Are there any Vermonters out there any more? I would love to find someone to talk to in my area, or quite frankly anyone in any area is fine with me

Hi everyone from VT!!

Hi! I am a newbie, I am going Wednesday for my 1st visit with the Bariatric clinic. I was wondering how successful was the surgery and what is the process. I'd love to talk with you, I am also from VT. Burlington actually. Please email me here or my reg email millerlinnie@gmail.com or im me on yahoo mommyinburlington

Thank You so much

Lynn

Welcome - Good luck with your journey. After you get started with Dr. F you'll be able to log onto the yahoo blog going for Vermonters there as well.

Weight loss with the band is tough (or even tougher!) It's not a magic cure. Fortunately there are enough people in the Burlington area who you can rely on for support. Even with the band you need to watch calories and exercise. The band is only a tool.

Check back in after you have your first visit and if you have a chance to get to the support group meeting the first Tuesday of every month you'll find lots of support.

Hello to anyone who is reading this :Yawn: I started the thread and some how have neglected to see how everyone is doing! I guess I am doing pretty well, I have 5.5ccs in my 10cc band. Have good restriction mostly as long as I follow my proper eating habits as I am suppose to.

I have really become more careful about my calories and keep track with FitDay.com - that is so important for me. If I do not keep on top of my calorie intake I find myself eating more and more - it really is accountability for m, e.

I am stuck at 194.5 right now but I am really hoping to break through the 190's by the end of January - that is my little goal.

Hope to catch up with some Vermonters (and anyone else) again soon!

I had my surgery on Sept. 29th, 2008. So far,I am very happy that I had this surgery. I have lost 27lb since surgery and prior to surgery I lost 20lbs so that is 47lb since March of 08. I have had one fill and I have 4cc in my band. I am due to see Dr. F in two weeks and feel I need another adjustment. I do feel that I did have some restriction when I first got my fill but that has went away. Although some mornings I am tight and have some diff. eating breakfast. Everything has been positive. They have started some weekly meeting for post op people. The yahoo blog can give you info.

Leese

Hi Leese,

yes I belong to the yahool group and have seen the meeting times. I just do not use that group much and cannot go to the meetings as besides working full time I go to college as well.

Sounds like you are doing wonderful! Losing weight quickly - I am envious :tt2: Take care!

Hi Babbs - thanks for checking back in. There seems to be more activity happening with the yahoo site. There is also a group of us meeting regularly on Tuesdays. It is a struggle isn't it! I've been looking for a site to record calories. I'll check out fitday.

Last week I went to the intro meeting with Dr. F's office. I'm really excited about having the Lap Band surgery. Did it take all of you the full 6 months to actually have the surgery done? I'm so anxious and want this to ahppen already.

Thanks!

Jay

Jay, I had my first meeting with the doctor in July and I had my surgery in December. So it does take almost the whole 6 months. Use that time to work on yourself - listen to the doctor, Ellen and Deb to do everything possible to make the transition from non-lap band to a lap bander easier.

Make sure you come to the support group meetings - 1st Tuesday of each month.

Thank you! I will just have to practice some patience for the next 6 months. I will definitely attend the support meetings.

Hi~

My name is Julie and I was banded by Dr. Forgione back on 2/21/2006. I have lost 50 pounds from my highest weight and have about 60 to go. My situation has been a bit unusual- I haven't had any fill in my band for about 2 years. My body just doesn't seem to tolerate them at all for some reason. So, to make a long story short I have an unfilled band and am trying to lose weight with WW. I still do have a bit of restriction but it doesn't slow down how much I can eat, just how fast I can eat.

Anyway, I have been feeling recently like I need to get involved more in the local lap band community. Can someone send me a PM and let me know where/when the support meetings are? I haven't heard from Dr. Forgione's office in over a year and haven't made any appts b/c there doesn't seem to be a reason to since I can't have fills.

Thanks!

Julie

Hi ladies.

Just checking in. I got banded on 08/17/09.

So far so good. I've been lurking here and at pats laps. I don't have any fat clothes to pass down to the girls on pats laps so I don't have much to say 'cause I seem to be the only guy doing this.

Does anyone know of another man who's been banded lately?

Wishing you all well,

Bill

Anybody still around from Vermont?

Hi Haley 8203! Vermonters are still on here. We are a really quiet group. Welcome to our world :-)

Great! I am happy to find people from Vermont, especially since I'll probably have Dr. Forgione. I'm just starting the process I meet with my PCP in 2 weeks. According to my insurance there aren't "hoops" per say but the Dr. might so I guess I'll find out. Is there anything you guys recommend I do before my PCP appt? A little intro, I'm 29, full time student (senior in college) and a full time single mom (my daughter will be 8 on friday). I look forward to the day I can go on amusement park rides with her. Also her classmates give her a hard time because I'm so overweight, that just breaks my heart.

I look forward to talking with you mitamia and all the other Vermonters

My surgeon is Dr. Forgione. He is a really great doctor. Overall, I've been really happy with him. His office does have a program that you have to go through which includes an application. If you application is approved (if you appear to be a good candidate), then you must attend a large info session to decide if the surgery is right for you. If you want to go ahead with it, you need to meet with thier psychiatrist and determine that you are mentally stable and can handle the surgery and follow-through with the diet and exercise. If you pass that step, then you meet with a dietitcian. If all looks good there, then I think you finally get to meet Dr. Forgione and start your process. They will most likely ask you to lose 5-10% of your body weight beofre your surgery to show them that you can stick to diet/exercise. You'll also have a few "homework" assignments along the way as well as a practice liquid diet. So the hard part for me was working with Dr. Forgione's office and getting through the program itself. The easy part was my insurance, they were super easy to work with. Also life after being banded has been great. Along the way, I have learned to eat diferently and exercise more regularly. I don't regret the surgery at all. In fact, I recommend it to anyone who is interested in making a serious life change. We are about the same age (I'm 28). Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions. I remember feeling lost, confused, excited and aggravated during the first few months.

Great! I am happy to find people from Vermont, especially since I'll probably have Dr. Forgione. I'm just starting the process I meet with my PCP in 2 weeks. According to my insurance there aren't "hoops" per say but the Dr. might so I guess I'll find out. Is there anything you guys recommend I do before my PCP appt? A little intro, I'm 29, full time student (senior in college) and a full time single mom (my daughter will be 8 on friday). I look forward to the day I can go on amusement park rides with her. Also her classmates give her a hard time because I'm so overweight, that just breaks my heart.

I look forward to talking with you mitamia and all the other Vermonters