Alright, I guess I'm the first in this section. I am being banded Aug 29th in Cleveland Clinic Florida by Dr. Szomstein. Anyone else?

Good luck on Friday, JC!

Thanks Wednesday!! I saw your pics at the clinic. You look fantastic.

I hope you're doing well! I am scheduled 9-11 with Dr. Marema. We are practically doing this together! We should really try to keep in touch and compare.

Again, hope all is well!!

Angie

Well, happy to find you all here. I'm Donna, from Largo FL, banded 2/21/03 by Dr. Grossbard. Happy to meet ya.

Hello Fellow Floridians,

I am due to be banded on 9-22 at the Cleveland Clinic-Weston.

They haven't given me a surgeon name yet--I think it is going to be Dr Rosenthal.

LH

Hey guys, good luck to you pre-banders. I'll tell you, Cleveland Clinic treated me so well. That place is awesome. Whatever surgeon you have doesn't make a difference. They are all great.

Angie, I really hope you are doing okay. 6 days out for me, I was feeling pretty good already. I am now 19 post-op and feel awesome. Port site is a little sore, but ultimately, no complaints. I am about 20 lbs lighter. I have very little restriction, so I am eating way more than I want to. But I know this is part of the process. 10-08 I go in fora possible fill. Dr Szomstein said as long as I am losing, I don't need a fill.

Good luck to you all.

JC,

Thanks for asking about me. Unfortunately, I was bumped from the trials. (I was going to get the Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band on the FDA trials). I had an upper GI and they found a hiatal hernia. Never knew I had one. No symptoms. So now I need to find out how many hoops I have to jump thru to get insurance coverage. If not, I've already decided to go to Mexico.

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping to get a surgery date soon. I'm also a Cleveland Clinic patient. I was hoping to be a part of the swedish band study but I haven't heard anything about being chosen. I'm not even sure what the criteria is for the study?!?!?! I know they are looking for a certain type of patient but I don't know if I meet the profile. I have a bunch of tests and consults set up for next week then I'll start the waiting for the insurance approval. Does anyone have United Healthcare PPO?

Anyone going to the support meeting on the 29th at Cleveland Clinic? It would be nice to meet you all?

Marsha

Hi Marsha,

I don't know exactly what they are looking for on the FDA trials. I am just going to assume they want the perfect patient without any co-morbidities to screw up the results. I came back with a hiatal hernia which shouldn't limit me getting the band, just not on the study.

I would love to know about United Healthcare too. I have BCBS Health Options thru my husband and I am beginning to find out that I will have a very long road to get approval. I have the option to pick up United thru my employer. I will keep my ears open.

Also, for the others: I see you've gone to the Cleveland Clinic, How many other surgeons did you see? Who, if you don't mind telling? And what made you choose Cleveland Clinic?

Thanks!!

Angie

I am having my surgery on 9/23/03 at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Rosenthal is performing the surgery. I have heard nothing but great things about the Cleveland Clinic. So far, I am happy that I decided to take part in the study there.

JG

I think I met you while we were all running around like crazy getting our testing at the Cleveland Clinic.

I am getting nervous about Monday 9-22. Come visit us & see how we are doing when you check in! We should still be there--Sandy, Pam & Linda.

Good Luck on Tuesday!

Linda

I think you were the one that told me about this site. That was crazy running trying to get all of those test done. I really believe that we are all going to do just fine this coming week and beyond. There is that fear of the whole process because it's new to us, but, there is definitely excitement when I look at this as a new beginning. I really believe that we will all go through this journey with flying colors and we'll look back on this and be glad we did it.

I'll try to see you Tuesday, if you have not checked out yet.

Jackie

Good Luck to you too Jackie!

Linda

Man, I am sorry, I forgot to check in with all of you. Hope everyone is fine.

How was everybodies Cleveland Clinis experience? I know I loved it. When my dad went by to visit, he even said he wanted o get sick to stay there a couple of days!!LOL, too funny.

Anyway, I have United Healthcare PPO and they paid for my surgery, had no problems with approval or anything. A week before surgery, I got a letter in the mail stating I was approved.

Right now, I am feeling pretty good, but eating way too much. Occasionally I even forget I have this band, and won't chew really well, and end up with that nasty pain in my chest. Wait a few minutes, and it's gone. I have lost about 22 pounds to date, and can't wait to get some more off. I am scheduled for another follow up next Wednesday, hopefully Dr. S will give me a fill. I had two pork chops, a small scoop of stuffing and some corn for dinner yesterday. WAY TOO MUCH!!!

Well, good luck to you all, let's keep checking in. :-)

Hello,

My experience at the Cleveland Clinic was great. I got banded on 9/23/03, I found everyone to be helpful and the the rooms nice. I can't imagine eating two pork chops, stuffing and corn. Emily told us to stay away from corn and celery when we do start on regular foods. Dr. Rosenthal has us on liquids still, we are supposed to have something every three hours and I am having trouble doing that, I have no appetite so far. I honestly hope it never comes back. I am down 14 pounds in a week and I am thrilled.

When did you start eating regular foods? Did you ever lose your appetite?

Just courious! Good luck on your weight loss.

Jgwoodson1