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Hi. I am a 55 y/o male who is married and about to start my weight loss journey. I am a disabled Vietnam Veteran who paints Vietnam memories from my time there as a combat medic. I have returned to Vietnam one time (March 2005) and plan to do so again in the near future. This time, however, I would like to be much more mobile than I was during my last trip. I have an appointment with my doctor (Terry Simpson-Phoenix)on January 3, 2006 and expect that I will be scheduled for surgery sometime soon afterward. I was fully approved by the Veterans Administration to have this procedure done, so insurance is not an issue. I live in Lake Havasu City, AZ and, to my knowledge, there are no support groups in this immediate area. I have wanted to have the Lap Banding procedure done for nearly three years, but haven't had the opportunity to have it approved until moving to Arizona from Michigan last July. In Michigan, I was restricted to having the VA perform this operation, something I was not overly fond of having them do. Several others in my family have already had this done and several others are in the process of having it scheduled. I would really like to find someone to share this process with, especially someone who may be close to where I live. Age or sex is not important-only that you would also like someone to share this experience with. I would really enjoy hearing from anyone-near or far! My email address is [email protected]. Thanks! By the way, people call me Doc, because of my military experience as a medic.

Morning Bernie and Happy New Year..Congratulations on this new road you will travel..My husband and I each received our bands in April 2005..We would be happy to help answer questions etc..My hubby is also retired military..I forwarded your email to him as well..When we passed thorugh Arizona years ago on our way from California to Ky. I thought how beautiful is is there..I have read allergy wise you can't beat Arizona so you have a wonderful area to get healtheir in..I have seen photos of earth ships there and would love to be in the position to have one built myself..Carolyn

Hi Carolyn! Thanks for responding to my message. I used to live in Louisville for about 4 years-long enough to graduate from the U of L with a Fine Arts Degree. My daughter still lives there with her husband and two kids. Personally, I'm loving it here in Lake Havasu, though, especially this time of year. I know I'll like it even better when I lose enough weight to be able to go hiking in the mountains. I had my first doctor's appointment yesterday in Phoenix, with Dr. Terry Simpson. He's an easy guy to like, as are the rest in his office. I'll most likely be scheduling my surgical date on my next appointment date, around February 1st. Since the VA will be covering my expenses, I've not had to worry about insurers. I do have to come up with an additional $650 for outside expenses not covered by insurance, but after reading about what everyone else has had to deal with, I consider myself very lucky. So, payday, that will be taken care of. I'm told by Christine, who does the scheduling, that they can probably get me into surgery within thirty days once that's taken care of. I've been considering this procedure for about three years, but since I've been at the mercy of the VA (I'm 100% disabled) in respect to what they will, or will not do, I wasn't able to get into the fees basis program until I moved so far away from a VA hospital that can perform the surgey that I could qualify! This program allows a civilian doctor to do the surgery (thank God!). All I could ever think of was "Born on the 4th of July." A new Support Group will be starting up near my home next Sunday, so I'll be there for sure. I guess that's where I'm at right now. By the way, my email address is [email protected] I look forward to hearing from both you and your hubby whenever you have time. Again, thanks for responding!! Oh, and please call me "Doc." Everyone else does, since I am a former Vietnam medic.

Hello Doc! My name is Rose and I am post-op...I had my surgery on July 23, 2002..I live in the Kansas City, MO area and I have been married for 38 years to a man who served in the Army, 173rd Airborne Div (SEP) and was wounded and received 2 Purple Hearts for his service in Viet Nam in 64-65. So I say to you, "Welcome Home, a job well done". He is 100% Disabled (PTSD) and has never had a weight problem, but with Viet Nam in his past...who needs anything else, huh? Well, anyway, I saw your post and thought I would let you know that even though Viet Nam was unbelievably cruel and dangerous, this Surgery you are electing to have is no less life changing! It's very important that you READ, READ, and READ, and ask QUESTION, QUESTION, QUESTION! The Support Group you mentioned, is it run by the Dr's office or is it an individual that has gone thru training for this? I just finished my training session with ObesityHelp and will starting a Support Group soon in my area...We don't claim to have all the answers, but we know who does!! Good luck to you and your wife and all that support your efforts in this life altering journey!! Rose Hopper ObesityHelp Support Group Leader