I want to say Hi to everyone and I look forward to exchanging stories and experiences with everyone. I have just started my journey to a better and healthier me. I have my initial consultation on July 8, 2008 in South San Francisco at the Kaiser facility. Although its 119 miles from my home in Roseville look forward to the start of my quest for health and a long life. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Papahemi

Papahemi - Congratulations on the beginning of your journey. The best advice I can give you (from a fellow SSF patient) is to follow your instructions and be patient. They will want you to loose around 10% of your current weight (+/-) and the sooner you do that the sooner you'll get your surgery. If you need to change an appointment, make sure to call in frequently for cancellations. They won't call you. I think that all three surgeons are good so there probably isn't anything to worry about there.

Other than it taking a while to get through the process it is well worth it. Contact me if you have any questions or just need someone to talk to.

Once again, congratulations on starting your new life.

Vicki

I used to live near Roseville..sorta. We lived in Plumas Lake near Marysville. Good luck with your surgery!!

I live in Penryn which is next to Auburn. I had my surgery on 12/12/07 and I'm very happy with it. I lost 70 pounds prior to surgery (while waiting) and have lost an additional 46 since surgery. With only 9 pounds to go until I reach goal, I find I have a little bit of a hard time staying focused. I'll loose it but I'm just not as driven to be really strict with myself.

I'm extremely happy I did this as it has truly given me my life back.

Hi Papahemi and Welcome to LBT!

Good luck with your surgery and I wish you fast healing.

Just want to say hi, and congrats to the next step in your life. I will be having my surgery in Richmond hopefully late July or August. Good Luck to you.

Latrice

Thanks so much everyone. I expect that as with any procedure at Kaiser it will take some time. The first surprise I had was my PCP actually giving me a referral. I have already lost 22 lbs in preparation for this. I am relieved to know that I have a place with experienced professional banders to ask for advice and help when I need it. Again thank you all.

I finally went to the Kaiser orientation class in South San Francisco. They really hammer the information home at a good rate. My head was really spinning by the time I left. Everyone was really nice and provided a lot of excellent nutritional information that I am going to rely heavily on in the coming months. It looks like I am on my own in my quest to lose the excess weight I carry. I was told that because I have severe sleep apnea I must be 100% CPAP compliant for two months prior to surgery. If I am not 100% CPAP compliant I WILL NOT receive a surgery date. In the 15 years since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea I have tried many times to use CPAP. I have major anxiety attacks trying to breath against the pressure of the CPAP machine. Because of this I have had to resort to using a dental appliance to help relieve most the affects of sleep apnea. It cost me $2200.00 out of pocket as Kaiser doesn't cover dental appliances. I had hoped the Lap-band assisted weight loss would help completely eliminate the apnea and improve my other so called co-morbidities. I will have to find out on my own without the help of Kaiser. More to come later on. Good Luck to all you bandsters and may you reach your GOAL sooner than you expect.