Hey, just wondering if anyone else is going to Casco Bay.. I got a call this morning for my meeting with "social worker" and wondered who and what comes next.. I assume its the dietician and then figuring out what tests I need to have done,, sleep, ultrasound and such.. can anyone tell me?? the suspense is killing me lol... all this waiting and thinking.. I'm just not patient enough!! I'm totally psyched to see the shrink on Friday,, what a freak!

I too am going through Casco Bay, I have just completed my appointment with the dietician and am now waiting for an appointment with the Doctor. I will be seeing Dr. Wolff. I know how it feels JUST WAITING!

I went through MMC's program, but it's been a while since I did my pre-op work (a year to a year and a half ago) so I'm not sure if what I'll write here is still their process.

I first met with my surgeon and attended an informational seminar and then about a week later met with the social worker and the dietician . Then, about two months later I met again with the social worker and the dietician for round two of appointments and then about two weeks after that I signed my consent for surgery with Dr Cobean.

Which social worker do you have? I've met both and they both seem lovely. None of my appointments were scary, though MMC did employ a social worker that many people has issues with way back when I was first in the program.... She's not there any longer though.

Let us know how it goes!

My appointment with the social worker went well, although she did think that seeing a CB Therapist was a good idea, echoing what my PCP thought. I couldn't believe it but I was able to get an appointment within two days. That went okay also,, losts of talking and getting sidetracked I felt, but it helped me figure out where I am with everything and what I need to be working on.. I meet with her again next week after my first appointment with the dietician. I am looking forward to that also to get her opinion on what and how much I should be eating at this stage. I was seeing a nutritionist anyways but think that my calorie intake is too much.. I'm still not losing anything even after stepping up my exercise. casco Bay is now requiring you lose 5% of your weight whether your insurance requires it or not. I hate the guessing, I want straight forward at my next therapy appointment about if she thinks I am going to have to wait 6 months or not,, I have really been getting a handle on my stress and don't want the therapy to cause me more!!!!

how is everyone else in maine doing??

I went through Casco Bay Surgery, and I really liked how they treated me. Dr. Wolfe was fantastic!! I love her.

Hi All, I go Casco Bay. Tuesday is my surgery with Dr. Wolff.

I have enjoyed the staff there. I did go to an outside social worker due to overcrowding and to speed up the process. I think that was and is the most important part of the whole program.

I graduated what I call Charm School with the phsyc a couple of weeks ago. At first it was kind of scary because now we will only meet on an as needed basis. But then I realized it should be cause for celebration that I have turned a corner and am ready for the next phase and to regain my life again.

Waiting for Tuesday........................

Congratulations!! I have my final appointment with my psyche next week, and have some angst about going it alone also, but I asked if I could call if something came up and she said yes...

Are you nervous?? I know I have gone through different emotions often about the whole process, but the bottom line is losing the weight and being healthier. I will be thinking of you Tuesday,, hope your recovery is quick and uneventful!! Let us know how everything goes..

:shades_smile:

I have had the range of emotions lately. Yesterday was depression and boredom with the shakes and just waiting for it to get here. Am doing okay today so far. Have a busy day tomorrow at work so that should make for a much less anxious day. When I did get up this morning I was counting the hours until then.

Thanks for your thoughts and concerns and I will let you know how things go.

Hi All, So far so good. In by 10:30 out, out by 4:30. Just like a drycleaner!!!

I am really surprised that I am home already even with a CPAP.

I had a Jello and popsicle in the hospital and have had 2 boullions and a shake at home. We'll see if tomorrow is the 'reality bites' day..............

Hey, All.

I am 18 months post lap-band (Dr. Wolff). I am 62 lbs down, with another 25 pounds to go. This last leg of the race is slow-going, but I feel great. More energy than I have had in a long time. Don't be discouraged - stay the course - if you fall, get right back up and start again.

You will be glad you did!

Rachel

Thats wonderful, I'm really happy for you. I can't wait to feel better and more motivated to do more. I just got the call from Dr. Wolffe's office to meet her at the end of the month,, hope it won't be long after that.. It is starting to feel like its not going to happen. I'm sure everyone got to that point at the end of the process.

Rkidder, what was you toughest time after surgery and why?

I was banded on the 30th of December with Dr. Wolff, so far I am doing great. Returned to work 3 days later with minimal pain.:confused: No just waiting to lose some weight!

Thats fabulous encouragement for recovery. I am starting to think about those things now that I am getting closer. I was out of my office just one day and it took me all day just to get my head back on track, I would hate to miss more then that.. Be well and stay away from those who aren't.. There is a terrible stomach flu going around here,, 4 days and I'm still foggy!

Keep us posted on how your doing..

Toughest time was the first week post-op - port site pain and very "gassy" from use of Oxycodone - chose to give up using Oxycodone and just "tough it out". I was back to work within 2 weeks - but did not do alot of lifting for another 2 more weeks (I am an RN on a busy med-surg floor). Another tough time was my first time I was "stuck" - scary. You will figure out what foods to avoid and which foods are best. It helps to make the protein fruit smoothies - I use unflavored whey protein powder with frozen fruit and yogurt in my smoothie maker - sometimes I don't get enough protein in my diet - recently had an "unfill", because I was too tight and was not losing any weight.

Hey "wicked!"

I am just getting back into the process - I've seen the social worker and nutritionist in the fall but since I delayed the surgery, I have to see the nutritionist again before seeing the surgeon. I personally liked meeting with the social worker - she gave me great insight into the weight loss journey and it was fun talking to someone who didn't know me (like friends & family) and who could be objective about my reasons for wanting the surgery.

Who is your surgeon? I was just curious if someone has discussed all the medical expenses you are going to incur? I've been on other "banding" boards and some people are paying thousands of dollars out of pocket after the first year for fills, etc. Have you heard anything?

Edited February 5, 200917 yr by Gaila

I had my appointment with the surgeon and all went well. I ended up having to do a barium swallow.. yuck.. and interesting having to flip flop on a tilted table with an inch of space to move in.. The surgeon got everything ready for her assistant and told me that my insurance had changed their policies 2 days before my appointment. I either had to be diabetic with other comorbities or have high blood pressure,, I'm border line diabetic treated with meds so the surgeon didn't know whether they would approve or not. The assistant was confident... who knows.. I have pre op on 2/17 and start my pre op diet that day, surgery will be on 3/3... I won't know if the insurance approved until I have done pre op for 1 week,,, argghh. I had lost weight so as long as I don't gain everything will be a go on approval. I'm truly disappointed with this, but am trying very hard not to dwell, it is not easy though... "whatever will be will be"

So tell me where you all are at!