I was self pay so didn't have to wait on insurance.  However, I had my last pre op screening done on a Friday, that Monday they got the results and clearance and I had surgery that week on Friday.   Another gal that posts at Lapbandtalk got insurance approval early in the week and had surgery on Friday as well.  Think it all depends on the schedule.  Not sure with the holidays coming up if that will make a difference with vacations/schedules etc.   I was very pleased how quick it went.  Seminar 4/26, 1st consult 5/14, had a week long cruise the 17th to 24th and was banded 6/5. 

In Colorado Springs, they give you two choices:

1. To go to the Denver Kaiser Clinic and wait on a list.

2. Colorado Springs Surgical Accociates w/ Penrose Main (This is the one I took)

I am still in the early stages, see surgeon next Thursday, the 6th for the first time. Then have psych and Dietician visits and the set surgery date after that.

I am planning on posting the whole process, including costs. To help others figure out things too.

I need help.  I have stopped losing weight.  I'm stuck at 235/240 which is about 95 pounds down.  I find that I'm hungry, physically and mentally, a lot.  I'm about 14 months out from surgery and have been at this plateau for about 5 months.  I eat about a cup of food at each meal but I still eat slowly and so it will take me 30 to 45 minutes to eat the meal.  I've discovered that I like dumping occasionally because of the constant constipation otherwise, so I do eat some sugar or fatty foods.  I've been told that I should only eat 3 times per day by Kelly the nutritionist for Dr. Schoen, but I'm hungry more often and feel better if I eat less each time but more often. 

I'd like to hear how any of you are handling these things.  Do you find that you are actually hungry?  Do you eat more than you were told you'd be able to? 

I was never satisfied with 2 ounces, even right after my surgery, which makes me wonder if my pouch was as small as it should have been.  My husband measured everything for me until about 6 months out and it always took more than 2 ounces of anything to satisfy me.

What are your daily diets like?  How much protein do you eat and how do you get the protein in?  Can you give me some examples of what you might eat each day?

I find that I end up eating a lot of string cheese, yogurt with cereal, and arby's regular sandwiches.  I know this isn't the best diet but I'm just not sure anymore what I should be eating.  We try to eat fish a couple of times a week and I always look at how much protein is in any frozen dinner that I eat.  I've started eating some fruit as well.  I hadn't realized how much I miss fruit and vegetables.  I also live on sugar free popsicles.  Water tastes nasty to me and it used to be about all I drank.  I'm tired of crystal light, but use it anyway so I can tolerate the water.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any and all suggestions.

I am in colorado springs, but have family in Centennial so any reason to head up that way is good for me.

 would love to meet up with anyone, but I live in Florida onw. I left Colorado a year ago augest cause I couldnt stand the snow and cold.
I am however comming in January or February to see Dr. Tillquist. So maybe then.
Carla Klein