BIG CONGRATS to you!!! What a wonderful time to hear that news. My prayers are with you, your wife, & your unborn child. Best of luck with your surgery (when the time comes). Lisa

Thank you for posting this. I now have the insurance that covers the surgery, and am trying to not get discouraged. Have been trying to get this procedure for five years now, and have hit so many obstacles..but not going to give up.

Thank you, I am excited to begin my new life. So far Dr. Blackstone has been great. I am excited to be her patient. I used to be a huge soda drinker, but found that my head would hurt when I drank alot of it. I talked to my PA and he said that it was probably effecting my blood pressure. So I quit drinking caffiene over a year ago. When I went to my consult, they told me carbonation was off limits because the carbinated water could actually streach out my stomach... So now I am a completely soda free drinker. I know eventually I will have to modify my fluid intake, but for now I drink alot of water, juicy juce, Milk, and lemonaid. I wish you continued sucess. Richard I

Hello Sally, There is a wonderful group in Albuquerque that meets twice a month. They also use Yahoo groups to keep in contact online. I would be happy to put you in contact with them if you think you would like to meet with the Albuquerque group. I was a member when I lived there. Otherwise keep posting to the site, I have not had my surgery yet, but I would be happy to help if I can. Richard I

I will be thinking of you as your date approaches. I see that you list Dr. Blackstone as your surgeon. I am from Arizona, and if you are having your surgery in May pack lots of shorts and water bottles, cuz man does it get hot (and that is an understatement). Keep us all posted. What area in New Mexico are you?