starting a new thread for anyone who has or is considering surgery thru the Brigham/Falkner program.

~Mel

surgery 11/13/07 Dr Vernon

-35lbs

Tova,

Are you going on Tuesday?

It is on my schedule to go on Tuesday - I hope everything works out, I really miss coming

Tova

Tova it will be great to see you if you can make it! I am planning on going..may be late depending on traffic so save me a seat.

There is a study that says that many with the 14cc band feel their restriction around the halfway point, everyone is different so dont compare.Right now I am around 7.6 and was at an all time high time high of 9.0 which was much too tight and wasnt losing. Id like to be around 8.1 but we'll see how this fill goes in the next few weeks

I am planning on going..may be late depending on traffic so save me a seat. :smile:

It was great seeing you last night - I realize how going to meetings is really a great help for me, I feel totally refocused - I had a great day today even though I traveled alot, I took my sons to camp in upstate New York.

Tova

I finally felt like a meeting was worthwhile for the first time in a long time! I'm so pleased that there were so many experienced people at the meeting. Thank you for those of you who came and told us about your experience! It was a welcomed change to finally be focused on post-surgery and behavioral changes! Tova, hope we'll see you next time, too! Glad to hear you made it to NY and back without any issues! :thumbup:

I agree that it was a good meeting and its helped me keep on battling. Feel like I need the support more now that right after surgery....that was a time for learning and experience the newness of it...now its time to face the real demons of why/how I use food in my life

Ive lost the 4lbs Ive gain but have to face two showers, a cookout and a birthday party this weekend!

I agree about the importance of coming to support meetings now that I am two years out. I left the meeting with new energy to stay focused and lost threee pounds this week.

Tova

Another fill for me today. This one might be just what I need or put me over the top. I'm still trying to train my eyes/brain to realize the portion I think I need is way too big for what will actually take me from hungry to not hungry. I hope I didn't gain weight again.

It was a time for learning and experience the newness of it...now its time to face the real demons of why/how I use food in my life

Hi tinyw!

As for understanding behavioral food issues , the why-s and how-s, twelve step is excellent for that.

Phone meetings and face to face meetings go on all week, but some of the stricter groups are really not that welcoming of WL surgical members and tend to have a snobbish attitude towards wl surgery. (they say we took the easy way out and don't know anything...HA!) One has to keep it hidden if one is to be accepted and above all ,welcomed. I was a member for a long time, but found that I needed the help of the band to help me as I worked out these issues.

There are more liberal, welcoming support groups around in the OA branches, though.

But...one DOES acquire self knowledge regarding food and behavior. That is one thing OA excells in with working the steps. I find what I learned (and am still learning)to be a great aid in living with my Band, even though I am not a 'veteran' Bandster by an means.

FWIW

After FINALLY getting through to Dr. Robinson's office I finally have a surgery date for August 27. I am also ok'd from insurance. I am really excited to start this journey into a new life.

After FINALLY getting through to Dr. Robinson's office I finally have a surgery date for August 27. I am also ok'd from insurance. I am really excited to start this journey into a new life.

Hi K8, that is great news. Congrats.

I too finally got through to jennifer after weeks of not getting any call backs. I met with Dr. Robinson to go over all the cardiac stuff I had to go through back in may and he said lets go ahead and call Jennifer and make an appt. Well I asked if there was a chance I could get in next month and he then proceeded to look at me like I was CRAZY! He said I'm pretty much booked till December. I want to cry. I feel like it's not going to happen for me. Is this a sign?

I also told him how I had a hard time getting an earlier appointment because Jennifer was not returning my calls. His response was wow, that's strange, I always get compliments on how quickly she gets back to people and I've had her working for me for 9 yrs. He did say he would talk to her. So I left the office and immediatley called her to see if she can by any small miracle get me in sooner. It looks like she called my cell this morning at like 8 but didn't leave a message. Maybe she was calling to B%tch at me for ratting her out.. LOL

Just very discouraged and very frustrated! I have everything in place and ready to go. I've lost about 12lbs so far, so that's at least exciting! :juggle:

Hope everyone is doing well with their journey.

Sandy :0)

My first appointment with Dr. Robinson was in April and I just got banded a week ago!

I bet you will get in sooner Sandy! I feel I get in touch with Jennifer if you call around 1pm. Just my experience!

Good luck

Alanna

if anyone receives a puzzling email regarding jewelry, please disregard: it was a reply sent to a company from my email and it is showing up as going to lapbandtalk. I have no idea where it disappeared to!!?

Hi K8, that is great news. Congrats.

I too finally got through to jennifer after weeks of not getting any call backs. I met with Dr. Robinson to go over all the cardiac stuff I had to go through back in may and he said lets go ahead and call Jennifer and make an appt. Well I asked if there was a chance I could get in next month and he then proceeded to look at me like I was CRAZY! He said I'm pretty much booked till December. I want to cry. I feel like it's not going to happen for me. Is this a sign?

I also told him how I had a hard time getting an earlier appointment because Jennifer was not returning my calls. His response was wow, that's strange, I always get compliments on how quickly she gets back to people and I've had her working for me for 9 yrs. He did say he would talk to her. So I left the office and immediatley called her to see if she can by any small miracle get me in sooner. It looks like she called my cell this morning at like 8 but didn't leave a message. Maybe she was calling to B%tch at me for ratting her out.. LOL

Just very discouraged and very frustrated! I have everything in place and ready to go. I've lost about 12lbs so far, so that's at least exciting!

Hope everyone is doing well with their journey.

Sandy :0)

I also have had problems with getting a hold of jennifer. I, even this morning, called to make sure they received the ok from my insurance and she asked if she had told me about meeting with the anesthesiologist and what not and my answer was no [but in my head it was-well if you would return my calls and call me back when you say this would all be scheduled-but i did not say that] She asked my contact number and said she would call me back in 10 mins and of course never called me back. I usually get through to her by being nicely-aggressive. I call multiple times a day in order to actually get something completed with our conversations. I pseudo chose my surgery date. Im getting it done at the faulkner august 27th. So i really need to see the anesthesiologist soon and figure out what needs to be done prior to surgery. You will def get in before December. Dr. Robinson, atleast after talking to him, doesnt like having his patients wait too long after being ok'd by insurance - an in and out sort of deal. Just keep calling and don't feel like you are being intrusive. Im calling tomorrow since she didnt call me back today so I can get my pre-op stuff done.

Good luck and keep me posted

- k8:laugh:

Hi muffet, k_8 and thinking!

Things are rolling along , although I agree that the process could be made easier by prompt office cooperation.

Everyone complains and when it is mention there is a look of surprise. A tip for the future to make your life easier:

when you are in the office(Brigh)for an appt, make the next one before you walk out the door to save yourself 'phone torture' in scheduling the next visit..

August will be here TOMORROW! so the aug procedure is not that far away...hold on, k8.

Thinking..you have been through a lot to get this far, but the day will come..hang in there.

How are you feeling now Muffet? Doing ok in the heat?

Good to hear from you .