Today I took my first step to my new life. I have decided on Dr K out of Denver Co. and am set up for Oct. 4th. I can't believe that I may actually have a chance during my lifetime to be normal and not labeled morbidly obese. How I hate those words. Someday I will be able to shop for clothes in any store and not just in tall and large areas. I am excited and not really scared. I have read all of forums and weighed the good and the bad. I know I can do this!!!!:whoo:

Congrats and good luck.

Congrats!!! October will be here before you know it!

Hey Lafs... I am being banded by Dr K on October 16th.. I'm excited too.. I can hardly wait until October.. Do you live in the Denver area or are you traveling to Colorado??

I'm traveling from Pa. Coming a day early to see Denver and visit the casinos in Black Hawk!!

Wow, you are coming quite a ways.. But in mho you are coming to the best Dr.... You will have a fun time in Blackhawk and from the sounds of it you have been there before...

Lets keep in touch. Maybe we can be support to each other...

Thanks for your support. I'll need it!! I have never been to Co. but have been to Vegas many times. Gambling is rare in Pa so a casino trip is always fun for us.

I'm glad to hear that Dr K is good. I was considering Mexico but then I found him and from all I read, He seems very respected. I've been a nurse for 30 years so I really checked him out...

Congratulations!!!

We have an entire thread about Dr. Kirshenbaum that you can JUMP forums to at the bottom of this page. Go to Doctors and Hospitals and it is titled "Considering Dr. Kirshenbaum".

I flew from Tampa, Florida to Dr. K. He is the best!!! I am flying back out October 11 for a check-up and fill.

You are making the right choice! Isn't it exciting? I know how you feel by once again having HOPE.

I can recommend for you a hotel, The Holiday Inn Select at Parker, CO. When you make reservations, tell them you are a patient of Dr. Kirshenbaum coming in for surgery, they will give you a discount.

That hotel is directly across the street from Crowne which is a lovely medical center. For an upgrade of about $10 you can get a room with a mini fridge, sofa and coffee table.

Best wishes and best of luck to you for an awesome experience. He is the best!!

Patty in Florida

Lafs~WELCOME and congrats on your date. Good vibes my friend...my Bday is Oct 4th, I lived in Pittsburgh for four years, my hubby is from there (we are HUGE Stiller fans), AND...Dr. K did my band too! (hey Lap Dancer!). You are deff in good hands. I wish you well and hope to see you in the Kirshenbaum thread!!!

cheers!

Lafs.... You will really enjoy coming out to Colorado. Blackhawk is not quite as big as Vegas, but is still lots of fun.. Whenever I get over to the Denver area I try to get up there... The trip through the mountains is really beautiful and I am guessing that the elevation is about 8000 ft..

I was considering Mexico too until I found Dr K and I checked him out pretty well myself. I have had my phone consultation with him and he is the nicest man.. I know that I will be in good hands...

Hey Lafs, don't forget to join us on the monthly thread "October 07" - We are the TENaciousTENS! By the way, I'm a nurse too - 25 years. I'm picky too, but your doc sounds like a favorite on these boards. Go over to the monthly group and intro yourself!

Holly.... Thanks for inviting Lafs over to our groupie... I must have been dozing and not thinking when she gave her October banding date....

Lafs..... Come on over and join the TENacious TENS group. It is under the Monthly Support Groups title... We welcome all October bandsters....

Please let me know of your experience. I am also from Eastern Pennsylvania and considering Dr. K. How quickly did you get a date for surgery? Also, how difficult is the clinic to reach from the Denver airport?? That is one of my worries since I will be traveling alone...........Hope I can start the new year banded. I will be 44 in a month and don't want to be obese at 45!

This is how I roll:

Upon reservations I let them know I need a wheelchair door to door. You get out of the car at curbside, check bags, get your ride. Someone pushes you to the gate, first one on, last one off. Ask the flight Attendant for a seat extender for your belt.

You are met by a wheelchair roller and/or a golfcart type vehicle to take you end to end. Someone will get you to the awaiting buses to the car rental area.

I'm never afraid to ask for a wheelchair or front door drop off. (I've huffed long enough)

When you get to the plaza where Dr. K's office is, you can park and take the shuttle to the front door or you can do valet parking. Since that shuttle is rolling every five minutes, it's quicker. No charge either.

Hope this helps. Best to you.

Please let me know of your experience. I am also from Eastern Pennsylvania and considering Dr. K. How quickly did you get a date for surgery? Also, how difficult is the clinic to reach from the Denver airport?? That is one of my worries since I will be traveling alone...........Hope I can start the new year banded. I will be 44 in a month and don't want to be obese at 45!

It took me about 1 month from first call to surgery date. Pretty quick. I'm not sure I would want to make the trip alone. It's too difficult to drive after the surgery when you are on painkillers. It is about 30 minutes from Parker Surgical Center to the airport. Plus it's a help to have someone help you with dressing and waiting on you for a day or two. If I can get off of work, maybe we could travel together and I can get a fill while you get banded..........

I just met Dr. K today and I think I like him. He seemed very nice. Did you meet with any other surgeons here as well? I have one more consult tomorrow.