I think you were probably responding to Mary Beth, but just in case--I am getting the RNY surgery. I always wanted the RNY anyway, but fyi DHMC lost its lap surgeon. When I startedthe process last February my BMI was over 55 so I didn't qualify for the Laproscopic surgery and I was worried I was going to have to go with the open , but now my BMI is down to 52 so I get the Laproscopic RNY--yay!

I went to Fletcher Allen in Burlington in 02/2006 however, they were just getting their Lapband program setup. The Dr. there had only done about 30 Lapband surgeries and I had a previous open gallbladder and he felt that I would have too much scar tissue for him to deal with. I was very disappointed to say the least but he said other Dr.'s would probably do it. So off to the Internet I went and I found the Brigham's Women Hospital and Dr. Ashley Vernon. Not only did I see the video of her doing the Lapband surgery online, I sent her email and she answer back in the same day. I was impressed with that. So off to Boston I went for orientation on 02/14/06 and I actually had surgery on 06/01/06. Now I have to go to Boston once a month for a year, but it hasn't been that bad. It is only a 3-4 hour drive and a couple of weeks ago I combined my "fill" trip with going to see Barbara Streisand in concert. It was great. Are looking at the Lapband or RNY? Cindy

I live in Hartland, Vt. I am having my surgery on 11-22-06 at Dartmouth Hitch**** in Lebanon, NH. My surgeon is Dr. William Lay**** I am on day 3 of the 2-week pre-op diet. Getting excited!!!! Zibilla

Anyone actually live in VT in this Vermont Message Board? I'm in Williston. Cindy

Today is a bad day. I have been crying so much that It took me a long time to get signed onto the net. I need to turn to you all again, but now it is for my Grandpa. My Grandpa Earl is my maturnal Grandfather. He is 84 years old. He and my Nana raised me part of my life and I am very close to them. They recently just left my town to make their last trip to Las Vegas. My Grandpa had fallen on hard cement and broke his hip I am told. He has to have surgery. He is at a hospital in Las Vegas called Mountain View Hospital. My Grandpa's PCP here in Chelan had told him a few months back that he has a leaking heart valve and if there were to do surgery that it my be too much for him and he may not make it. I am so very worried that I may lose my Grandpa. I don't even have money to go be with him. I fear I may not see him again. I am trying to stay positive. I just can't stop crying about him. He will have to stay in a convalescent hospital for 6-8 weeks. He is so far away from home. All I can do is pray my heart out and turn to everyone at OH for theirs prayers. My Nana (grandmother) was stepping out of the elevator at the hospital and stubbed her bad toe bad enough that now she is in the emergency room there getting checked out. PLEASE, PLEASE pray for them. I hope many people are reading this. Please send to others you know, churches, anyone. We need your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Debbie Davidson