I am new to this board. Is there a group that is specific to the Hampton Roads/Peninsula area? I'm going through the process at the WLSC in Newport News and would love to talk with some local people who have used the same doctors.

Thanks!:biggrin:

Carla, I'm here for you :wink_smile:

Been there done that, love Dr. T!!!!! AND his nurse Danni

He's awesome.

HarleyNana,

Do you go to the support group meetings? I used to attend Weight Watchers and I didn't care for those meetings. Do you know if the support group meetings are similar?

I am glad to assist you as well.

No I don't go to the support meetings - due to the fact I travel and I live in Chesapeake. (1 hour plus drive there plus drive back home.)

I find HERE is my best support system -- day or night 24/7 on my schedule.

I did go before the surgery - 1x required, and 2x after. They are interesting and had good info - so don't let me discourage you from going.

I think I am going to try it. I'm going to call the office on Monday to ask about the pre-op testing, support group meeting times and about seeing the nutritionist before surgery. Dr. T said it would be pretty quick scheduling since I am self-pay but I work shift work so I'm going to have to do all these things around my work. I would love to get as much scheduled/done ASAP.

I saw Doc T on 3/1 and they could have scheduled my surgery 4/2 - but I pushed it back to 4/9 due to work obligations.

Remember the blood work has to be within 2 weeks of the surgery (if I remember correctly).

Good Luck!

Carla, I think you'll enjoy the support meetings for a while, at least until you're more comfortable with your band. I stopped in last year, first time in two years. I may go this spring, I always forget when they're having them. Also, when I was first banded, they didn't have separate support meetings for the band and the full bypass, which they do now.

I wouldn't compare with WW meetings either.

Oh yeah, I was self pay too AND Dr. T's FIRST lapband surgery.

Carla, you never called, did you change your mind about lapband?

HarleyNana,

No I haven't changed my mind. I forgot I had to work overtime. I'm on nights right now and I'm usually a zombie. I am done with nights for the month after Friday night. It doesn't help that I'm kind of shy either :thumbup:

You would think with the work I do I could call anybody but its different when you are calling as a private person and not a 911 employee.

I promise, I will call. I just have to get up the nerve.

I did start my liquid diet today and the Protein drink is terrible. I don't know how I will get through a month of this (before & after surgery) but I will survive.

I watched my EMMI video today but didn't really learn anything new. I go for my 3 hr class on Tuesday so hopefully the nutritionist will be able to give me some hints on how to survive the drinks. I'm definitely going to need variety.

Thanks for thinking about me and I WILL talk to you soon.

Carla

Carla, I'm very easy to talk to, ask the NJ thread girls :confused:.

Call me before you spend a lot of money on things or stuff you may not need. Also, see my post about my mix with the magic bullet blender.

You have to do preop liquids YIKES.

HarleyNana,

When I went to the seminar Dr. T said no pre-op diet required, but in the literature, it lists the 14 day pre-op diet so I figured I misunderstood.

I'm trying to do it but I am not a nice person right now. I'm grouchy already on nights and adding drinking Protein that tastes terrible into the mix is not a pretty picture.

Hi, y'all. I just went to the seminar last night with Dr. Clark. I went last May but got *distracted* for a bit so I had to restart yesterday. Everyone seems so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I'm trying to get this going. I'm having insurance issues so we'll see how it goes.

Great News!!!!!

I take it YOU wanted to redo the seminar -- I went to the bypass seminar Sept. 06 and changed my mind at the last minute to lapband in March 07 - and they never asked or mentioned going to the free seminar again. I had surgery April of 07.

Congrat's again!

I had/have Dr. Terricina - but have meet and talked with Dr Clark at the support meetings. They are both good.

Dr T - actually performed the surgery LIVE on the web - I can find the link if you wish to see it -- while Dr C narrated the steps and concerns.

I live in Chesapeake -- and am very happy with my decision.

Nice to meet ya! No, actually when I called the office to see if I could start up the process again last month, they said if it'd been over 6 months since my seminar, I had to start all over again. It's ok, I got to ask more specific questions this time from Dr. Clark because I'd had a chance to read up on it and learn from the folks here. I felt I am more equipped now to make a solid decision.

Let me ask you, about how often do you have to go to the office in Newport News? I hate driving on the Peninsula and that was one of my hinderances in the beginning. Then I realized I can drive it if it'll save my life, ya know?

Nice to meet ya! No, actually when I called the office to see if I could start up the process again last month, they said if it'd been over 6 months since my seminar, I had to start all over again. It's ok, I got to ask more specific questions this time from Dr. Clark because I'd had a chance to read up on it and learn from the folks here. I felt I am more equipped now to make a solid decision.

Let me ask you, about how often do you have to go to the office in Newport News? I hate driving on the Peninsula and that was one of my hinderances in the beginning. Then I realized I can drive it if it'll save my life, ya know?

Went to his office 2 weeks prior - then preop testing in Hampton then surgery, and post op (2 weeks after) - then every 6 weeks for fill appt for me 4 times then as needed.

It is not that bad truly! I hate the drive usually as well.

If you need a partner - I can always tag along. :eek:

Or - listen to a book on tape (I use my ipod and audible.com)

Thanks, Gina! I appreciate your offer!

I hadn't thought about doing the audiobook thing; which is odd, when I drive across the state to visit my folks I always listed to audiobooks! LOL I might have to check out the audible.com site. I just got a Zune for Christmas and that might be a great option.