Thanks for the info and encouragement...I've lost 6 lbs but its not quite what my doctor is hoping for......I'm sticking with it and so I hope it will be successful!

Good luck with the 6mo documented diet.  You'll do great!  My doctor always told me the lower my weight at surgery time the safer the surgery.  :)  And the smaller the liver.  They are very strict about a two week living shrinking liquid diet two weeks prior to surgery, but my best guess is less food for 6mo would also help with that!

Wow sorry to hear you did not like Fairfax      If you need any other surgery in the future ask if he has right at Fair Oaks   I think he does.   

take care

I agree with Jilly about the band making your GERD worse (not to mention it's complication rate and failure rate are really hig).  I'd take this 6 month dieting time to reallly research all of your options (band, RNY, VSG and DS) independently and then choose a surgeon who does all 4 procedures to give you an unbiased opinion on things.  I'm not sure where in VA you are, but Dr. Elariny in NOVA is a good place to start for that. 

Good luck!

Elariny has an excellant reputation as a surgeon and a bariatric surgeon.  He does more alternative WLS.   He was a driving force for VSG surgeries....     He is very expensive.   You may want to find people who actually have him as a surgeon ..  I got the impression he is a bit on the ****y side.... but that was many years ago I got that impression from people on here.  So I may not being fair.  

Bluepoint Surgical   Dr Moazzez  is my surgeon   I chose him for his general surgical reputation.  When surgical nurses advised me that if they had to choose a surgeon that Dr Mo would be their 1st choice.   I did not get that from others I asked about ... This was staff I asked at 2 hsopitals    Mr. Mo is a caring and good listener....    He did my gal bladder surgery too .. never a worry

Another important descision is the anestisist.   Reason I chose Dr Mo and Fair Oaks Hospital ..   All of the anestisists are qualified for bariatric surgeries...  We as obese people during intebations are at a higher risk....   Fair Oaks Hospital and Dr Mo were a 1st class experience.   Believe me rate the hospital too..... No way Potomac Hospital !   Fairfax Hospital is where Elariny works and they have excellant reputation as well for bariatrics too

Post experience is important too... 

Good luck !!