hey everyone! is anybody from western mass? did you use pioneer valley surgical?

Hi I chose Dr. Haag. I hav Tufts insurance. So I started this back last April. I completed everything, then found out I had to do a whole 6 month program. So it's taking me awhile. I just completed my Tufts requirements. Waiting to hear when I can get things done! I had a friend go thru the whole thing with another insurance. Once she did all the requirements, she was banding in like a month. Pretty quickly. Good luck!

MEG, I took which ever Dr. Had the first appointment. As they both came highly reccommended . The six months for me was weight watchers I had to participate in a weight loss program for six months to meet an insurance requirement. Also had to meet with psychologist and nutritionist. Good Luck with program all the prerequiste requirements should help in the success of the surgery.

Hi , Iam waiting for a surgical date how long did it take for the office to contact you once you had insurance approval? Congratulations and good luck with your surgery!

Hi maggieas,

I had the lap band done on 11/14/08 by dr. Haag. It took me about a week to get a surgery date. But I harrased them every day. I kept calling and calling. They are a little slow in that office but just make sure you push them to get the ball rolling. Good luck.:tongue2:

Brockbabe thank you for your reply about the next support group meeting being on 1/26/09. I'm just a little confused, did they change the day of the week. Last year they were all on Tuesdays. I just don't want to show up on the wrong day. Thank you

I'm not sure they gave me this date over the phone. I will check the website though.

Hi Jenny,

I GOT A jAN 30TH DATE !! I THINK THE HOLIDAYS HELD IT UP A BIT.LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING IT BEHIND ME. ANY IDEA WHY OUR DR. DOES NOT REQUIRE PRE OP DIET? HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL. MAGGIE

hey mag!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited for you. The doc made me do a pre op diet but only because my bmi was really high. He just wants to see that you can follow the rules after the surgery. I feel great and soon enough you will too. Good luck hun, let me know how you are.:thumbup::thumbup::w00t:

hI jEN , MY PRE OP APPOINTMENT IS TOMORROW i'VE REALLY BEEN WATCHING WHAT i EAT AND TRYING TO DRINK THE PROTIEN DRINK . WHAT HAPPENS AT PRE OP APPT.? E-MAIL HARP1030@AOL.COM tHANKS!

Hi Maggie...l had Dr Haag in Sept..l asked him point blank, why no pre-op diet..He said to me, it was their experience that people didn't do the pre-op diet, so they dropped it...(why should we complain)...l thought it was strange....they just don't want you to gain weight waiting for surgery.Hey, good luck...

Lisa, thanks i was just wondering as everyone else seemed to have to do pre op diet , i kept reading thru the material and could not find mention of it. I see dr. Fiallo tomorrow for pre op appt. Your doing great! Thanks again for info maggie

at your preop appt, you will take a 10 question simple test and just go over any questions you might have..its an exciting time for you...every day is great...l'm soooo happy l did this....

Lisa thanks, Yes it is an exciting time.Can't wait till next friday pm when the surgery will be completed!

Hi Maggie -

I just had my surgery with Dr Haag last Friday. I assume that you're going to be at Baystate... Everyone there was awesome. If you want to talk about anything at anytime, my email is Kmartin121@comcast.net. I'll be happy to give you my phone number. Good luck.

Kris

I spoke to the office today and the support meeting date of 1/26/09 that i have is correct. They said that they are not doing specific pre-op or post-op meetings anymore. They are all together. They are also not doing meetings in Greenfield anymore.

Is anyone going to the meeting next week? I would like to meet some of you.

Also, do you think there is any way that we can get them to bring back the post op meetings? I just had my surgery on Friday, so have obviously never been to a post-op meeting, but I can't imagine that we can get the post op support that we really need from the massive meetings that I attended before I had my surgery. If any of you that have been to a post-op support group think that they are worth bringing back, I would be willing to work on it. Part of the reason that I felt this surgery would work for me is because of the support that offered. I think it is a very important part of our success.

Sorry that this is so lengthy, but I was very disappointed when I heard that there weren't any more post-op meetings.

I was wondering for those of you who have had fills before how long it took you till you felt a good deal of restriction.