Hello,

I have been looking out here waiting for a fellow Minnesotan to post something, but I guess I'll do it first to see if there is anyone out there. I know you are out there, just like me, wanting to connect with someone a little closer to home. I'll be banded on Oct. 8th at HCMC by Dr. Lederer and I am really getting excited and nervous all at the same time. I start my 2 week liquid diet next Monday and I am terrified. I know I can do it, at least that is what I keep telling myself. I am so ready to lose this extra baggage I have been carrying around for all these years. I am 5'11 and 316lbs with a bmi of around 44. I'm ready to be healthy and be able to fit in that darn airplane seat comfortably (I fly alot). Anyway, I hope someone is out there.

hi im a fellow minnesotan, i live in st. paul. I had my band placed 8/15/07 at methodist hospital by dr. wetherille. It was such an easy surgery. Congrats on taking this big step to the new you. You will be a loser before you know it. The pre op liquid diet wasnt so bad for me, i lost 14 lbs prior to surgery. Good luck to you!

Kim

Congrats on the big step! I had mine done at Fairview University with Dr lederer and couldn't be happier. I was more excited then scared- my family was more scared then me - I just wanted to get started and get back to doing the things that made me me. Good luck- you are startintg on a great adventure and I hope you have as much fun along the way as I have!

Well, I'm glad to know that you are out there. I hope this goes smoothly. i have all the support from my family and friends and now you all. I'm glad to know that Dr. Lederer is a good choice.

I do have a question. Everyone here says to walk, walk, walk after surgery. How soon did you start walking? I'm a big baby and do not like pain. But I did have a baby without any drugs, it could'nt be worse than that right?

After the overnight in the hospital and then home I was not taking much pain meds and started moving around right away. I was planning for a much worse time then it was. I thought I would have to stay in bed for a few days but other then the lifting restrictions and the mid day nap I learned to love, it was pretty much business as usual! But that was me and everyone reacts differently and has different pain tolerance. I found it much easier then my 18 hr labor!

HI! I just got approved to start all my appts.!! I am having my surgery at Methodist (not sure when the date will be) and I had my first visit with the nurse yesterday and my psych evaluation in October! I am a little nervous about the psych eval because I have a history of depression (not at this moment) and I saw that someone got denied because she was depressed.

Megmarie21 - I'm sure your appointment with the psych doctor will go fine. Good luck to you as you start your journey.

I had my surgery in Duluth, MN 8/21, would like to visit with someone from the Northland area

I live in Chisholm, Minnesota and am going through the lap band process in Deer River, MN

congratulations Mikey, I hope everything goes well for you.

good luck to you mikey

I just had my last visit with my psycholgist today and they are going to submit my info to insurance. They said I should know if approved or not by mid Feb. And then I could have surgery mid Feb or early March! I am so happy about this!!!

Congratulations!! I bet you know faster than that. My doctor's office told me it could take 2 weeks to know if I was approved, but I found out in 3 days. How exciting.

Hello fellow Minnesotans. I am new to this site as of today. I am pre surgery for the lapband process. I have completed the visit with my doctors. I am waiting for the insurance company (BCBS) to give the OK. So, with the best schedule I am less than a month out from surgery, but more than likely, because how slow paperwork can move, I am a bit more than a month away. Currently, I am big man (three man in one) and I am looking to get back down to my military weight of 210. I do have friends and family support and now looking for a place to communicate with other going through the same process. I hope this is the place.

Weight Loss - Diet Ticker

Mikey,

So, how is it going? I thought I would drop you this note for a support group in your area;

Virginia WLS Group

SMDC Clinic

1101 9th Street N / 2nd floor lobby

Virginia, Minnesota

Meetings are third Monday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Welcome. I wish you the best of luck on your WLS journey. It can be a roller coaster ride, but I think you will find it well worth it. Good luck.