Hello everyone,

I am a 48 year old female, 5' 8", 238 lbs. and am about 80 lbs over ideal weight. I have not been banded but just had to say that this is an amazing site and I am very greatful for all the generously helpful people here. I probably wouldn't have the courage to get this operation if it weren't for all the help and encouragement given here.

After reading the health risks from being overweight I feel 100 percent on the positive side about this procedure. I have learned that is not a magic bullet and it will still take effort on my part to lose the weight but this I am hoping will be a powerful tool in helping to stop re-gaining the weight that we work so hard to take off! I like going to the gym but I don't like being the only fat person that's been a member for almost a decade.

I have an appointment with the NYU Medical Center in Manhattan. CIGNA pays 100% when you have it done there. (Would love to chat with someone who has gone here or plans to!) I am thinking positive thoughts that they will pay up. I am a grey area BMI though at 37/38 but I do have recent back problems and high cholesterol. I am only nervous about them not paying. Don't want to go into debt again. Was wondering which was worse being in debt for a decade or 80lbs overweight? I've come to the conclusion that risking a shortened life is worse especially when you still have young kids. I am excited about the health benefits of this procedure and of course the perks of fitting into clothes better. I know this has got to be healthier than using diet pills and over exercsing! Thank you all once again for your support!

Joan

NY

Hi:

I started my journey for this in January and I'm being banded on 8/13 by Dr. Fielding. I met him only once and I felt pretty comfortable with him. He has a strong reputation for knowing what he is doing and he is also banded and knows first hand what anyone is going through which made me very comfortable.

It is hard to go through the process once you get your appointment with the surgical coordinator because she works so hard and is constantly busy. You cannot get her on the telephone, the girl works like a horse, so that was the most frustrating part for me because she is the person who deals with the insurance and my insurance happens to be the worse of them all (Aetna).

So, onward and upward and hopefully downward in weight!

Keep me posted!

/n.:ranger:

Congratulations on finally getting a date for your surgery! From what Dr. Ren tells us her husband, Dr. Fielding is the best and she refers him all her patients that may be complicated in anyway - only meaning he can handle it all. I had a ruptured appendix in 1989 and a C-section in 1997 and the dr. told me I had tons of scar tissue so I may have to have Dr. Fielding as well. Keep us posted. You must be excited?

Congratulations on finally getting a date for your surgery! From what Dr. Ren tells us her husband, Dr. Fielding is the best and she refers him all her patients that may be complicated in anyway - only meaning he can handle it all. I had a ruptured appendix in 1989 and a C-section in 1997 and the dr. told me I had tons of scar tissue so I may have to have Dr. Fielding as well. Keep us posted. You must be excited?

Yeah I'm excited. I'm making myself a ceviche to say goodbye to shrimp tonight. LOL - I go on my liquid Proteins tomorrow morning!

I will let you know what happens!

/nilsa

Hey Everyone!!

If all goes well I am scheduled for Aug 27. YES!! CANT WAIT!! I am nervous about the pre-op liquid diet. I will have to remove food from my apt and possibly tie myself down after 8 P.M. LOL

Good luck MissNilsa! Keep us posted.

Sooverit- Hi, How are you coming along?

Oh, I feel very positive about Dr. Ren. She knows her business!

LIGHT ER NYC:bounce::whoo:

Hey Lighter: Congrats on getting your day! I know what you mean about being nervous about the liquid diet...but I think after the 2nd day you may lose your appetite...even people who fast for weeks have reported this.

My progress will be slow but that's okay. My PCP went on vacation for 2 weeks:rolleyes: and I am waiting for him to get back so I can do the sleep Apnia test. So far I've done the seminar, on-line video, survey, and psy eval. Then when vacationing doc is back the apnia test, blood tests, physical, and God willing he will write the 6 progress report letters and a letter of recommendation for lap band surgery. I fully expect my insurance company to pay...I fully expect my insurance cmpany to pay...(positive visualization)...I full

Update: I had my psych eval on Aug. 3 - almost didn't pass, Dr. was leery about the fact that I have a tendency to binge. Hello? How does he think I got this huge? By eating like a bird and not eating in between meals? Is there anything wrong with eating 8-10 MINI Reese's Peanut Butter cups one after another? Ha Ha! I also had my physical & bloodwork. Made appointments for cardiac workup, mammo, chest x-ray, & gyn. Starting Chantix tomorrow to to stop smoking. Nutritional Assessment is scheduled for Sept. 10 - so things are moving.

Congrats LIGHT ER NYC!!!! We are gonna do this!! It's surreal... but fantastic:bounce:!!!!

I had mine done by Dr. Fielding in March. I just discovered I have a leak, but its not there fault. He has been helpful. Just beware, they never get back to you when you call! They are VERY busy.

Maria I liked Dr Hubertman ( not sure of the spelling) I switched to shopping at night instead of eating. <wink> The online stores never close. The UPS guy is adorable. All kidding aside I have found I'm not nearly as obsessed with eating as in the past. My kids are grown so I'm not making family meals anymore. Eating out isn't bad either. I pick any appetizer that doesn't make me sick. I'm not a drinker so I have my cappicino before dinner. Keeps me from picking on the bread and making me sick. Fresh bread that like will get stuck in the band.

Trust me it all sounds over whelming now but you will get into a routine...

Nothing tastes as good as THIN looks......

Hi Maria:

We are neck in neck here....I have my Nutritional Assesment on August 30th at NYU~! Tonight I do the sleep apnia test. I got a check up today and had high blood pressure for the first time ever...must be mind over matter - more reasons for the insurance company to pay out!

Hey Everyone,

Strangest thing - 1 more week before liquids, and I am not ravenous. I think my nerves are kicking in!

Anyway, Maria-- Before next week, you and me at Kotabuki!

Snowangle, would you be willing to share how you got the leak and what will be done about it?

Also-trying to set myself up with some positive/healthy activities rather than emotional eating. Any suggestions?

LIGHT ER NYC

Snowangle, would you be willing to share how you got the leak and what will be done about it?

I don't know how it happened, its very rare. Its a 10 minute office procedure with a local, so it should be just fine. Crossing fingers!

Snowangel, I am sending positive vibes to you!!!!

LIGHT ER NYC

Hey Josie: Howz Texas treating ya? We are lifetime NYers but almost had to move to TX for my husb's business. I thought it was a fun place except for the heat, but I bet with the weight off it's much more tolerable.

That's funny you say that ... My boyfriend wants us to move to Austin, TX (once the real estate market comes back and we can sell our house on Long Island) I love that area and am totally on board but told him I would have to lose a significant amount of weight first or I'd never be able to handle the heat - LOL!

Good luck everyone!

Hi All,

MissNilsa - it's getting closer!! You lucky girl!

Sooverit - You helped make my decision to have Dr. Fielding do the operation because I have had laproscopic gall bladder removal and a c-section as well and I know he's good at navigating scar tissue. Yeah, we are pretty much neck and neck! From what I can see with how these appointments are being set up - I'll probably go in October, maybe you will go in sooner.

Snowangel - I hope all goes well with the repair of the leak, sounds like just minor discomfort and inconvenience.

Spunkywoman - I LOVED Dr. Huberman! He really picked my brain! The questions he asked!

LIGHT ER NYC - Kotabuki it is!!! That place is calling my name! :hungry:

Love to All,

Maria

Light how was your appt. with Dr. Ren? Was this your actual surgery date?? If it was congratulations ...and how are you doing now? Had a quick ? about insurance ...did you go thru insurance? Everything work out with that? Well take care of yourself. It only dawned on me after I started to write that you are probably newly post op...:notagree get your rest.