Hi I'm Melissa and I live in Jacksonville, Florida. I have been told all of my life, that I was overweight. I look at pictures of me when I was younger, and boy do I wish to be that size again. I have finally topped the scale at 335 pounds at about 5 feet 6 inches tall. I switched insurance at the beginning of 2008, so that the band would be covered. I have my first consult on January 23rd; so my journey is beginning. I predict I will have my surgery in May, once I have done my three months of nutritionalist, etc. I have also determined, I will not be informing any of my family members of my surgery. All of my family lives in NC, so it won't be too hard to conceal it. I want to see the look on there face when I go home for Thanksgiving and have hopefully lost some weight. I'm tired of being obese. I saw a picture of me sitting in a chair at Christmas and burst out into tears; I had no idea that is what other people see when they look at me. I don't see it in the mirror, as I do not look in the mirror anymore, but now, I need to project a better image. I'm ready to make that change.

Got the date!! 3/4/08 at Tampa General with Dr.Murr. Looking forward to being more active with my kids 7 and 11...this weight has been a killer on my spine. Good luck to all!

nbkight hello! I too am in Jacksonville! How very cool! I know the waiting can be very hard! I started this journey Jan 2007 and had to do a six month diet per insurance and all the other lovely stuff they wanted me to do. I was expecting to get my band anywhere from July-Sept. 06 <cough> somehow I got lost in the system blah blah blah paper work and I was put off til Jan 2008. Hang in there! It was a year in the waiting but I am so glad I didn't give up! ~Laurinda~

Hi Kimkimmie. I will be using Dr. Cywes as well here in Jacksonville. My first consult is on Wednesday and I got my reminder call this morning. I'm so ready to get the process started. Since we are using the doctor, I'm sure we will get to meet. I went to my first seminar at Memorial back in November. Thanks for all of the information about Dr. Cywes and his sessions. I would like to attend sometime.

Hi Laurinda. The waiting is probably going to be the hardest part, but I know in the end it will be well worth it. I'm glad I only have a three month stint, instead of six months. Are you using Dr. Cywes as well or maybe Dr. Webb? I'm just so happy to see that I'm not alone and that everyone has to wait a little bit.

Hi Trinitydad, congratulations on getting a date. I'm so excited for you. I can't wait to get my date. Good luck to you as well.

Hi mrodr41, hang in there. It is the waiting that is the most frustrating. At least, once I finally got in contact with someone at the Weight Loss Clinic, it only took two days for her to get my insurance (Aetna) approved. Hang in there and keep me posted on your progress.

Thanks nbkight! March can't come soon enough...this weight (360) has been a killer on my spine...looking forward to being more active with my 2 kids (7/11). Good luck to all....Tom

Hi Midge - I'm from Ohio and was just banded two weeks ago and doing great. If you need someone to correspond with just let me know!

Hi, i'm from Floirda too, and have made it a point to not be in pictures to to be hidden behind other poeople. I can't wait until i'm ok in pictures too!!!!!

So how was the banding? How are you feeling? What part of Ohio are you from?

If you go to support groups, in Geographical Regions, and narrow down the location to US/Florida, you will find a support group for Jacksonville Bandsters there. There are a few of us at the moment. We are all hoping to get together maybe in February just to have our own small support group and of course have our on line support here.

I am also going to Dr. Cywes. Wednesday is my pre-op appt. Have already done the nutritionist and weight counselor appt. Just waiting on my EKG report which hopefully I will have by Wednesday. My surgery date is on February 7th at the Surgery Center in Jax Beach. I am self pay so am opting for the Surgery Center over the hospital in order to save a few thousand bucks!

Hope to see you all over on the Jacksonville group!

Hello All! AFter being on a rollercoaster all my life, I have finally decided to actually do SOMETHING about it! I am just starting my testing for the lapband and waiting for insurance approval. I was as high as 325 about 10 years ago and down to 200 about 4 years ago. Now I am back at 250 and can't seem to get any of it off. At 52 years old and 5'3" I think this is the tool I need to help me. Good Luck to Everyone and Keep me in your prayers too!

Debbie

I'd love to have someone to talk to about all of this. Can you tell me what you have eaten since the band was put in?

Thanks

Debbie

Good luck Debbie and welcome to the bandster way of life!

Hi everyone!!

I called my insurance company yesterday and they advised me that I was APPROVED. I was shocked that it went thru so fast, thought I would have problems. Now I need to wait for my letter and not sure what happens after that.. ( can anyone else help in that area??)

Now I am also getting a little nervous about the procedure. I hear things about people not being able to swallow (what is that like is it scary?) also what about the pain and how long will I be off work?,etc..

Can someone,anyone please give me some advice on what to expect after approval and how long they think it will be from this point and also how long they were off work,etc... I have a sit down job

Thanks:confused: :smile: