Hi!! I'm Want To Get The Lapband. I'm Going To A Mandatory Meeting On Mon. 04-04 For The First Time. After That I Can Make An Appointment With This Doctor. Can Anyone Tell Me What To Expect At This Meeting? Also , I Have Begnign Ms. Is There Anyone With Ms On Avonex That Has Had This Done That Can Tell Me What To Expect? I'd Appreciate Any Info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I

Hi Bravo, At my 1st meeting there was a large group of us there and there were several different Dr's. They just told us all about the lap-band and the pro's and con's of Lap-Band surgery. There were far more pro's than con's. They also told us what could go wrong and what is required to have the surgery. Just make sure you have all the diets you have ever been on written down and how much weight you lost with each one. They told us the difference between Lap-Band and GB. There were also several people there that had the surgery and were telling us about their journey.. We then got to ask any questions we had. It was great because I learned so much more than I already knew.

I was misdiagnosed with MS several years ago but since then I have been diagnosed with H.S.P. (hereditary spastic paraplegia) I was never on any medications for the MS. I had my surgery in Nov. 04 and my mobility has improved greatly. I walk with crutches or a walker and have for 10 years. But just this last week I took 4 steps without the aide of a walking device! This surgery is not a cure for us but it will help us greatly.

Good Luck and Welcome to LBT.

Hi terri,

We need to get together.. I live in Phoenix, but travel to flagstaff when I go camping or Motorcycle riding..I should look you up next time Im there. Hope to meet you soon.

to bravo; i am starting the same journey as you my seminar is next tue nite at 6 & my appointment is the following day wed at 3;30 so nervous. worried that my insurnace cigna wont approve unless i have been on a monitored diet for 6 mo. which i havent but i have been on every diet known to man. good luck keep us posted. sandie

Bravo, just wanted to wish you luck on regaining your health! Is your mandatory meeting for information? Mine was very helpful. A thorough film was shown (some bandsters telling of their experiences, the banding surgery, pros and cons of the band, etc.), the doctor talked afterwards and answered all ??, a successful bandster was there - sharing her experiences and answered ??. They also passed a lapband around so we could see and feel what it was like. They answered ?? about preop, insurance, self-pay, the surgery, post-op, eating, etc. The meeting was very reassuring to me...about the procedure and the doctor that I had chosen. Please let us know how things go for you.