Hi All!!

Hi All first I'd like to say that this is the nicest group of folks on a message board I've ever seen!!! Well I'm still in the beginning of the journey. So far I have the seminar done, the blood work, the referral from my pcp, and unfortunately I mailed my information packet off on monday the 12th, and it came back to me yesterday, because I didn't put enough postage on it.....grrrrrrrrrrrrrr......I used the automated machine at the post office because I was too impatient to wait in line....I have a feeling this process towards surgery is going to teach me a thing or two about patience.....I feel so discouraged when I read about how long it takes to get appointments and such (I'm going to MO.Bariatric Services in Columbia) I thought I'd get my paperwork to them and get an appt. the next week.....and I agree with others that Leslie is the one to talk to at the office....I have only dealt with the other front office gals a couple of times and they were less than helpful....well anyways that's where I'm at....was anyone at the seminar in springfield.....I might make that another post...

Welcome to the board Kim! Yes this journey WILL teach you about patience!!! That's a GIVEN, so prepare yourself now! Your story about your envelope is comical although I'm sure it was also frustrating to say the least. Have you seen the announcement posted by Claudette K. about the CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Bariatric support group. A few of us started it a few months ago out of NEED for a group that is open to anyone! Please join us! You'll learn much from post-ops and other pre-ops who are jumping through hoops still. Any and all questions are welcome, bring anyone you'd like to bring. Our group is just "Bariatric Patients" and a very open forum. Hope to see ya.the next meeting is the 26th of Feb. Tami

Hi I have to go look for that post is the group here in springfield? I'm looking to network with some springfield people who have either had the surgery (or ban-but I'm going for the RNY) or who are pursuing it in columbia like myself., yeah the mail coming back was kinda funny, seeing as I had just got off the phone for the second time with the clinic to check and see if they had received my papers....and they were sitting in my own mailbox..... oops.

I see Claudette beat me to a reply but MANY folks you see on this board come to our meetings, plus many you don't see here. So come check us out. I've had Rny as have most everyone else in our group but last month a pre-op Bander came. We asked her to keep on coming so others interested in that could learn from her. It REALLY helps to get to know others going through this, I can't stress that enough. Tami

Hi Kim, Did you know you can fax the info to them at MO Bariatrics? Okay-so anyway-I had my surgery there-with Dr. Fearing, and 2 of my good friends had theirs there as well, Sherr had Dr. Ramashwamy and Melissa had Dr. Scott. Mel and I are going to the support group in Springfield and WOULD LOVE to meet you! That would be so awesome...... I did ALL of my own testing except for the upper GI and then the actual surgery. Carrie was wonderful for doing those for me, and Leslie got the ball rolling- the girls at the front desk leave ALOT to be desired, thats for sure. I dont like how they always treat us like we are an inconvienence for EXPECTING them to do what they get paid to do-argh!! I will have to tell you the story some time of how I lost it with them 5 days before my surgery- but at least we can tell you who to tt, and who will get things done-we didnt have that!! We had to do it all through trial and error!! So, do you know who you will have as a surgeon yet? Anyone in mind? Let me know and like I said-would love to see you at the support meeting-they are the most awesome people/meeting AROUND!!!

Hi Janet! I will def. try and come meet everyone at the support group, we are a one car family so it will depend on what is going on that nite. And I didn't think about faxing the forms back, but I did take them to the post office again today (this time I stood in the line) and sent them priority mail. I don't know which dr. I'll get, on the form where it asked which one I wanted I checked "the first available appt" already I feel like I've been on this journey a long time and it's only been 7 weeks since I read the first book and scheduled my seminar.....actually I take back saying "only" 7 weeks, because it's a long time....7 years ago my best pal in florida (where I'm from) had a RNY, and there was no seminar, no pysch eval, no jumping thru hoops at all, all she had to do was get her pcp to refer her, make a appt, get insurance approval, and get a surgery date, it took about a month from the time she told me she was going to have bariatric surgery to the day I was visiting her post op....oh how I wi**** were like that now....when I told her all the things I have to do she was amazed! but I have evverything done, seminar, pysch eval, blood work, referal from pcp, paperwork....I even have my "option A" things lined up already.....so hopefully if I can keep my tact I'll be able to get appts. made really fast.....I'm all paranoid too since they weighed us at the seminar and said if we gain any more weight they won't do surgery....I've already gained another lb........ grrrrrr.....so now am looking at doing some liquid fasts to get some weight off.... it's ridiculous how fast I gain weight..... 100lbs of what I'm carrying I gained in 1 year..... oi....thanks for the response and I look forward to being in touch with everyone and sharing stories! kim

Kim hi and welcome to the board. I was gone all day yesterday and didnt get to greet you then but am here now . About the support meeting on the 26th im sure that since you live in Springfield that if you want to come to the meeting there is someone that will be willing to pick you up for it if you want.. Jan