I am from Rogersville and would love to have someone sort of local to buddy up with and share experiences. I know several people who have had RNY, but no one who has been banded. My surgeon is Dr. Hodge in Johnson City, and pending insurance approval, my surgery will be sometime in July. Is anyone out there who would also like a local bud?

Hi Amy!

I'm across the hill north of you in Virginia, a little west of Jonesville. I had my surgery in March. I've not done so well with the weight loss, but I believe that it is partly due to my age, heck I'm 55, and 6 years past menopause, so things have really slowed down with me to the point of crawling.

I had my surgery in Hazard Kentucky. I had met everyone in Dr. Weiss's office at a seminar and really liked them. So we opted to stay with them. My husband had the band too. He's doing fantastic with it. Darn man! :thumbdown:

Wish I lived just a little closer.

Dianne

I don't live there now but I did live in Kingsport and Johnson City and my in-laws still live in Kingsport. I miss the mountains so much. I live in Fla now and I love it but not as much as the mountains. I was banded here in Florida on 06-17-09 and I will have my first fill on 07-07-09. I lost 7lbs. pre-op and 10lbs. post-op so far. Hope you have a good experience and looks like you found some people there to talk to. Good Luck.

Amy,

You and I had exchanged notes last summer. I am in Kingsport and have not had LB surgery yet but hope to resume my pre-surgery process this summer.

Please keep me posted on your progress.

Good luck with your surgery. I'm excited for you!

Best regards,

Dee:thumbup:

I remember you, Dee. I wondered where you had been. I was banded Tuesday, July 7. So far, so good. Keep me posted on how things are going for you! Good luck!

Aivey,

If you don't mind my asking, were you banded with a LapBand or Realize gastric band?

Thanks.

Dee:smile:

I don't mind you asking at all. I have the LapBand. That is the only one my doctor uses, but it really wouldn't have made a big difference to me. I do like that the LapBand has the precurved sections, but I also like the low profile of the Realize port. I'm just really happy I stuck with my decision and did it. Every day, I feel better and better. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I know I had plenty, and I'm sure I'll have plenty more as my journey continues.

Take care!

I live in Bristol, VA. I haven't had it done yet, but the VA (Veteran's Admin) has now offered/suggested twice that I have it done and they pay for it. Had blood tests done, I already have a ECG, Psych and Ultrasound scheduled for Feb/March. Assuming those are okay, I have to attend 12 weekly meetings and then it's done. I don't have any other complications other than Apnea. BP, Blood sugar are always normal or just slightly elevated. I've been lucky so far.

I was in the '91 Gulf War, exposed to low levels of nerve gas and gained since then. I recently weighed the most in my life at 398 and it really sucks. Gained 50 since my mom passed May 2009.

I don't recall, but I think they said it would be done in West Virginia.

Crap I just noticed the age of this thread...

Edited February 7, 201016 yr by rrose1968
update

Don't worry about the age of the thread...I still check in from time to time.

Good luck to you! I'm sure you will do well.

I enjoyed revisiting this thread.

Aivey - congrats on your weight loss.

I'm trying to decide between the gastric band and the sleeve. I had to start over on the pre-op insurance requirements because it had been more than one year.

RRose - good luck with your decision/journey.

Dee:smile2:

hi im from kingsport asnd having the lapband done in mexico because my insurance wont pay! email me anytime or call nikki6055@yahoo.com 423-963-6275 i need a buddy also!