UMass Medical Center Bandsters

[lpglarry 1]

Hi Larry,

I absolutely LOVE my band! I was determined to make it work for me and it has. I was a QUANTITY eater...I knew how to eat helathy, I just ate too much because I never felt full. The band helped limit my quantity, I have to be very careful about the quality...very few carbs, lots of Protein and veggies...same as the bypass menus. They tell you it's slower losing weight witht he band, and perhaps it was, but I lost 160 pounds in 2 years. This past year I've been holding steady, and as frustrating as I sometimes think that is, it's actually a victory for me because in the past I would have gained weight, not maintained. So the band is stil doing it's job, as long as I do mine..eat right and exercise. My expectations were not to be really thin, I just wanted ot be healthier and "normal"...I think I've achieved that now and another 10-20 pounds would be nice, but not essential to my health. I could barely walk a half mile when I started, and this past Nov I walked a half marathon!

Dr Kelly is wonderful from what I've heard. I met him once when I had some hernia issues and he was very nice. How far into the classes are you?

Keep us posted. and ask any questions you want! I'll answer based on my experience. and read, read, read! That's how I educated myself before the surgery, I read everything on this website! It's full of people's experiences and strategies, etc. You are bound to get help here if you look. Keep us posted!

hi mary

i was wondering how long it takes between first meeting and surgery? i have my second meeting or consult in april, seems so far away, 3 months between 1st and second meeting. oh well i/m ready thanks for your support larry

[marypetunia 0]

Hi Larry,

All of the classes take some time to go through. I'd say an average of 6-9 months from start to surgery. I took a year, but that was because I just couldn't lose the weight they asked me to while going through the classes so the surgeon didn't submit to my insurance until they thought I was ready. When you say you went to the first meeting, are you talking about the group meeting on thurs night? If so, the next one will be with Dr. Gitkind who will evaluate your personal situation, insurance coverage, etc. You won't see the srugeon until you've gone through all the classes, then you will meet with him and he decides when to submit to insurance. Once they submit to insurance, it's usually scheduled within a month or so, so it goes quick at that point. But be patient, it does take a while to get through it all but is SO worth it in the end!:smile:

[marypetunia 0]

Hi all! Happy Spring!!! YAY for warm weather! It feels SO good to get back outside again! Just wanted to find out if anyone else was at the meeting Thurs night? I hadn't been for awhile but as always, the opportunity to talk about the band came up. Usually at least one person asks about the band since most of the conversation usually concerns bypass, and Thurs was no exception. Hope you are all doing well...post a note and let us know your progress!

[lpglarry 1]

I don't know I have not heard of anyone denied by a doc. I was thinking you might get denied by insurance because you only have one co-morbidity and with a BMI below 40 you have to have two. Have you lost weight since your initial consult. Even that would not get you denied, you would just be in the program longer. Are you a smoker? You do have to quit smoking. I don't know that is all I can think of.

well hello people

i went first meeting in jan,2009.snd meeting dr.gikind,and now another meeting next week with psch dr. i wanted to know why u mass ahs a bad name,i never heard anything please tell me larry

[lpglarry 1]

Hi Larry,

All of the classes take some time to go through. I'd say an average of 6-9 months from start to surgery. I took a year, but that was because I just couldn't lose the weight they asked me to while going through the classes so the surgeon didn't submit to my insurance until they thought I was ready. When you say you went to the first meeting, are you talking about the group meeting on thurs night? If so, the next one will be with Dr. Gitkind who will evaluate your personal situation, insurance coverage, etc. You won't see the srugeon until you've gone through all the classes, then you will meet with him and he decides when to submit to insurance. Once they submit to insurance, it's usually scheduled within a month or so, so it goes quick at that point. But be patient, it does take a while to get through it all but is SO worth it in the end!:thumbup:

thanks people

i/ll keep u posted add me friends list i am new .keepm in touch,nice to hear about local people losing thanks

[manseaud 0]

I am starting the process on December 18, and I really nervous the dr. will let not me go ahead with the the surgery.

[lpglarry 1]

are you going to intro meeting??? i went there it was great. Why do you thinkrhe dr. won/t let you have the band...?

[manseaud 0]

Lucy12 said she was denied and Dr. Gitkinds didn't give her a reason. I am just nervous. I have a lot of medical issues, but I know I can do this. Other diet programs haven't worked very well.

[manseaud 0]

When you went through the UMASS program at your very first visit what kind of things did they want to know??

[manseaud 0]

I have been to the intro meeting and to one of the other group meetings where people have had the surgery. It's been very informative.

[lpglarry 1]

i waitd 3 month for an appointment after intro meeting, it takes about 10 to 11 months if all goes well. I am going for lap band monday, i went to meeting last january of 2009, so it took me 11 months.don/t give up they are a good group of people.

[lpglarry 1]

i don/t think they would deny you unless there was a reason, they do test to make sure u qualify i agree, but they always have your best interest first , i had to go through psych evals,dieticians,physicals, and training ,physical fitness ,it is a great experience and now i amm ready to get banded,

[manseaud 0]

i waitd 3 month for an appointment after intro meeting, it takes about 10 to 11 months if all goes well. I am going for lap band monday, i went to meeting last january of 2009, so it took me 11 months.don/t give up they are a good group of people.

Thanks for the encouragement and

Good luck to you!!

[lpglarry 1]

i can tell you i went to emerson hospital to there meeting 2 years ago i was not impressed, they want to just do surgery, believe me the doctors and staff at weight center are grest people, but yo u need to do all the tests or procedures before they agree to srgery

[amm.imperial 1]

Well, I started this thread ages ago, it's time I got back on board.

I got my band 4/1/08

By Christmas '08 I was down over 50lbs. In March '09, I had my 12mth visit, with a fill and the dr. said I should be good for 6mths. During that time, I developed a cyst in my spine which was causing ciatic pain. It was Sept before I had it removed after spending 3 mths out of work on disability. Percocets were my best friends. :-(

When the back was fixed, and I had no restrictions, and I was back to work and life as I had known it before, I was within 10 lbs of my starting weight.

OMG, was I depressed!!!!

I wallowed in that for a few weeks. I'm assuming we've all done that after many of the other weight loss programs we tried and failed at. One of my brothers had an arterial blockage which required 4 stents. A couple of months later, he had a major stroke. He's only 59, and they honestly didn't think he was going to make it thru the first couple of days. That was 3 weeks ago now, and he was able to tell his wife he loves her yesterday, and got the nurses to help him sit up.

While wallowing, I worried I was heading for the same medical problems. Then I remembered the main reason I loved the UMass program in the first place. Post surgical follow-up!!!

I have seen Dr. Perugini, who ordered up a barium swallow. That showed that everything is exactly where it should be and there is lots of room to tighten up the band. What a boost that did to my mood... just knowing it wasn't just my bad choices that put all this weight back on, but my restriction wasn't enough to keep me from overeating regardless of the choices I made.

I also joined the post surgery exercise class, Keep It Moving, and was reminded that even the littlest bit of activity is more than I was doing sitting in my recliner feeling sorry for myself.

The most important meeting is next week, with the behavioral person. I can't wait to go talk to her and try to figure out what goes on in my head and how I can handle it differently.

I'm excited about sharing my experience, because UMass has turned out to be what I hoped it was going to be when I went rather nervously and skeptically to that first informational meeting so very long ago. (July of 07)

So, I am still a very strong advocate for the UMass program and the time it takes to get a surgery date.