My husband works for the Women's Pen here in York and he found out through some of his co-workers who had the surgery done.  So, when I finally got the nerve to do this, my physician here in York (who has now passed away) recommended Dr. Sudan.  I made the appointment and they submitted it to BCBS.  About a week later, I received my approval letter. 

As for the band, I will be having the RealizeBand procedure done.

Hi! Im planning on attending also, but would like to know what all you do?. is it just speakers talking, or is there interaction...In what was is it helpful?
thanks Becci

You mean you didn't have any problems with Ronda?

  In my case, it is the exact opposite.  Creighton finally hired someone to do the billing (Rose) and she is the one that told me that Ronda dropped the ball on my case.  Since July, I have tried to talk to Ronda by leaving numerous messages on her answering machine and with her receptionist (Deon-who is extremely rude to me on the phone).  I confronted Deon as to why when I leave a message with her it is not transferred to Ronda.  She became totally out of hand saying that she had never received any messages from me and when I asked for her supervisor, she hung up on me. 

Ronda always gives me the excuse that she called me and didn't want to leave a message because she wanted to talk to me in person.  I confronted her that according to my phone log (cell phone) there are no missed calls from Creighton.  Then Ronda would turn things around and say she must have called the other Teresa Johnson???  I have told Ronda numerous times that if a call comes in as unavailable or I do recognize the number, then I won't answer.  I feel if someone is tryng to reach me that is important, they would in most cir****tances leave a message.  Ronda says that she doesn't like to leave messages.  This has gone on since July, when I was finally able to get a hold of her by phone and asked why it has been 3 months since I completed all of my labs and she literally "scolded" me for not getting this all taken care of sooner in regards to some of my lab results not reaching their office.  I asked her how would I know if something was missing, if I didn't know.  She continued on belittling me for several minutes. 

I just hope that I am pleased with Dr. Farse, whom I have never met.  My surgery is on 10/07 and my visit with him is on 10/01.

Today, I started my own regimen of a soft food diet and protein shakes (Unjury Chicken Soup) and will continue this until 09/24, when I will start the protein drinks full force.  I just don't want anything to happen in surgery with my liver, like I read in some of the blogs and posts.

Teresa, My Dr. would like his patients to lose at least 15#, I believe. It just makes it easier to get to when the liver isn't so fat. When I had my surgery in 02 we were on liquids for about 2 weeks. Broth, sugar-free jello, water,water, water. I got a snow cone maker and made crystal lite slush's. I really got sick of water and I still love crystal lite. I drank so Propel too. If you are doing good then go to anything that will run off a spoon, like very thin mashed potatoes(I got Betty C. 4 cheeses instant)cottage cheese(mashed with a fork), some sugar free puddings.I also give anyone in our support group a 3 minuet egg timer because it should be 3 minets between bites. And a infant spoon so we take tiny bites. I still put my fork or spoon down after every bite...and use a pie plate. If you need me, my email is [email protected]. Beth

I hope you can make it, your daughters can come also. All the WLS gatherings I have been to, its open for support people too. Beth