I had my lapband done in 2008 and i'm back getting the Lapband to Rny revision within the next few weeks.

The staff has always been great. Carol is the coordinator.

Your first appt, just expect to be real and open with the doctors. They are all awesome. I have Dr Newman. He will tell you about the options and ask if you have any questions.

I suggest writing some questions down and take them if you have them. Most of the doctors want to get to know you and your struggles with your weight.

Afterwards, you will have your appt set up or they will call you with your appt. If you have questions, I would suggest emailing Carol- it's the fastest way to get an answer, usually in about 24 hours or less- her hours are 9-3 m-f

Check with your insurance ahead of time to see if there is any diet requirements like a 6 month diet or something....I worked out for me b/c I did that before my initial consult.

OVerall my experience has been good........just make sure you stay on top of things and it will go smoothly.

My timeline for my revision:

11/1- initial consult

1 week later- PSY and NUT visit

Dec 18 ? -Endoscopy

Feb 1 visit with the surgeon

Feb 28 email advising info was sent to the insurance company

3/5- additional info was sent

attentive date- 3/19

You timeline can be short depending on your availability for appts.

My timeline worked for me b/c I wanted my surgery near a certain date.

inbox with any questions

I see that so many people have had VSG in other areas of the country with Medicare insurance, but there is a big stall that I am encountering with surgery scheduling. It really does not make sense. Please let me know if you have any info on this? THanks. I am very ready and the only hold up is a go-ahead for surgery date. 

I was saddened to learn that my PS Dr.Eaves (Charlotte Plastic Surgery) its leaving Charlotte and headed to Atlanta. I wanted to see if anybody had surgeons in the Charlotte area they would recommend? I am wanting to get my arms done and get pricing on a breast lift/implants as well.

I donate my clothes to InterAct, they help woman who have gotten out abusive relationships (they are located near Cameron Village in Raleigh) and I also donate to Dress for Success, they help women who are going into the work force with work appropriate clothes and shoes.

Hope that helps! Jennifer

What is the story behind one of your scars?

I have a scar on my middle finger on my right hand from an ex who used a pair of scissors on my hand while wrapping Christmas gifts. This happened when I was around 15 at the time. Much longer story to this but safe to say that relationship ended soon thereafter.

What do you "know now" that you wish you "knew then"?

How to budget better. Money wasn't a priority when I was young and dumb.

Have you ever won a prize, if so what was it?

$20 gift card to a bistro for bringing a friend to my gyms grand opening this past Friday!

What subject do you wish you had paid more attention to in school?

Math, I paid attention but didn't take it seriously. I have no plans on using it beyond academia.

If you could have coffee with someone famous, who would it be?

Julius Caesar or ****ro. Very different men from the same time. I admire both.

What is your favorite thing about your mom?

Her faith in every one of her children. I am gifted with it and cheri**** but also see it in action towards siblings and their children.

What song do you love to dance to?

Varies but I prefer songs that get the juices flowing since I dance like a two left-footed, argyle sweater wearing high-class white boy. Most songs are running songs like Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger or even Imagine Dragons - Radioactive.

What was the worst punishment your parents ever enacted?

My worst punishment was also a mistake. When I was growing up I was all about video games, had the magazine subscription to Nintendo Power and all. One day dad told me to hush and not talk about games...I lasted like 30 seconds. He grounded me, unhooked the NES and all...then forgot. Yes, he forgot I was grounded. Six months later I was home, homework done, nothing on TV. Mom asks why I'm not playing the NES. I told her why and her response was "OMG!" Then she dials dad at work and gives him hell. Somewhat broke me of video games but when you are 10ish and live in the city there wasn't much to do outside that was "safe."

Who was the best boss you ever worked for?

My current boss. He has some admirable qualities that I think allow me to enjoy my job. He does not micro-manage me and I have worked under him in the last three positions I've had at the company I currently work for, he's been my boss for three years. As he has risen in the company I've done the same. He offers constructive criticism and I've only seen him agitated to the point of anger maybe twice.

What restaurant do you love even though you know you shouldn't?

Is it weird I don't have a restaurant that I really really like? I enjoy Wild Wok for it's sushi but sadly I have no love for one particular establishment.

If you did not need the money what would you do for work?

If money wasn't an object? I'd do what I do now, software and handset engineering. I'd like to think this also frees me up to have more free time. I've considered helping with a local organization for at risk youths.

If you had an extra room in your house what would you use it for?

I'd pad it and add a bouncing floor for my nephews to play in. There are 5 of them after all plus three very younger siblings. Cousins we adopted when they were very small. So they consider me brother even though they understand how things went down.

How would you explain love to somebody who had never heard of it before?

What is love? Oh, Baby don't hurt me! don't hurt me! No more!

Seriously though, love is everything. It's what makes scientist work to find cures. It's what makes firemen rush in to burning buildings while police stop criminals. It's what makes men burn the world to ash and women nurture children. Love isn't even something I can tell someone about because it is visceral and beautiful. Without it, time would stop. Hope that makes sense...I do not want to leave a book of philosophy here for folks to yawn over.

What is your warmest birthday memory?

My first and only sleepover when I was 10. Dad dressed as Jason Voorhees and scared the bejesus out of us all.

What is a good place to travel, but you would not want to live there?

In Country: New York. Have been a few times but I don't care to live in the concrete jungle. Odd since I grew up in Baltimore City but then again, times were different.

Out Of Country: Japan, Too crowded in the cities but I love the culture.