Hello I am Robbie and I am from TN. I have talked to my Doctor and she has sent my paperwork to my insurance, she said it shouldn't be a problem to get the Lap Band cause I am 5'1" and weigh 263 lbs. My BMI is 49.7. She said it would take about 6 mths, and that i would have to go to nashville about 4 times before the surgery.

When do they fill the band for the first time, and do you lose weight before they fill it? I am excited and scared too. any info would be appreciated. Thanks

I'm from E TN....Maryville, about 30 min. southwest of Knoxville. I'm still on the fence about having it done. I think about it all the time. One minute I just know it's the right and best thing for me to do and the next I'm postivie I shouldn't do it. If I do, I will be self-pay and I'm thinking of going to Mexico to Dr. Ortiz. One of my biggest concerns is complications and will my insurance pay for complications from the band. If they don't, I could be financially ruined for life. I know there isn't any way to predict the future, I could have it done and it be the best thing I ever did, or it could be the worst thing I ever did and there is no way to know. Anyway.... just rambling.

PS

Jfran-Where did you have your surgery?

Princess Sophie-It is a tough decision. I decided not to dwell on the negative and only dwell on the positive and that was my deciding factor. Im sure you will make the right decision.

Hi rogers....I'm just outside Memphis is Munford and am using Dr Woodman. I am in the initial stages at this point. My psych evaluation is scheduled for the 6th. How long did it take you to get approval?

My sister used Dr Woodman about three years ago and loved him. She is at her goal and has been for a little over a year....she looks fantastic!

Anyway....HELLLO from Memphis!!

Has anyone used Dr. Woodman at Baptist East in Memphis? I am scheduled for surgery mid-August--anyone from Memphis?

BlueEyedBaby- I had my surgery at Blount Memorial -Dr. Ray with Premier Surgical Weightloss Specialist. LOVED THEM and the surgery center was great.

Princess_Sophie- you ought to attend a support meeting at BM first thursday of every month. People can attest to how great the band is and how great BMWLS has been for them.

Hello!!! Don't know when you wrote but I am just seeing it! Thanks for your response. I am self-pay--ugh!!!--but am excited about doing this! I am thrilled to hear that your sister is at goal and has stayed there for over a year! WE will do that, too! Thanks again!

Hi rogers....I'm just outside Memphis is Munford and am using Dr Woodman. I am in the initial stages at this point. My psych evaluation is scheduled for the 6th. How long did it take you to get approval?

My sister used Dr Woodman about three years ago and loved him. She is at her goal and has been for a little over a year....she looks fantastic!

Anyway....HELLLO from Memphis!!

Hello everyone! :confused:

I am from Knoxville, TN. I am still in the process of getting the Lap Band. If/when I get it, it will be performed at UT Medical Center. There is a new WL program there ran by Dr. Matthew Mancini, Dr. Gregory Mancini, as well as Dr. John D. Scott. The Mancini's are brothers, by the way. It is a brand new team they have put together, including a nutrionist that works with them.

I am excited to start!

Hello I am Robbie and I am from TN. I have talked to my Doctor and she has sent my paperwork to my insurance, she said it shouldn't be a problem to get the Lap Band cause I am 5'1" and weigh 263 lbs. My BMI is 49.7. She said it would take about 6 mths, and that i would have to go to nashville about 4 times before the surgery.

When do they fill the band for the first time, and do you lose weight before they fill it? I am excited and scared too. any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Robbie,

I had my surgery on 7/18 and will have my first fill on 8/28. In the meantime, I have lost 20 lbs. Congratulations on your decision to get banded. Please be advised, though, that you must develop a strict discipline about your eating habits, etc. I had an especially hard time with having to drink only Clear liquids for a while, then only creamed Soups, Jello, etc., and now I'm in pureed foods for a month. That has been especially hard for me. We tried to Celebrate our anniversary last night by going out to eat, but I could only eat Soup while watching my husband eat a big, juicy steak!

You'll have good days and bad days and that's when everybody on this website can help bolster you up again, so don't fail to get on there whenever you have a question or problem.

Keep us updated.

TenGal

Hey Tennessians! I live in Fayetteville but plan to have my banding done in Birmingham as of right now. I've only been to 2 different seminars and B'ham has my vote right now. Nashville's centinnial seems nice (website & support group) but it's backwards (in direction) from what would be convenient for us. I am at the stage of starting the 6 month diet. Look forward to getting to know alot of fellow banders!

Hi Wendy! I was in Fayetteville this weekend, my in laws live out on Howell Hill Rd. We went to Trotters to eat, nice place. Glad to have you on LBT and good luck on your journey!

Hello! I am from the Chattanooga, TN area, and was banded on 08/24/07 by Dr. Sass at Memorial Hospital. I wanted to commend all of you on your successes!

I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you!

HI MissDarlene!! :welcomeB: !!!!!

As I've mentioned, I'm from Knoxville, TN and am now one step closer to getting the Lap Band!! I am so happy about it. Next step is meeting with the surgeons again...

Congrats to you Readyforit! Keep plugging on and don't give up no matter what, waiting can be frustrating but just keep you eye on the goal and sooner than you think it will be time for surgery! Good luck hun!!!!!

Hi Robbi,

I live in Winchester, TN.

I was banded on 7/18 in Huntsville, AL (closer to me) and went for my first fill yesterday. However, the Dr. could never get the needle to go into the port. He tried twice, probing each time. Not fun! So, now I get to go back to Huntsville early in the morning to the O.P. surgical clinic to have it done under floroscope (sp ?). He said I was only the second patient he had had trouble with like that. The bad thing is that it will cost me a $100 co-pay to have it done at the surgical suite. I can't afford this if I have to get every fill done that way!

Anybody else have this trouble?

By the way, I lost 20 lbs. before my first pre-op visit.

TenGal

Hey y'all, another East Tennessean here. I live in Knoxville. I was banded in Chattanooga on 5/24/07. Everything was great with the surgery and everything has been great since then.

I'm a pretty private person in general, but the irony of my office visit last month was I met someone in the waiting room as we casually compared our progress and experiences, thanks to her starting the conversation. She was several months ahead of me and it was great to hear her talk about stages in the process that I would be encountering - like band fills, food tolerance, etc. I then realized that maybe a support group with actual people would be beneficial despite my normal private "I can do it myself" attitude.

So if anyone does know of a Knoxville support group, I'd be interested. Until then, I'll keep reading the LBT forum board.