Hello All!

This is my first post so please be gentle :confused:

After receiving a Christmas card from my cousin out in Colorado (who looked AMAZING!!!) I called her to find out what she did to drop all that weight. She told me that she had done gastric bypass 9 months ago, and she's down about 125lbs. I'm so happy for her! I have been researching bypass as well as banding for the past few years and hearing about her success has motivated me to persue the surgery. I have an appointment on Wednesday to get a referral so I can go to the consultation at the Barix Clinic.

I've read a lot about both proceedures and i've decided on the band for various reasons. Does anyone have any helpful tips for someone just starting the process? Anyone go to Barix or know someone who has gone there?

If you are just starting - go to a seminar. Listen to the standard patter and ask questions of the person giving the speech.

Google "Gastric Band" or "Lap Band" and you will probably find several docs near you that offer regular seminars.

Once you get past the intial seminar - you may have some more specific questions to ask.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the pointers! I am going to talk with my PCP tomorrow so I can get a referral and talk about how I can stop smoking. I am attending a seminar 2/21 at the Barix Clinic in PA and afterward I am having a consultation with a surgeon. In preparation for my appointment tomorrow I am making an outline of sorts. I get very nervous when talking to people that I don't know, so I think that making a list of all of the reasons why I should get banded is a good option. I also want to run a list of familial health problems by my mother. Right off of the bat I know that a few of my aunts (as well as my mom) have Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems among other things.

The bottom line is that i'm 25 years old and I feel like a pile of hot garbage! There is no reason that I have muscle and joint pain if i'm on my feet too long, or heartburn every day. The thing that really freaks me out the most is waking up in the middle of the night because my arms are asleep. I'm ready to make a change for the better and there is no better time than now.

Hugs!

Hope the seminar is really detailed and you get all your questions answered.

Remember - ask your questions. Chances are good that if you want to know, somebody else does too - but is too shy to ask.

I promise, the doctor won't bite, kick or scream at you - at least not in the initial seminar! LOL!

:]