Hey everyone! I will admit while this is my first post, I have been a "lurker" for months since beginning my research stage of this life changing decision. I went to my first seminar back in Aug 2008 and am THRILLED to report that I found out yesterday that I have been approved by insurance!

Reading everyone's stories (good and bad) and seeing all the love and support offered up here definitely helped me make some choices and gave me comfort that I will have a "family" who completely understands my experience!

I grew up in Florida but have been in Charlotte, NC for 10 years now. HUGE NASCAR fan, love being with and making new friends, enjoy all types of music, traveling, among other things. I really look forward to getting to know you all and thank you for making this board so fantastic!

They will actually mail you a list of things and ideas you can drink. Right now, I'm drinking a fruit blend, getting really hungry but I have just been looking on this site at before and after pictures. haha trying to keep myself motivated. My fiancee is a chef so I'm hoping he can help me!!! BTW...love the idea of meeting each other and going through this together! WHen is your date?

Kim hasn't scheduled a date since my approval letter is still en route, but believes it should be sometime in June given the scheduling timeframes. I can't wait to get that date. I think your idea for distracting by coming here is a great one! I do that too, and also go to cnn.com etc and read all the health articles. haha.

Maybe we could plan to meet up sometime for a refreshing liquid beverage! :rolleyes2:

haha sounds good! we could go to jamba juice or smoothie king, im sure that would be less tempting than another restaurant. :rolleyes2:

I started my journey in September, 2008, and was preapproved in January. I then was denied and appealed. I finally had my surgery last Thursday 16th. I am new to this too. My surgeon was Dr. Moran in Raleigh.

Hi there New B

Congrats on your surgery. Sounds like your recovery has been fast and smooth.

I was banded on the 23rd April and am doing ok (touch wood!). Feeling a lot better now that I can have full fluids (milk, yoghurt, Protein drinks, smoothies, pureed Soups, etc).

In case you might be interested, wanted to let you know that there's a forum for all the April bandster's HERE - in case you'd like to share experiences with others of us being banded at around the same time. It's a wonderful place for support.

Also, you've been added to the list of April bandsters HERE.

Hey Newstart, do you remember about how long it took to get your surgery date once Dr V's office rec'd your approval letter from insurance? I provided my letter yesterday and was told he needs to review my file - again - and then the scheduler will be in touch....with the nature of my work i would love to have a little visability on this but dont want to harass them!

Well I was self pay- so once my file was on Dr. V desk it took about a week and a half until they called to schedule the surgery. They schedule out about a month.

Excellent! Thanks! And we really do need to plan a little meet up!

Hey Everyone! I am planning on getting banded with Dr.V soon and I am in the middle of all of the crazy testing he requires! It is so nice to see people in the area and around my age that are working with the same doctor!

Hey Desiree, good to "meet" you! It is great that another Dr V patient is checking in on here.

I hope your process moves faster than mine ...I just got my surgery date yesterday but finished all my pre-op appts and tests back on Feb 17th...it took them about 2 months after that to finalize my file and send off to insurance - but my insurance only took a week to approve - then it was another 2 weeks (yesterday) to get my date for 6 weeks from now...

I know there are monthly support group meetings, but I'm thinking that with the growing number of us Charlotteans here it would be cool to have an informal meetup every so often to support each other...I KNOW I could benefit from that.

That sounds GREAT Racegirl. I hope it doesn't take too long. I am REALLY anxious to get this done and started already! I would love to try to plan a meet-up with people on here. It would be especially nice to meet people that are seeing Dr.V! We can talk about how strange the shows on his tv in the waiting area are.... lol

I see that alot of us are in Charlotte North Carolina. Maybe we can get together somewhere and talk about our journeys and Keep each on track with the program. I was just approved Yesterday 5/14/09, my surgery is schedulde for June 18th. Let me know if anyone is interested in getting a group going?

I am willing to get together with anyone who has time! I think that this is going to be a tough journey and it is important to know people that are going through the same things! (I work until 10pm Mon - Fri)

Hi. I flew from Charlotte to Denver for my surgery since I was self pay. I am almost at my goal. I have 24 pounds to go. Good luck to you.