I am scheduled for December 26!!! My pre-op site starts on Dec. 12. I am so excited!!! It actually works out great because I am a teacher and I already have the time off so I won't have to worry about asking for much time off. I will even have a few days off before the surgery to make sure I have everything ready. I am so excited!!!

Congratulations! It's so great that everything is falling so perfectly into place for you.

Congrats. Can I presume the LI is for Long Island? If yes, I'm your neighbor on the other side of the river here in Manhattan.

Yes, the LI stands for Long Island. I live in Nassau County and will be having my surgery in Syosset.

What a wonderful Christmas present to yourself! Congratulations

Welcome to the December group !! You should come join us in the support group if you haven't already

I am just joining this site and I love reading all the posts. I'm learning so much. My surgery date is also 12/26 and I'm so excited and also a bit scared of the unknown. I just have to do a clear liquid diet on Christmas and then surgery the next day. My surgery time is 1 pm which is crazy because after midnight I can't even have Water. I am a person who drinks water constantly and that is my biggest fear right now.

Welcome to the December group !! You should come join us in the support group if you haven't already

Ive been having a problem find things on this site.... Where is the support group?

Just confirmed that my surgery date in Monday, December 16...I go in this Monday [ 9th] for an EGD to see if I have a hiatal hernia which can be repaired during the lap band procedure. There have been lots of hurdles.

I had stopped looking in the mirrors, put off shopping for clothes and was using self-depricating humor before someone else could make a comment: "You know, I only go out at noontime now...yes that's when my shadow is the smallest!" or, as I am holding my stomache, "Someone asked me if this was Lee Press On, but I assured them it's real..."

So when my PCP suggested bariatric bypass at my annual physical in July, I knew I had to do something. I first started the long process of determining how my insurance [state of Texas] would help. NOT! They were going to require a 12-month long weight loss program [monitored], a trip to the psychiatrist, $5,000 up front and then they would only cover the remaining 80%. So, I check on how I could self-pay by checking out funding through a withdrawal from my ORP. Again, [state of Texas negoitated contract], the only way I could get the money was if I died, quit or retired. So, I turned to True Results in Houston.

Just as I was going to have my first appointment, I was diagnosed with acute bacterial prostatitis which meant 6 long weeks of CIPRO. Once that was completed, I had my bloodwork but then got the news that I would have to have a stress test since I'm 62 and have had 50+ years of asthma. But, because of the affects of the CIPRO [which I had to stop taking due to some of the side effects; didn't want to have a ruptured achilles tendon!], my PCP ordered a stress test via nuclear medicine. My co-pay was close to $650 which is eating away from what I've set aside for the lap band. Needless to say, the stress test proved I was a worthy patient for surgery and am going forward with the current game plan.

I was at 354 lbs in July for my annual physical and have already dropped down to 342 with Protein shakes for the last 2 1/2 months. My goal will is to get to 190 lbs.

Yes, it's going to be a merry Christmas and the beginning of a NEW YEAR!!

Excellent! Good luck with the pre-op diet (if you go on one).

I am scheduled for December 26!!! My pre-op site starts on Dec. 12. I am so excited!!! It actually works out great because I am a teacher and I already have the time off so I won't have to worry about asking for much time off. I will even have a few days off before the surgery to make sure I have everything ready. I am so excited!!!

Great, best wishes to you and your new start for a new year!

Best wishes to you too Lawrence Baxter! HAve a great holiday! You can do it! I was banded 4 years ago right before Thanskgiving, the number 1 eating holiday!

Yes, the LI stands for Long Island. I live in Nassau County and will be having my surgery in Syosset.

Are you using Dr. Geiss?? Had surgery almost 3 months ago there!

Yes, the LI stands for Long Island. I live in Nassau County and will be having my surgery in Syosset.

Are you using Dr. Geiss?? Had surgery almost 3 months ago there!

Not Dr. Geiss, I am using Dr. Powers. I have my final pre-op appointment on Monday.

That's great! So exciting...good luck...maybe we will meet up some day at the support group!!!!

Looking forward to hearing about your success! Keep us posted!