I know you're out there! Let's start posting here. I am in rural Tonica IL. pre-op. I have been to the education class and my first appointment with the surgeon is Dec 12th. Dr Gupta in Peoria IL.

HELLO ILLINOIS??? So let's here from you!

-Julia:p

Hello,

I am from Illinois also. Was banded 12/11/02 Northwestern Hospital Chicago, Illinois.

Hello!

I am from Northwest burbs of IL.

I am preop. My surgery date is Nov 17th.

Getting scared and excited at the same time.

Hey Illinoians! I'm going to be banded on December 22,2003 with Dr. Rossi in Peoria, IL! Write me an email if you'd like to chat!!

Hi, I am just at the beginning the lap-band process. First, trying to find out if my insurance will cover this. I have been thinking about this for about a year and now ready to take a step in the right direction. Please pass on any info you can and I am planning on going up to Peoria to have this done. Any help and support is welcomed.

I have been to an information session and i am currently waiting for my follow up visit. I am anxious, nervous, and hopeful. I think more importantly I want to be healthy and feel healthy. Years of struggling with this issue has me wondering if this will be another disappointment.

Goodmorning

Just wanted to update.

I am 16mths postop. I had my surgery done at Northwestern Hopital with Doctors Murayama and Nagel. Sad to say but Dr. Murayama is no longer with them but Dr. Nagel who took over for him is wonderful.

This surgery is the best thing I have done for MYSELF in my life. The surgery itself was one of the easiest surgeries I have gone through. I had a rough day the day of surgery but that wasn't even that bad. And every day after was easier. It was only a few days before I was feeling pretty good a little stiff but I still took it easy for a couple of weeks.

My weight loss to begin was very good and lost 60 or 70lbs. the first 7 mths. And then it really slowed down due to personal and emotional reasons. I just had to regroup. I am now down 93 lbs. and steadly loosing again. Can't wait for the century mark. My first major goal.

And this is just one of the good reasons for this band (my thinking). I needed some personal time for my head and the band just sat there waiting for me to get it all together.

If you have any question please email me I would be happy to hear from you.

340/247/living life to it's fullest

Dr. Murayama, Dr. Alex Nagel

Northwestern University Hospital Chicago, Illinois

I have my surgical consult with Dr. Rossi in Peoria, IL. I am hoping to be banded this summer.

I live near Peoria and am waiting to get approval from my insurance company for the Lap band. I see that a few of you have seen Dr Rossi or have had surgery by him.

Any words of wisdom? I am now going through sleep studies to prove a co morbid as I was denied for the surgery last year. I am 220 and my goal is 140.

I look forward to finding some time to look around on here again. It has been awhile since I have been logged in here. Was too depressing when I know I could not get the surgery. However, I am still on the mission and praying it will go through this time.

Jennifer

220/140

Hi,

I am just starting to look into the lapband surgery.

I have been dealing with my weight since grade school, although looking back it really wasn't til the end of college that my weight was really out of control.

I viewed a seminar from the WISH center and put my name in to receive a call and schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Did any of you lapbanders consider the gastric bypass surgery? Why and why not?

Thank you,

Karen

HELLO, KAREN I DID CONSIDER THE WISH CENTER BUT, I FELT LIKE IT WAS A LITTLE WAS NOT THE RIGHT PROCEDURE FOR ME, SO WHEN I WAS WATCHING THE SHARON OSBOURNE SHOW ONE DAY, SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE LAPBAND PROCEDURE SHE HAD. I THEN STARTED TO RESEARCH IT AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A SAFER WAY AND I DIDNOT HAVE TO HAVE ANYTHING REMOVED. THE INFORMATION SESSION THAT I ATTENDED INFORMED EVERYONE THAT THE BAND IS BEING CONSIDERED NOW BEFORE THE BYPAST. I AM NO EXPERT, I AM SHARING WHAT I'VE BEEN INFORMED. GET ALL THE INFOMATION TO YOUR SATISFACTION AND YOU'LL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR YOU. GOOD LUCK!

Hi,

Thank you for your response. I too think that the band would be the way to go, the bypass is just too severe.

So, where did you get banded? Who did your surgery, did you have it laproscopically?

How are you doing with the band?

Let me know, I appreciate all the info I can get.

Thanks,

Karen

Hi Everyone!

A group of us from the Peoria area who are patients of the Peoria Surgical group are planning on having lunch at Ruby Tuesday's in Morton on Saturday, May 15th - noon. This is for all pre and post op banders. Spouses are also welcome. Be sure to RSVP at Peoriabandsters - a yahoo group.

Thanks!

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to say HI. I am preop and have surgery on Sept.6th, 2005. Any other members out there with surgery in August or September 2005? Give me a quick "Hi" on email. We can go through our journey together through email.

I was approved and made my surgery date today. I start on the Pre-op diet in one week. Woo hoo!

Hope to hear from you all. lapbandforme@wmconnect.com is my email address.

Take Care! I live in Central, IL near Peoria.

hi and welcome bethany!! I will be getting banded in sept still waiting for the definate date yet. Hope it all goes well for you. Take care...Fee

Hi All-

I live northwest of Chicago and was banded on 6/15 with Dr. Horgan-

I love my band.....

Best wishes to you all.