I'm a Newbie.. Just poppin in!

Hey everyone... My name is Toni. I have been reading a lot of everyones blogs and stories and looking at all the before and after pics and I am soooo amazed with the results.. I don't know if I am posting in the right place or not but I have had my consult with Dr. Irgau and I have scheduled all the PMRI, cardiologist, pumonologist, hematologist appts.. and I am waiting for my GI appt to be scheduled. I really liked CHRIAS and everyone was so nice... I hope to be getting approved for the Lap-Band surgery.... I am sure I will be asking questions.. I am 110% sure I want to do this but also 110% nervous as can be!!!! I am a baby when it comes to pain!!! But it will be worth it I am sure.. well I am always looking for new friends and hearing anyones experiences so I promise I don't bite if anyone wants to reply! Thanks for reading... Toni

Hi Toni and welcome to the Delaware OH site.  There's a wealth of information to be had here and no question is too silly or stupid.  It -does- get a bit slow around here but keep checking us out. It sounds like you have all your ducks in a row for all your pre-op requirements.  I just love Dr. Irgau and the staff at CHRIAS, although my location doesn't allow me the chance to see them.  My after-care has been taken up by my PCP since I haven't had any surgery related complications. Again, welcome to our support site and good luck with all of your appointments!  Keep us informed of your progress.

Toni, You have came to the right place. Congradulations on your decision. I welcome you to the Delaware board and look forward to reading your post and following your journey. See you on the loser's bench, where there is always room for one more. Joanne

Hi Toni, Welcome to OH!  You'll be suprised how fast time will go and all you appointments will be finished and you'll be telling us when you surgery is!! Best of luck and if you have any questions just ask. Judy

I sure hope that they go by fast! I am so excited that I can hardly sleep at night!!!!!!

Hey Toni,   Welcome aboard.....I had my Lap Band surgery done by Dr Irgau on 9-11-06...He is awesome in the OR and on office visits.  You will get nervous and doubts prior to the surgery, and if you are like me, you might have a regret or 2 immedatley after the surgery saying to yourself " what the hell did I just do to mysel....I will never be able to eat normally againf". But believe me, those thoughts went away real quick. This was the best thing that I did for myself. A little advice, is to continue to read the posts on the Delaware and Lap Band OH Board...You will learn so much from other existing weightloss patients....You will also get alot of encouragement from reading those posts. Do not hesitate to ask questions on the board, of course as well fom Dr "I".  If you can attend the local lap band support monthly meetings (this Thursday at 7:00), where you can talk to other pre and post patients.  Best of Luck and again you will have no regrets......Dave 

Thank you guys!! You all seem so wonderful! I would like to attend the meeting! I was reading that  some were at Victory Church in New Castle?? Is that where this will be??? I have been doing soooo much research on this surgery and it's like I just want the time to pass now! Every time I go to the store I'm like.. Wow.. I will fit into that one day.. and all these problems with being overweight will go away.. So the one question I wanted to ask anyone who has went though CHRIAS is how long it generally takes from initial consult to surgery date?? They told me probably about 3 months but if I have all my appts done before April and my insurance is approving it will they still make me wait?? Thanks again for the welcome! Look forward to joining everyone on the "losers bench"

3 months is pretty much on the mark for a timeline from consult to surgery.  My consult was in May and I hoped to be on the table by the end of July but due to some unexpected stress test results in July, I didn't make it to the table until October.  However, my ORIGINAL date for surgery was August 5...just about 3 months from consult.  So barring any delays, the estimated timeline is pretty accurate.  Once you get insurance approval, they will call you almost immediately with your date.  At least that is what happened ith me.  It was Misty, and she called and said, "I just got your approval today and am calling to set up your surgery date."  She actually let me pick the date.  Dr. Wynn was my original surgeon of choice but she was booked until the first of the year 2007, but Irgau had openings so I chose the first one...October 4, 2006. Good luck and keep us in the know!

The one Lap Band support group meeting is held on the last Thursday of each month at 7:00pm located at he following link. (which is right in the rear of Dr Irgaus office building.... Welcome to Delaware:)  Great Beginnings South is held at the lobby of First State Surgery Center, 1000 Twin C Lane, Suite 200, Newark, DE 19713, on the last Thursday of each month, 7-8:30PM.     I slso went through CHRIAS and itr took about 3 months from start to finish...If you are already, I guess it depends on Dr Irgaus scheduale...

On February 25, 2008 at 7:03 PM Pacific Time, AKTurner wrote: Thank you guys!! You all seem so wonderful! I would like to attend the meeting! I was reading that  some were at Victory Church in New Castle?? Is that where this will be??? I have been doing soooo much research on this surgery and it's like I just want the time to pass now! Every time I go to the store I'm like.. Wow.. I will fit into that one day.. and all these problems with being overweight will go away.. So the one question I wanted to ask anyone who has went though CHRIAS is how long it generally takes from initial consult to surgery date?? They told me probably about 3 months but if I have all my appts done before April and my insurance is approving it will they still make me wait?? Thanks again for the welcome! Look forward to joining everyone on the "losers bench" Toni,
  Welcome aboard.....I had my Lap Band surgery done by Dr Irgau on 5-30-07...He is great in the OR and on office visits. My starting weight was 469 and now I'm down to 332... and i feel great... my goal is 250. This was by far the best time I have ever done for myself. Oh and by the way Victory Church is off of route 40 at Wilton Blvd - next to the Walmart... I'm not shue what meeting is going on there but thats the location...  good luck, twink