Hi, I have been reading these threads now for several months and posted a few times. Thought now that things are starting to roll, I would introduce myself. I have been fighting weight problems since my youngest was born...and now she's 20! So I can't write it off as baby fat anymore:sad: I am 5'3" and BMI was 37.1 at my last visit to the Dr. I am being banded (hopefully, will know for sure on May 20) the first week in June. I have had my psych eval, orientation, initial surgeon's visit, seen dietician and physical therapy. Today I got bloodwork done and see the surgeon and do hospital preadmission next tuesday. Its coming at me like a freight train!:biggrin:

My insurance, or rather my employer will not approve the insurance, so I tried the VA option, as I am a veteran. No go there either unless I was willing to gain up to a BMI of 50. Now how smart was that advice! So I have gathered all my pennies together, said forget it to ever retiring and got enough together for self pay.

I will be getting the Realize Band at Columbia Bariatric Services at Boone County Hospital in Columbia MO. My doc is Dr Pitt, who has had lapband surgery himself. I would like to find others who have gone to this hospital or live nearby. I livd 2 1/2 hours from Columbia so I would not get to go there often for their support meetings unless I schedule a fill on a day that it meets. It would be nice to talk to people in the same area so we can compare notes.

OK so I am talkin to myself. Just trying to make the ticker thingy work.

Hi! I know how you feel about it all coming like a train! There's so much to do. I read someone on one these forums talking about how you can almost get consumed by it all. At least you are on the right track now. That really stinks about the insurance, though....

Yesterday I went to the final surgeons appt and preadmission to the hospital. All the hoops have been jumped through and friday I start the 10 day pre op diet. On June 2nd, I will be banded!!! Hope I make it thru the pre op diet. Thats gonna suck (no pun intended).