I joined this forum in January. I'm married to a very supportive husband and we have 2 dogs and 2 cats. We live near Casa Grande Arizona. Half way in between Phoenix and Tucson. I have done a lot of research on the net and have chosen to get a lap band. I have been to 2 seminars and have received a referral to a surgeon. My consult with the surgeon and my psych eval are both on Monday 4-21-08. Then in May I have to go to a class called the ABCs of lap band. My Doc is Hilario Jaurez. I expect to be put on a 6 month diet but I won't know until Monday when I see the surgeon. I hope my insurance doesn't make me jump through too many hoops. So far they haven't. I'm both nervous and excited about the surgery. I'd like to talk to other Arizonans who are just starting out too. My goal is to lose at least 105 pounds and to enjoy my life again. Good luck to all in their journeys.:crying:

Hi. I'm also from Az (Tucson) I was approved last week and will be banded on May 5th. I started the process in late Feb with a surgery consult, then went for a sleep study and had the psych eval in March, after that I was approved on April 11, had my preop visit with surgeon on 04/17 and the second half of my sleep study last night 4/18 ( I have sleep apnea) and the surgeon will not preform the surgery unless I take my CPAP machine with me to the hospital.He has arranged for me to have all my preop testing at the hospital the day of my surgery and he does not require a preop diet. I am very excited. I too hope to lose 90-100lbs.

I joined this forum in January. I'm married to a very supportive husband and we have 2 dogs and 2 cats. We live near Casa Grande Arizona. Half way in between Phoenix and Tucson. I have done a lot of research on the net and have chosen to get a lap band. I have been to 2 seminars and have received a referral to a surgeon. My consult with the surgeon and my psych eval are both on Monday 4-21-08. Then in May I have to go to a class called the ABCs of lap band. My Doc is Hilario Jaurez. I expect to be put on a 6 month diet but I won't know until Monday when I see the surgeon. I hope my insurance doesn't make me jump through too many hoops. So far they haven't. I'm both nervous and excited about the surgery. I'd like to talk to other Arizonans who are just starting out too. My goal is to lose at least 105 pounds and to enjoy my life again. Good luck to all in their journeys.:biggrin:

Hi yellowroseaz!

I'm not from Az, but I just wanted to wish you the best on your lapband journey! I hope everything works out for you. Keep us posted on your progress!

AZ people are cool. ;o)

Wow Alsorl! Your steps to surgery went by fairly quickly. I hope I have the same luck. I wish you well through your surgery and your recovery process..

Georgia Girl! You have lost a bunch of weight. I love to hear success stories. Congrats.

Wasabubblebutt Yes we Arizonans are cool. Haven't seen any postings about you and the others getting together again. Do you think you might do that again any time soon?

Edited April 20, 200818 yr by yellowroseaz
wanted to add more

Wasabubblebutt Yes we Arizonans are cool. Haven't seen any postings about you and the others getting together again. Do you think you might do that again any time soon?

Yep, due to time limitations I'm going to be turning over the AZ list to KittenQutie.

Shhhhhhh.... she doesn't know yet. ;o)

I know this post is kind of old, lol, but I wanted to say HELLO! I live in Marana just outside of Tucson! I'm getting banded May 14th down here. Just wanted to pop in and say HELLO to a couple other Zonies!

Hi to Kristeyk in Marana. That is not far from where I live. I live south of Arizona City which as I said is near Casa Grande. I survived my psych eval. Doc says he's sure I would pass that. I went to the surgical consult and Doc approved me. Now he has to submit to the ins. for final approval. Now I have to meet with a nutritionist. Things are progressing. And the surgeon says no 6 month diet. Yay! Where are you fellow Arizonans in your journeys?

Hello, my name is Elisia and I'm a newbie from Arizona I live in casagrande. I'm not banded but would like to be I just started reaching to process I'm I pretty positive that I want to be banded but I'm very scared.

I have my final consult with my surgeon tomorrow then it's hurry up and wait for th 14th to get here!!! YAY!!!!!! (Did the psych eval a few weeks ago and did the pre-op EKG, chest x-ray and bloodwork earlier today.)

Elisia, (BEAUTIFUL name by the way) the best thing you can do to help yourself get rid of some of your fear is to research, research, research, attend a seminar and go to a couple support group meetings. I don't know if your fear will completely go away, but IMHO it's healthy to have a little going into something so major anyway.

Where are you fellow Arizonans in your journeys?

DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE.. And don't wanna do it again!

DONE!!!!!!!!!!

Not that I am happy about that or anything...

Hello, my name is Elisia and I'm a newbie from Arizona I live in casagrande. I'm not banded but would like to be I just started reaching to process I'm I pretty positive that I want to be banded but I'm very scared.

So you are from Casa Grande. I live near Casa Grande. About 30 minutes south and west. How far are you in your journey? These boards are a great place to get info and support. If you have any questions at all this is a good place to ask them. There is no doc in CG that does it though. My PCP Dr. Patrick Flyte had to send me to a doc in Phoenix. Dr. Hilario Juarez. I go to the cardiologist for my surgery clearance this week. Then the first week of June I have a consult with a nutritionist. I am glad to see there is someone who lives near me on here. Most are from Phoenix or Tucson.:wink_smile:

Hi, I live in Tucson and just read your post. How did your surgery go? I have been "stalking" this web site for months. I was denied by my ins and am in the appeal process. Dr Schwartz is "to be" my doctor, I was told by his office that Chaisson did not do lapbands. Just wanted to say "hi" and hope all went well. Carolyn

Hi there!

I live in Avondale, but work in Chandler...scheduled to be banded by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana on the 16th of June. No insurance worries -- cause the policy specificaly denies this type of surgery -- so the process is a bit faster.

Nice to "meet" you!

Hi to all of you!:wink2: I would like to get together for lunch or dinner with some bandsters and bandsters to be from Arizona. Maybe in the first to middle of June. Is anyone interested? Pm me if you are interested.