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

Wow Missy!! Great hear from you once again!!! Hey, I think you and I have a lot in common!! I am down 35 lbs and have been holding for months on end!! I am the queen of the "slow loosers club!!" :scared:Hey, at least I am not gaining! I am at 9cc's for a fill too!! Go figure on that one!! I am however, contemplating a teeny, tiny fill right now. I know how to eat around the band like pro now!! Nobody's fault but my own!! I have started to walk since this god-forsaken heat has finally let up a little. Great to hear from you again, Missy!

Celeste,

Lunch would be great sometime. I would love to visit with someone who has been through the experience. When are you going to be back in town? I don't live in Bismarck, however my family does and I do make it home from time to time.

North dakota forum is alive and kicking.

IMHO, I have turned into a great bandster story. Before I left the US, I bought a couple of size 10 outfits thinking I may get into them someday. they hang on me now. If I do wear 12s, I have to safety pin the skirts or pants to keep them on.

YYev, where do you live? Missy, I can't remember where you are either.

Cindy, I'm not moving back yet just coming for a couple of weeks. Quit eating around the band or else you will have to come live here for awhile.

I leave here 7am Wednesday (North Dakota time) and arrive Thursday night.. Friday I am going to have annual dr appointments and see Dr. Schmit. I'm gonna hang around Bismarck for the weekend. Monday I'm going to start riding motorcycle around ND, SD, and Mn, Labor Day weekend I' meeting about 50 of my relatives in Alexandria. After that I will return to Bismarck until Sept 10 - when I fly out. And I get here Sept 12. Gosh, I hate these eternal flights.

I am leaving time in case I have any additional dr stuff. There are no approved medical facilities and dr in this country. The closest is South Africa - about 2 1/2 hours by air.

Probably TMI but can you tell I'm anxious to have a couple of 'normal' weeks back in the US. But this week I am enjoying living here. Email me phone numbers and stuff and I will try and call when I'm back or if I ride through your town. Celeste

Celeste,

I live in Jamestown. Sounds like you have a heck of a journey to get home. Wow! Good for you, size 10, too big. What I wouldn't give to be there again. I will email you with phone #'s.

Yyvonne

Yyvonne - I'll be through Jamestown a couple of times. I will give you a call. Before I got my band, my cousin was banded and just talking to her one time helped clarify lots of things for me. Talk to you soon. Celeste

Good God, Celeste! You must look like one hot harley road queen banana!! It will be great to see you again!!!

Hi everyone. I am also from Jamestown. Hoping to be banded sometime soon. I am also awaiting insurance stuff. I would love to get more information from all of you.

Hey, welcome Jodi. Cool, nice to have someone in town to go through the process with. Good luck on the insurance stuff!

Yyvonne

Hey thanks. I have BCBS I hope it all works out. I'm not even sure if I qualify. I might be to heavy. I don't know all the guidelines yet.

I leave here in 30 hours for the US (and arrive Thurssday night). I am so excited. I have been eating terrible all week and got on the scale this morning and found I was up to 149! I wonder if that's the popcorn and candy bars I had for dinner last night - oh, and almost a bottle of wine too. Yeah, that explains it.

My fridge is cleaned out so its Protein shakes for meals except tonight when the neighbor invited me for steak! His cook is supposed to make the best marinade around here for steaks. Maybe when I get back he will teach me. I have ordered a portable grill so that will help.

The temperatures in Bismarck are the same as the temperatures here this week. Around 80 during the day and 50s at night. Of course, when I get back, the hot season will be starting here.

Did I say that I am excited??? I don't even want to go take a shower and go to work. If Im this way today, it will be difficult to go on Wednesday morning - but I have to attend a couple of meetings. Later. celeste

Well I got my appt today for Dr.Schmidt in Bismarck. I meet with him on Sept 12th all day. I will do my psch eval, nutritional assesment, and pre op physical. I think after that it will be the surgery. I am so excited but nervous. My husband is having it done also but not sure if we can do it the same day. We have a 5 year old daughter so it might be better to wait a couple weeks between. If we do that I'm going first. So happy..

Jodi

Well everyone I have my date. I will be having my surgery Oct 12th with Dr. Schmit. I am very excited.

Jodi:) :girl_hug:

Well everyone I have my date. I will be having my surgery Oct 12th with Dr. Schmit. I am very excited.

Jodi:)

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm very happy for you!

Congratulations on getting a date. Good luck and keep us posted.

FYI, when I started buying clothing in the US I found out I am a size 6 or 8. But I did gain 5 pounds on vacation. And became addicted to chocolate - something I never like before.

Thanks everyone for the congrats. I got what might be a silly question but maybe someone can help me answer it. Actually its two questions. 1. What will I feel like immeadiately after I wake up? And the next day?

2. After time goes by can you feel you have something differnt inside you, I guess I'm wondering if you stretch or bend can you feel that port?

Thanks