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

For all of you that have cable tv and get The Learning Channel, Starting on Monday of next week they will begin broadcasting a new show called Big Medicine. I'm looking forward to this and I'm hoping to glean more information and help out of it also. It will be on Monday evening sometime. I look forward to watching it and seeing what goes on.

Hello Meagan, Thought I'd pass along this link to help you in your decision making process... http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/wlsurgery.html Best of luck in your journey, ~Michelle ObesityHelp Member Services

I'm going to meet witha Dr May 22 2007 I am 5'9 28 yrs & around 290lbs. Drs more interested in doing the lap band vs bypass. I'm Unsure. I have a friend that had open bypass about 1 yr ago and she doing great. I have info on the band but am looking for peoples input. If you could give me any information on your experiences that would be great! -Like Weight and then time and amount lost. (I know everybody is different) -complacations -time frame eating & work with the effects it had on you Sorry if I'm being to nosey, I just want to view everything openly and with as mch information as I can get... Thanks Meagan

As a volunteer clown, participating in functions to help children, I often ride one of those silly little bikes where my knees are above the handle bars. As a chubby clown I had problems riding them. As a slim downed clown the small bikes are much easier although I prefer my carbon frame, Kestrel Road Bike now. Now that I am almost to my goal I plan to spend the next ten years riding my bike in events across the USA. The plan is to ride in five events each year which will give me whole USA after ten years. There are many bike rides sponsored annually by worthy charitable organizations. Riding my bike will allow me to help others while helping myself maintain my newfound slimness. I wanted to commit to this on the state forums as a reminder to myself that the surgery is only the first step; a life-style change is imperative if I want to maintain. I intend to do that on my bike. Kim