Shortgal: Thanks for the link to the CT page!

I'm new to all this and just getting started trying to get everything ready to go for a surgery date!

I've done a lot of reading and this feels right.. I have family support which means alot to me ..some have said "You don't need it.." "You just need to try harder at WW.." But, i'm sticking with this..I'm 100% willing and ready to help myself this year.

This is what I have so far..

-Physical date (March 3rd) since I need a letter from Dr. to insur company.

-My yearly date at the obgyn ..this is not 100% related, but I'm picking up my weight history for the past five years..I've been good about going there.. just not to my regular doctor.

-I'm signed up for the meeting/orientation for Middlesex Hospital on March 18th..and after I'm done with that..then I can call and make a date to meet face to face with a surgeon. I think it will end up being with Dr.Aranow.

And so for now.. I'm just waiting. I hate waiting! I glad that my physical is close, so that I can ask the doctor anything she might know about this process..and a time line..

Thanks for reading my mini-book I just typed out!

Anyone just starting out in CT? Anyone that can tell me about the process at Middlesex Hospital?? :eek:

Thanks,

Kristen

Kristen:

Glad you found the CT group. I'm not in your area, so I can't help with info on your Dr/hospital.

My best advice to newcomers to be sure you understand and follow the pre-op and post op diet and then become educated about the "fill" process. There are some good threads on the forum about "how the band works" and "how fills work". They were very helpful to me.

The band might give you some restriction after surgery from post op swelling. Once that goes down, you might be able to eat like you did before surgery. Once the Dr. starts the fill process you will start to get restriction. Everyone is different, so it might take several fills before you get there.

Good Luck on your journey.

Welcome Kristen,

After starting my journey in Oct. 2006, I was finally banded on Monday, Feb. 11th, 2008. Dr. Nadzam from New Haven banded me. My recovery has been relatively pain free. I feel so fortunate. I was sore, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting things to be worse. I didn't need any painkillers in the hospital and asked for one Tylenol for a headache. I took good care of myself this week and rested. I am carefully following the diet instructions. So far so good!!! Good luck to you as your journey begins. I have met many people here and on Obesityhelp.com who have used Dr. Aranow and have been very happy. Let us know how you make out!

:thumbup:Hi Kristen

I am a registered nurse and I did a lot of research prior to going with Dr. Tischler at Hartford Hospital. I would look at your physician of choice on the CT.gov Portal website under public health look for physician profile it will tell you a little about your physician. I would ask your doctor how many surgeries he has done ans what kind of complications they had. Did anyone have to go on IV feeds because of complications or feeding tubes. If the answe is NO.....then that's a good doctor. Middlesex is a good hospital but a private hospital which runs a little different than teaching hospitals. I would also be sure to attend the support meetings where you will get to know other people who have had surgery by him. There is a lot of information in those meetings. It is a tool to assist you with losing it not the be all to end all for being overweight. You should be evaluated well with psychological testing, nutritionist, cardiology, GI series and sleep study. As well as a myriad of blood work...including a diabetic 2 hour sugar test.

Good luck and welcome to our group. I started my process in October of 2007 saw MD on 12/27 and my paperwork was completed and submitted to insurance by 1/31 and I had approval on 2/7. My date is 3/12 for surgery. I have BC/BS PPO State of Ct. as my husband is a retired state worker.

Hope this information helps....

sharon:)