UMass Memorial Weight Center (Worcester, MA)

Hi I am a new poster here my name is Meridith and I am at the very begining of the road. I went to the surgical info meeting on the 24th and now I am waiting to hear from Umass.

Hi Meridith ... Welcome!  My name is Jessica.  I am nearing the end of my process with UMass.  I just had my consultation appointment today with Dr. Czerniach.  All I have to do now is wait to hear back regarding insurance approval and getting a surgery date.  I'm hoping to have surgery by the beginning of March.  When I heard that the whole process was going to take about 6-8 months ... I thought to myself ... Good God!  It did seem like a long time at first, but honestly ... it went by really fast.  They really want to make sure that you are  emotionally/mentally/physically ready for this life change.  I wish you all the luck with your process ... keep in touch!        

Thank you Jessica,  I sm excited to get the process started. I know that every next step brings me closer. Meri

Hi Jessica and all, I had Dr. Czerniach for my banding at UMass and he is wonderful! Did you say you are you being banded? I atttend the meetings with Claudia... I sit in the front row, right side as well....Keep us posted! It really helps to have support. Blessings, Mary

Hi Mary, I am going to have Dr. Czerniach for my surgeon as well.  I am waiting to get my surgery date.  Hopefully it will be at the beginning of March.  I will be having the Gastric Bypass surgery.  It definitely does help to have support.  This website has been a big help. 

Hi everyone,  I want to start the process to have lap band surgery. I am trying to decide between Mass General & UMASS. It seems like most of you had it done at UMASS & were happy with the results.  How long were you in the hospital?  What is your typical diet now that you have the lapband?

I had my lap band surgery at Umass with Dr. Perrugini and he has been wonderful.  It took me 6 months to go thru the process and have the surgery.  It has been a year and a half and just had some issues that put me back in to the hospital for a few days - but my doctor was great and was able to get me fixed up and back out.  I am staring back from the beginning but I'm okay - I'm still down 60 pounds and ready to loose more. My first hospital stay was only a day - I had my surgery on Thursday, came home on Friday and was back at work on Monday.  Sore but back at work. This time around I had surgery on both Wed & Thur due to a blockage but Dr. Perrugini was able to repair it and I kept my band (thank goodness!).  I came home Friday night and rested over the weekend.  I was back at my office on Monday morning again - I am more sore this time but each day it does get better.   I love my band - the weight loss is slower and I'm okay with that!   Good luck to you!!

Hi Beth!  Thanks for the reply.  I am sorry you had some issues :( I hope you are feeling better now.  What caused the blockage?  Congrats on the amazing weight loss!  For those that had the surgery what was your BMI?