I stumbled on this site while in the midst of setting up my siminar appointment a few weeks ago. I have been reading and don't usually join sites :seeya: I was impressed by the support. I have had my consultation and dietician, and therapy appointment. Just waiting for them to return their reports and submit to insurance. I have made a lot of changes in the past month since I have decided to do this, and am commited. I hope to read more and get some good info on this site. I live in Richmond, VA and CAN'T WAIT to get started!!! :biggrin2:

Congratulations Kristilaw on your banding date. I also had Dr. Brengman as my surgeon and had the surgery at St. Mary's. I felt the care I got at the hospital was great!. I've had a couple of post op visits with the NP and will have my second fill tomorrow. I'm hoping this fill will be a bit tighter as I'm able to drink great quantities of water quickly and eat more than the recommended 4oz per meal.

I thought the not being able to drink prior, during and after meals would be difficult. It wasn't as hard as I thought. I'm having trouble with the sipping water and ensuring I get the correct amount of protein on a daily basis.

I would recommend the support groups. The ones I've attended have been extremely helpful.

Good luck with your surgery; you're in great hands.

I'm behind on this discussion but I'm newly banded by Dr. Schroder at St. Mary's and I also thought that the experience was good. It's nice to know that there are others who attend the support groups on here. I've been thinking about going to some of them.

Hi guys!

I was on here tonight and was gonna ask if anyone from the Richmond area was a member and low and behold I found this thread! Yeah!

I'm in the 3 month pre insurance approval stage right now. I'm about a month into it. I have Aetna and they require either a 3 month intensive program or 6 month more relaxed program prior to considering approval for the surgery.

The surgeon I consulted with is David Elliott at HDH Parham. I really liked him and the staff there were very friendly as well.

I'm going to the Center for Integrative Medicine for this 3 month program:

~once a month visit with PCP there

~once a week with a personal trainer and 3 times a week exercise on my own

~twice a month a visit with the dietician there who supervises the NutriPoints diet

~twice a month a visit with a behavioral therapist there

Wow...it seems like a lot but I'm making some good changes prior to surgery and learning a lot in the process.

Glad to "meet" some people in the area who have used this same surgical group....

(sorry this is so loooonnnnng....)

Hey there ladies!! I was banded 2-5-2009 by Dr. Schroder and I am lovin' life! I have lost 42 pounds so far and go for my first fill this Friday the 13th. I have not gone to any support groups yet, but hope to start soon. Do any of you go and if so which one(s)? I live out in Hanover County, so we are all in the same general area!!:laugh:

Hey there ladies!! I was banded 2-5-2009 by Dr. Schroder and I am lovin' life! I have lost 42 pounds so far and go for my first fill this Friday the 13th. I have not gone to any support groups yet, but hope to start soon. Do any of you go and if so which one(s)? I live out in Hanover County, so we are all in the same general area!!:laugh:

Congratulations on your weight loss! That is fantastic. Keep up the good work. I am not consistant about going to the support groups, but I know that when I have attended they are really good. I'll throw this idea out as a suggestion for anyone who lives in the Richmond area..... What if we all decided to go to one of the meetings (pick a date) and introduce ourselves to each other. This might be another support system we could develop for and with each other. Let me know what you think.

Hey there Maw....that sounds like a good idea. Actually, I went to the meeting Monday night at St. Mary's and enjoyed it. They had a plastic surgeon from Williamsburg there and forund what he had to say very informative. I know that I am not any where near ready to start thinking about having anything done, but nice to get some good, first hand information! I want to start going to this meeting every month, let me know if you will be going next month too. Take care.......=)

I am defintely going next month and would love to meet some of my RSG band buddies! :thumbup:

Kristil

Hey Kristil, glad to hear that you will be coming to the group next month too! You and I are close together on our banding dates too....we can compare notes (I got a Realize band too)! I am really excited, I go tomorrow for my first fill, I am ready because I can easily eat more than the 4 oz I am supposed to. Were you doing that before your first fill? Can you tell a difference (big or small) since your fill? Talk to you later......

Ann =)

I am so glad to hear such good things about Brengman!

I have my first visit next week.

How much do they ask for upfront if you have insurance?

Just your deductible? All of your coinsurance?

So anxious and nervous. Thanks!

Congratulations Ellisfan!! Schroder did my surgery, but the group is just GREAT! All I have ever paid for a visit is my regular co-pay amount. Good luck......:crying:

Congratulations Ellisfan!! Schroder did my surgery, but the group is just GREAT! All I have ever paid for a visit is my regular co-pay amount. Good luck......:laugh:

I like Schroder too!!! Did you have to pay a portion of your surgery co pay before surgery? I want to be prepared.

I am starting my 2nd month of the 6 month diet. Lost 8 pounds so far!

:w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::crying:

Yes, I did have to pay my full deductible before having surgery. I had already planned on doing so, so it wasn't a total surprise. I have been back to the office once, had one band fill and will go back this Friday to have a fill done in the office. These three visits are covered under my "surgery package" and have not had to pay anything for these. You are off to a good start with losing the 8 pounds! Remember this is all about lifestyle changes, so every little thing you change will bring results. Have you gone to any of the support groups yet?

Yes, I did have to pay my full deductible before having surgery. I had already planned on doing so, so it wasn't a total surprise. I have been back to the office once, had one band fill and will go back this Friday to have a fill done in the office. These three visits are covered under my "surgery package" and have not had to pay anything for these. You are off to a good start with losing the 8 pounds! Remember this is all about lifestyle changes, so every little thing you change will bring results. Have you gone to any of the support groups yet?

I haven't gone to the groups yet I will ask when I am in the office on Monday.

I am planning on paying that as well - I called them yesterday. So no surprised

Thank you :huh2:

They did have all the groups (days and times) listed on their website. I know the one I have gone to is for those that have been banded as well as those thinking about it or waiting to have it done. Seems to be a well rounded group--no pun intended! LOL...... If you like that kind of thing, I would suggest coming. For me it helps me stay motivated even though I have a strong support network at home and at work. Good luck on your appointment Monday. I KNOW how exciting it is to be going and getting the ball rolling........

They did have all the groups (days and times) listed on their website. I know the one I have gone to is for those that have been banded as well as those thinking about it or waiting to have it done. Seems to be a well rounded group--no pun intended! LOL...... If you like that kind of thing, I would suggest coming. For me it helps me stay motivated even though I have a strong support network at home and at work. Good luck on your appointment Monday. I KNOW how exciting it is to be going and getting the ball rolling........

I will look it up! When were you banded and how is it going? :huh2: