Deb either.....

RhondaLynn---My insurance doesn't cover any bariatric surgery in our plan, although it does in other plans. First thing to do is call insurance and ask them if they cover bariatric surgery. If so, I understand that they usually want to see a BMI of at least 40, or a BMI of at least 35 withother health complications like diabetes.

Grumble grumble.... I have a horrible head cold. Went to the store and bought Claritin D. THEN I read the box...do not crush or cut. Grrr. I'll learn. Everytime I cought or sneeze, I worry about dislodging the band. not tha tI can stop doing it at the moment, but somebody please reassure me that the band can take what we dish out in normal life! Sniff.

Betsyjane, I had a cold back in November--one month after my surgery and I coughed and sneezed plenty as I remember and no problem. Just think of the bandsters that have upchucked or I think they call it PB ing? That's pretty hard on the system. I did have that happen yesterday and it felt a lot worse than a sneeze. I'm sure you will here from others that will tell you not to worry. I'm so sorry your sick. I hope you get better real soon:)