Made it to the seminar.

Well, I didn't screw up this week. I went to the seminar last night and the two hours flew by. I already knew most of the stuff from researching here and other places. It was still good to here a living breathing person go through it all. I really enjoyed too hearing other people ask questions. My husband and I really liked the mannerisms of Dr. Geller. He is charming and funny. I think he will have a way of putting you at ease. He had lots of information and answered everyones questions. I really like the fact that he didn't push either surgery over the other. It amazed me that there were people there last night that had driven as much as 175 miles to be there. I thought my 40 was a lot. I'm really excited. I've already filled out my packet. I called my PCP and scheduled a complete physical. She can't get me in until the 12th of Sept. I'm not sure I need this exactly for my insurance company but thought I might so I scheduled it. I'm trying to get in touch with Ford's Benefits rep to see what it says in the policy in regards to what is needed. I've called the insurance company twice and have gotten different answers both times. A girl my husband works with had Lap-band around 15 months ago and she didn't have to do the 6month diet. I don't know if that's changed or not. Dr. Geller said last night that insurance companies are throwing more stipulations and it's always changing. I'm hopefull though because the contract Ford has with their employees hasn't changed in the last couple years and I don't think they can make changes to our insurance without telling us. I could be wrong. I do know that If I"m going to do this I need to do it before contract comes up next year in Sept. Who knows what benefits we will lose. My husband has been on temp. layoff last two weeks and I think he'll have 5 more weeks before the end of the year. I really think the Lapband is going to do the trick for me. I'm good at being on a diet until I get to the point of being tired of being hungry. I started dieting this summer off and on at first back in June then more seriously in the last month... I've lost 16 pounds. I've gone from 274 to 258. But I know it's just a matter of time before I fall off the wagon. With the band I think that if I'm not hungry I'll really lose the weight this time. Talk to you all later. Kathy W.

I'm glad you made it to your seminar!! LoL I am also especially glad that you found it very interesting and informative. It's amazing, isn't it? I thought, gosh these next 2 hours are going to take forever and I'm gonna be bored stiff; yada, yada, yada. I mean after all I have researched this stuff for almost 5 years! What else could I know? Well duh, a lot has changed in five years! The room was crowded with what I estimated to be around 50 or so people. I was one of the last ones to leave. I was there for almost 3 1/2 hours!!!! I am doing less than 30 grams of carb a day diet and it's difficult. I started it about three weeks ago and I've only lost 6 pounds. I don't know if that is right or should I be losing more? I'll just keep pluging it along. (exercise--LoL) Well, congratulations on your seminar--it's sooooo cool that you enjoyed it! Take care-- Dee

Hi Kathy! I was at the seminar, too!! I kept looking around the room wondering which one you were! I set beside a lady with blonde hair (which you told me you have) and I kept wondering if her name was Kathy W. But she left before I could ask her her name at the end of the seminar. Since you were with your husband there, I know which one you were now. I was the one that my cell phone started ringing and I had to rush outside the door really fast. I also went on to the support group after the seminar and I loved it! Everyone was soooooo friendly and so happy to answer any of my questions. I am going to keep going to their monthly support groups, because I think I can pick up a wealth of knowledge just listening to the members that have already been through the lap gastric bypass surgery. Dr. Shina is my surgeon, but two years ago Dr. Geller was going to be the one that was going to do my lapband surgery (before insurance denied the claim). Anyway, hope to see you at the next support meeting!! Kathy V

Kathy, I wish I'd known. I would have loved to meet you. We stayed until Dr. Geller stoped talking which was around 8 pm. When we went over to check out the support group no one was there.... It was just in the area behind the seminar??? Anyway... hopefully we will meet someday. I kinda remember the cell phone going off...lol. Talk to you soon. KathyW

Hi Kathy! I wasn't quite sure which one you were and I hated to go up to different blondes and ask if their name was "Kathy"! LOL!! Anyway, I will definitely come up to you the next time and introduce myself. The support group was straight back in the back of the room, but you had to turn left and go down a hall to another room that had four big long tables all in a circle and we faced each other and talked, there were probably about 15 of us in there. It was such a good discussion and everyone was so friendly, it was much more personal than the seminar. Do you plan to come in September the last Tuesday of the month? Hopefully I will see you there!! :_p KathyV