A vermonter in need of other vermonters

Hello...My name is Heidi. I am just learning about the Lap ban surgery, I have been dieting and working out for the past 6 months and only have lost around 9 pds. I have also been going to my doctors for the past 4 months to have regular check up regarding my weight. He put me on welbutrine 4 months ago and it has only helped a little. I talked to him yesterday during my monthly visit and asked him if I could possibly get the lap ban surgery done. He has refered me to Dr. Spaulding at Fletcher Allen Hospital. I am just really scared and excited all at once. I really need to know what to expect and what the process is, like how long I will have to wait, how long before I get the surgury done....all that good stuff. Anyway, is ther anyone out there that would be willing to be a friend during this? I could really use one. Thanks Heidi

Hi Heidi, Just wanted to give you a couple of links in case you haven't stumbled upon them yet. Here's a link to the VT roster of members perhaps you could PM a local: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VT/roster.html and here's the link to the Lapband Forum: http://obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/a,messageboard/board_id,5359/ Hope this helps, ~Michelle OH Member Services

Hi Heidi, I haven't been on this site for awhile and just came across your post. Best email to reach me at is [email protected] I am preparing for lap band surgery right now through the same practice. Dr. Forgionne is the surgeon in Dr. Spauldings practice that performs the lap band. I've explored this option for about 1.5 years. It's at least a six month process mostly for insurance reasons. There is a lot of education that goes on regarding the emotional and behavioral changes needed for long term weight loss. I found out Friday my insurance Cigna has approved my surgery. I'll be calling the office tomorrow to set a date. I understand that excited and scared feeling all at once. I'd be happy to correspond with you as you go along in your process. I live in Montpelier. Andrea

So it is three years later and I am terribly dissapointed at my experience. If I didn't lose on the physicians time line I was berated and accused of not being compliant. I spent 1.5 years making and breaking appointments with this office. It was just too emotionally upsetting to me. I found the staff to be arrogant and not understanding of the deep metabolic complexities of Diabetes and obesity.

I am now working with a surgeon at Dartmouth Hitch**** to take out the lap band and do a gastric bypass. I asked for this at FA and was told I wasn't "big enough."

Cigna denied the gastric and we are about to do an appeal.

Hi Heidi, Did you get the post I sent about a week ago? Hope you are well. I have a surgery date, July 2nd...