Introductions are in order.

Hola, everyone. My name is Zedrick. I was on here before but I decided to try and lose weight without the surgery so I stopped visiting the site. But since I messed up my ankle and my knees are starting to hurt, I am now opting to go under the knife. =| I already talked to the doc and now I got an appointment with the dietician on the 30th and am waiting for the surgeons call back to set-up an appointment afterwards. I just visited the podiatrist this weekend and got an ankle brace to help with the exercise. I walk around the track for about 20 minutes 3 times a week. So I got the ball rolling. Let's see what happens from here. Actually it was Robert's posts and that really pushed me to make the decision, so thanks Rob. It was very good to hear things from the young male's perspective for a change.

Hi Zedrick! Welcome to the Hawaii board! Not to chase you away or anything , but did you check the 20 something OH boards too? They might have other males in your age bracket that might be able to shed some light on what to expect from a males point of view. Aloha, Kris

Hi Zedrick, I am pre-op and my surgeon is Dr. Balfour. I have all my tests completed and one more Psych appt. before I get a date. I hang out over on the BMI over 50 board always lots going on over there. I think I'm going to start coming here more often though because it's so nice to talk to people so close. Jamie

Oh, forgot to mention if you're interested here is a link for a Hawaii WLS group that a couple of Hawaii people started. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hawaii-OSSG/ We're in the process of planning another get together, so I hope you'll come and meet everybody! I went to the last get together at the zoo and it was a blast! Hawaii pre-ops/post-ops invited to join!

Hello Zedrick, I'm seeing Dr. Steven Fowler at Castle Medical Center for the Lap-Band surgery. It's a new program & I'm like one of the first ones from this program to receive it from Castle Hosp. I live in Waipahu but have to travel to Castle to get my tests done and everything else but it's worth it. Everything is done and we are not awaiting a surgery date. I've been ready since Jan. 2006 but they have to coordinate the surgery rooms and have Dr's from the Mainland come over ???. Anyway, I'm patient. Nice to see some people in the Hawaii are posting on the board now. I use to look in here but no one from Hawaii would post. Glad to hear from everyone. Take care and God Bless. Jackie

Hi Jackie, so nice to see someone else is getting the Lapband. I had mine on 12/07/04. I am very happy with the surgery. If you have any questions you'd like to ask me feel free to call me at work on weekdays at 971-7199 or e-mail me at [email protected]. I also read the OH Lapband forum and LapBandTalk.com. My advice to anyone who is having surgery is find out as much information as you can. Aloha, Paula

Hello Paula ~ You remember me? Wow, that's great. I was having it done by Dr. Cirangel until he wanted $6,000???? I forget already. Something I could not afford at the time. I know Dr. Steven Fowler is new but he has Dr. Lapschies working with him as a team. I figure Dr's will always have a 1st patient so why not me? Hahaha.......... Anyway, he is currently a general surgeon and I checked his credentials. Thanks for the concern. I felt better when he said that Dr. Lapschies will be in with him doing the surgery together. Dr. Fowler requires $600 for the program fees. I am currently scheduled for 3/21/06 but it is subject to change because it's a new program. That's the hard part. Waiting and postponing the dates. It get's to be somewhat frustrating. You lost alot of weight already. Wow!!! You're my inspiration! I cannot wait to be your size. Take care and thank you, thank you for writing. Jackie

Hi Jackie!!! I think you have me confused with Paula. I was the one that wrote to you. I'm Pat Nicely, remember? I will keep you in my prayers. Keep me updated on your surgery date. I think I should be pretty much recovered from my TT by the end of this month. I live in Kaneohe, and would love to come visit you at Castle Hospital. It's really a beautiful hospital. I'm glad to hear that Dr. Lapchies will be in charge of the surgery. Don't forget to keep me updated!!!! Love and aloha, Pat Nicely

Hi Jackie I saw your posts earlier when I first started *lurking* on OH and then you stopped, so I thought maybe you moved away or something? But I'm glad to see you back again! I try to check this board as often as possible cause I want to be able to meet others in Hawaii who are going through the process or have already had WLS. Hope you can make the next Hawaii-OSSG get together! The link is: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hawaii-OSSG/ It's nice to be able to talk to others who has gone through similiar weight struggles/issues as me. Meeting Dee, Paula and Kema at the last get together was AWESOME! To be able to talk to them and find out how life is after WLS was exactly what I needed to continue on my journey. Nicest bunch of people I've ever met! Aloha, Kris

Hi Jackie!!! I was just wondering, weren't you having your surgery done by Dr. Paul Cirangle from San Francisco? Have you changed your mind? He did my surgery on January 10, 2005 and he is an awesome specialist in his field. I live in Kaneohe and heard that Dr. Fowler is really new in this field. Will Dr. Cirangle be in charge of doing the surgery? Don't get me wrong, but I was just concerned about you. I just had my TT on Monday and am recovering at home. Please feel free to e-mail me at anytime. Have a wonderful week and God Bless you and yours!!! Hugs and aloha, Pat 261/148/125