Lap Band Support group

Hopefully I will be having Lap Band surgery this summer. I was looking at the list of support groups. I see there is a group for Lap Band now. My DH had that surgery 18 months ago and there was not a separate group for lap band.

It is the second Monday of the month so it should be May 11th. in the North 1 Conference room. Is that the same room that they were held in 18 months ago? I am not that familar with the hospital.
Is anyone here going?
Thanks!
Renate

Hi there,

Yes, that's the same room you went to last time. Have you called Dr Aranow's office to get on the sign-in list for the meeting? You have to sign in as it's the first step in having the surgery and I'd hate to have you wait until the June meeting.

I went to that information session in April and tonight I am going to the mandatory session with the nutritionist and counselor. Keep in touch -- we'll probably be having surgery around the same time.

Thank you for the info!  I saw him last fall for a consultation. We just got back yesterday from Florida. We spent the winter there. I have my appointments lined up. Wendy from Dr. A's office helped me set them up. One on May 7th with the cardiologist, dietician and ultrasound on May 15th, then on May 27th, the pscyhologist (sp) and upper GI. I also saw a DR. in Florida for 6 months to monitor my weight. Didn't lose any.
I started my food log last friday and am walking 30 minutes a day.
I will probably need to do some June meetings, because I will miss tonight's.
When I went with my DH, he signed in when we got there.

Thanks again for the info and maybe we will meet at one of the meetings. are you having Lap Band?

Renate

Hi Renate,
Welcome...I am a Band patient of Dr. Aranow's, too!  I had surgery in late December.  I attend all the support group meetings at Middlesex.  The second Monday of each month is the combines Lap Band Meeting, for both pre and post-ops.  The third Monday of each month, the post-ops meet again.  I get an amazing amount of support here on OH, but I also really enjoy the local meetings.  It is nice to connect with people using the same surgeon.

I have been thrilled with Dr. A!  He removed my gallbladder several years ago and would not have dreamed of having anyone else put in my band.  Please feel free to PM me if I can answer any questions and hopefully we'll meet at a support group meeting very soon.  Good luck with everything!

Hi Cindy,
I will be there tomorrow with my DH. He was banded 18months ago by Dr. Aranow. I saw the cadiologist last Thursday and now need to have a stress test. That test stresses me out by itself! I go on the 18th. Next Friday I meet with the dietcian and have the gallbladder ultrasound.

DH is going for a fill. He has gained about 10 pounds over the winter. He has not had a fill since last fall. We need to find a Dr. in Florida that does fills. He went too long without a fill. We spend the winters in Florida and are back in Ct. for the summers.

Hopefully I will meet you at one of the meetings. I went to all the support meetings with him.

Thanks for the info!
Renate

I will be there tomorrow night, too!  I'll keep an eye out for you and your husband.  I am sure Dr. Aranow can help both of you.  I also remember at one of the initial seminars I attended, Dr. A mentioned that if we were going away/moving, etc that we could just ask for a refferal to a good band doc.  I'm sure by next winter you will have everyting all set!  I look forward to meeting you!

Great! I am short and blonde, Dh is tall with gray hair. We will be wearing nametags. He is Mike. We asked DR. A last winter about a DR. He said he didn't know anyone and just to go online. We found one in Ocala, but DH didn't like him, he was very arrgant! I think there may be more Dr,s now near where we live.

Renate

Hi Renate,
It was great to meet you and your husband tonight!!  Sounds like things are going along smoothly for you.  I hope the timing works out well for you!  If there is anything I can do to help, just yell!!
 

Hi Cindy,
It was nice to meet you too! I found the meeting very informative! Even Mike enjoyed talking to some of the men about his experience. See you next time!

Renate

 Hi Renate,

I should have checked this thread before the meeting tonight , I didn't realize that you and your husband were going to be there. You had the pretty pink shirt on, right? I was closer to the front of the room with a black t-shirt on and brownish hair. Your husband was very funny about the port when he said he didn't need to worry about wearing a bikini! 

The next group I'll be going to will be in June. I have my upper GI tomorrow and my nutritionist visit on Thursday. I still need to see my PCP, get my initial blood work done, and see the psychologist. 

Cindy, I PMd you. I wish I had put 2 and 2 together -- as soon as I saw you I knew I recognized you!