Newbie - Dr. Jawad's forum?

Hi all - I am new to this site.  Went for my initial consult at Dr. Jawad's office yesterday.  Learned a lot and am really hopeful and excited - for the first time in a long time! Nikki at Dr. Jawad's office told us about this site, and said there was a very active forum of patients here.  I have looked, but haven't found you all.  Can anyone assist me with where to find the big discussion group?  I went in thinking I would go for lapband... but left contemplating RNY.  For those of you who thought about lapband, but went with RNY, any regrets?  Any of you have any major complications?  Dr. Jawad sounds so competent that they calmed a lot of my fears about the more invasive surgery... but... just curious as to your experiences. Very much looking forward to getting to know you online - and maybe in person!  I'm in the Orlando area. Thanks for your help! Mary

Mary, I did the same thing as you.  I made my appointment thinking lapband and while talking with his other patients and the ones on this board as well I switched.  He is doing my RNY on July 2nd.  My first appointment was on April 20th so my approval was fast.  I am going to attach the link to his forum.   http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/forums/?ID=98424294 0 You also can get to it from his page on this site, it is on the top on the right opposite from his picture.  Any yes we are very active.   Sandy Wesley

Hi Mary, I am one of Dr. Jawads patients and I had the lap band originally and had to be revised over to the RNY.  You can check out my profile if you would like. I'm also very active on his message board and hope to see you over there. I'm also here in Orlando. Theres a support meeting here in Orlando for Dr. J's patients as well as others on the 25th of June, are you attending??  Anyways, if you have any questions I'd be more than happy to answer them for you!!  Jo Ann

Hi JoAnn - yes I am planning to attend the meeting on the 25th!  Looking forward to meeting you then! Mary

I just requested information from Dr. Jawad's office today, but haven't heard anything back yet. Would anyone mind telling me the process of getting approved for WLS with Dr. Jawad? What is the first step? If insurance paid for it, what did you have to do? My insurance will pay 90% after certain criteria are met. One being a 6 month monitored diet program. How does this work? Who monitors it? Ali