Newbie Here

I am new to the post from Anne Arundel County and have tons of questions in regards to lap band surgery. I havent seen any doctors in regards to getting the surgery but will do so when I get more info...I, like another recent "poster", have Optimum Choice and was told that this type of surgery was excluded..I will need to get a copy of my EOC and riders to see for myself..What were some of your beginning processes?..when did you come to the realization that you really needed the extra push?... Plump in Pasadena, ~Heather~

Hi Heather, i am having lap band surgery on May 24th; with Dr. Schweitzer at Hopkins Bayview. You can view his info on his web site smallscar.com I made my consultation on feb 23,had a March 23 consultation and I am being banded on May 24th. I am very happy with how quickly things are moving. I am 45 and have been overweight for about 15 years. I have tried Weigh****chers numerous times with only short term results. I knew I needed help to keep this offf for a lifetime so I can be around for my adult children. Good Luck with your WL journey. Phyllis

Welcome Heather. Nice to have you join us. I'm not too fat from you. I'm in the Irvington part of Balt City right near St. Agnes. I had lap RNY with Dr. von Reudin at GBMC 7 months ago today. I am feeling better each and every day. Diabetes gone. Kidney Disease under good control. Sleep apnea nearly gone. the list keeps growing. Glad you found us. Aime

Heather, Welcome to the Maryland board. I'm an over 3 year out RNY-er so I can't help with band questions but we do have a growing group of bandsters who I am sure will be happy to answer questions. We have a lively group both on and off the board. I look forward to getting to know you better! Hugs, Mo

Hi Heather and welcome to the MD boards. I had open rny with Dr Magnuson at Bayview. They have a great surgery team (I'm sure they all use that same with Dr S) The hospital stay was not heaven but it was mostly at night. You can only have someone stay with you if you have a private room or no one is in the room with you. I found that out last minute. I was a little mad because they told me otherwise but really when it came to it at night I was ready for some alone time to rest. Good luck on your wls journey and keep us posted. I have a support group in Crofton. Next meeting is Tuesday May 29th from 6-8 p.m. at the Crofon Branch Library. you can go on there website and get directions. Would love to have you come. We dont have any Lap-banders but you can see what goes on life after surgery. Warning they are a lively bunch but we all love and support one another and have agreat time

Well I am new to this site as well and just had my consultation this past week. I am hoping to have the surgery in June. I came to the conclusion to have this procedure last november. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 18 (I am now 34) and I realized I just could not do it by myself anymore. I went to a simenar at St. Agnes Hospital and I got a lot of information. I also started getting books and doing a lot of research on line. Finally I went to see my primary doctor and my diebetic doctor and talk with the two of them. Both doctors strongly suggeted the Lap Band procedure. I am actually starting to get really excited about it. I am waiting to get my physic evaluation completed (hopefully next week) and then we can schedule surgery. Read as much as you can and write down all of your questions and take them with you to the doctors. As far as insurance goes, I actually have BCBS Federal and they pay 100% and I have a $100 co-pay. I also was not required to have the 6 months supervised weight lost program prior, so I was very lucky. The hardest part was getting the 2 years worth of medical records. That took 4 months.

Hi, Heather. I have just started the process also. I'm into my 2nd month of hoop jumping. I also live in Pasadena. There's a support group at the Crofton Library on the 29th. Want to go? Barb

Okay, enough Heather's already!!! ;) hehehe I think you are our 4th (me included). I was banded on 9/14/06 and it was the best decision of my life. I see Dr. Schweitzer (www.smallscar.com) who is wonderful and a leader in the Lap-Band field. The best thing you can do is document all of your dieting attempts/failures and list your health issues, doctors, medications. My extra push was realizing that diabetes and high blood pressure was going to kill me and leave my 2 year old without a Mommy.

Thank you for all of your replys...I still dont know how to approach my doctor..I have never had a doctor tell me I needed to lose weight...or suggested a different diet..etc..I have a BMI of 47.6...Im 5'4 276 pounds..but other then that I am healthy..I have no high blood pressure..though it is getting higher, I dont have diabetes...etc..I do snore..I cant really walk continuously without my back hurting....but nothing major...