Since no one in ND has posted, I'm hoping this will help us if we have an ND lurker out there. I am in Bismarck and starting to meet with St. A's next week. I understand today - April 27 - is the day the proctor is here to train the surgeon. I wanted this surgery 2 years ago (when my sister had WLS) but hesitated because I have to self-pay. Hoping to be banded late May - I'm eternally optimistic. Hope to hear from someone else in ND

Hi,

I'm being banded Monday morning in Bismarck by Dr. Kavlie. Having some jitters. Any last minute suggestions?

Sue

Hi Sue, I hope you surgery goes great. Are you from Bismarck?

After you get healed up you will have to meet us one night for dinner.

Only suggestion I have is take comfy clothes to go home in. I had Dr Schmit, who I think is the greatest, don't know much about Dr. Kavlie but if he is anything like my Dr. then you are in good hands.

Suzie, from what I understand Dr. K is awesome also. I really appreciate everyone at St. As. As you have read, a few of us are getting together Monday night - we will be thinking of you. We have all been there. If you need someone to talk to, pm me and I will send you my number. Are you coming to Bismarck on Sunday? Keep us updated on how everything goes. Celeste

HI to all the N.D. bandsters, I have an appointment for the 21st so I will be in Bismarck the 20th. Planning on meeting at the Walrus at 6:00 pm the 20th for dinner. Most of you all know about this but if there is anyone else that would like to join us they are more than welcome. See ya then....unless they cancel my appointment again....oh I will have to hurt them if that happens again...I need a fill dang it.

Bumping to see if anyone else wants to meet us for dinner.

Hi all you ND bansters!! Renae informed me of the gathering at the Walrus Monday nite. Looking forward to seeing you all there!! SusieQ I hope you can make it! We would love to meet you!! I had my last fill last Tuesday with our wonderful fill tech "Andy". He's the best!! I think Dr. Schmit is awesome also. I wish I could have afforded to stay here and use him!! But I also had a very good experience in Mexico. Dr. Joya is great, but he's so far away! My last trip there was quick, simple and cheap. (Missy you asked how that went) I likely wont be eating much when we meet. My fill wont let me eat afternoons or evenings. I am able to eat scrambled eggs and nuts in the morning and that is it. The rest of the day and evenings is liquids or I am in trouble!! Excellent restriction this round!! I am up to 8.7cc's in the VG band. I am sure the Walrus has soup on the menu and hey, a glass of wine will be great!! Well, I will see you all tomorrow evening!! PS - There are couple gals coming from Mont soon for fills with Dr. Schmit who had their surguries with my surgeon in Mexico. I will let you all know when they are going to be here and we can get together again and meet some new friends!!

:help: hi everyone!yes this is my first reply. just had my psyc. eval. today, and now waiting for the dr.to call and decide on a surg. date. dr. glatt in s.f. is doing it. i don;t know much about the "fill" topic. any help appreciated. i'm scared and yet waiting to start a new life. thanks kim

looking for a forum site in s.d. thanks kim

:clap2: Welcome Kim from ND!! It has to be exciting for you right now knowing you will be joining bandland soon!! Excellent support on this forum! I recently met someone from SD on this site. Well, keep us posted! Do you have a surgery date yet? You will do great!!!

Hey all...am new here to the forums. Am soooo excited, found out the other day that BCBS of ND has finally started covering this procedure effective 7/1/06. Have been calling them every 6 months for the last couple years waiting to here "yes, we are covering that now"....WOOHOO!! Anyway, I started the ball running, mailed my paperwork into doc yesterday. Am hoping I will meet BCBS "strict" guidelines and be approved. Guess we'll see in time.

Yyev,

Good luck to you in the insurance department! Isn't it more than exciting to know that your life is going to change for the better!! And welcome to the ND site! It appears that there are just a few of us that have started the ignition on the ND site once again. It was very active some time ago and then fizzled. Good to hear from bandsters close in proximity and to be bansters from here!

Welcome Yyev and Kim, Cindy - glad to hear from you again.

Its time to get the ND forum rolling again. How is everyone doing?

Anybody want to have lunch when I come back?

Celeste

WhooHoo!!! Celeste must be back in town!!! How the heck are you girl??!! When did you get back from Africa and tell us about your experience there? I thought you would be gone for a few years!! Wow!! Its so good to hear from you, girl!!! I am meeting a new banster from SD tomorrow who is coming here for a fill. The next time she is in town, maybe we should try to get together again somewhere!

Celeste,

I guess you may not be back yet after I reread you post. But it does sound as if your coming back soon. Am I on the right page this post around?

Hey fellow North Dakotans!! Cindy, wow, haven't seen you on here for a long time! Great to see you are still around! I mainly lurk around reading, I'm not doing good on the weight loss at all. I haven't lost anything since my initial loss right after surgery. I live so far away from Bismarck that I have only been able to get there twice for fills and didn't get any restriction from either one. I was at the Minot State Fair and wouldn't you know they said the office wasn't open when I was there....Just my luck!! Celeste, you are doing so awesome, how do you do it living so far away???