Candle

Err - I wish they'd fix the edit feature!

You look beautiful! Thank god I've never lived in a state that prints your weight on the license - lol!! I got a new license when I moved to NY last year - it is by far the worst picture of me EVER taken!! They made me put my head back to touch the board you stand in front of - it looks like my neck is the same width as my head - forget double chin. I burst into tears when it came in the mail - lol!<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Thanks for the words of encouragement. re CPAP: I've had it for almost a week and I've tried to use it every night. I use the ramp button but I always wake up within an hour or two all wrapped up in the hose, with the mask off my face. I'm a stomach sleeper and I think I just toss around and rip it off. If for nothing else, I was hoping it would help condition me to sleep on my back. I know after surgery, sleeping on my stomach won't be an option for a long time. I think it really bothers me too because I have to read or watch TV to fall asleep and I can't do either of those without my glasses … which I can’t wear because of the stupid mask. This CPAP thing has kind of put me into this weird depression the past few days. I know I didn’t get this heavy over night but the reality of the state of my health and the size of my body and all the related problems is freaking me out. I’m really disgusted with myself. How did I let myself get to this point?

Don't freak out! Your surgery isn't until 8/13/07 – that’s almost a month for them to approve! I would call your insurance company on Monday to make sure they got everything. Get the name of the person you speak with so you can call back that same person in about a week to make sure they have everything they need and the ball is rolling. Squeaky wheel gets the grease!

I'm waiting too!!! On pins and needles. My doctor submitted on Mon. My surgery is scheduled for 8/27/07. I wish my date was sooner but my doc is taking vacation in Aug. I'm going to call on Fri to be sure GHI got the paperwork. I've heard a lot of horror stories about insurance companies saying they never got the paperwork - sometimes more than once. Good luck everyone!!!!

Thanks Walter - I'll drop you a note if I have any problems. (let's hope I don't have to send that message - lol)

Good luck! I just got my date today - 8/27/07!!! (I haven't gotten the insurance approval yet though ....)

What is the Allergan appeals program??

YOU can't believe it - I can't believe it - lol The $500 co-pay for the endoscopy really blind sided me. I was not told I would have to pay that. I guess it's my insurance company's co-pay for out-patient surgical proceedure - ugh! It sucks my co-pay is $30.00 per visit too! I also wasn't expecting $100.00 for the CPAP machine - which I'll never use.

I had to do a 6 month supervised diet for insurance and many many many pre-op tests per my surgeons requirments. (It probably would have taken me 6 months to complete them anyway - lol) I just started another thread - I calculated 23 doctor visits to get everything done!!!!! I have surgery scheduled on 8/27/07 - prwk was submitted to insurance today. My first appointment to get the ball rolling was in late Jan.

I was knocked out and the only instructions I had, was nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

Other than worrying I won't actually be able to lose the weight ... ^ that is my biggest fear. My boyfriend likes big girls. I know he loves me for ME but he's also very attracted to the physical me and he makes me feel more beautiful and sexy than anyone has ever made me feel. I don't want to lose that. He's supportive about me getting banded - I use the "I'm too fat" excuse for a lot of things. I know he'd like me to be more active and social. (and healthy)

Mmm ... I love the Raspberry Ice!! I'm trying like hell to kick soda now, so it won't be so hard after being banded.

I am. I just finished up my pre-op tests. My doctor is Alan Geiss in Syosett.

I'm going too!!! In Oct!!<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:p We're staying in a townhouse with a full kitchen. Only 1.5 miles from Disney! We don't plan to eat out a lot. We’re taking my sister and her son and she's on a tight budget anyway. Plus, I think it will be better for me.<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:p<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

My surgeon gave me a list of tests to be done and doctors I needed to see. Then my PCP gave me the referrals to the specific doctors. Getting Pulmonary Clearance was one step, that’s where the sleep study comes in. (I had to do 2)

For anyone with clothes in good shape and willing to deal with shipping .... plus size clothes seem to sell REALLY well on ebay. A good way to make some extra cash towards new SMALLER (hehe) clothing.

194712697488 << code for 20% off your whole order

I just bought one at Linens N Things this weekend. It was $59.99 and there's a $10.00 mail in rebate and I had a 20% off coupon (they send out coupons all the time or you can order online and use the coupon code - then do an "instore pick up" so you don't have to pay shipping) Made it $38.00 + tax

How long did it take to get the machine? I did my 2nd study last week and I see my doctor on Thurs to review the results. My surgeon said some doctors make you use the machine for awhile before they will give you clearance for the surgery. (I hoping my doctor doesn't do that) I'm obviously very anxious for my surgeon to get paperwork submitted to my insurance.

I had one last month and it was a breeze. They knock you out and the whole thing takes about 10-15 minutes. The part that hurts is I just got a bill from the hospital for $500.00!!!!!!!!!!!! That's my co-pay - stupid fucking insurance!!

Capital One and Care Credit have medical financing.

I have one month left too. I already had my psych and nutrition consults though. Neither were covered by insurance anyway. Ouch! $250.00 each. I better get approved - lol.

How long did the whole process take? It took me so long (over 2 months) to get an appt for the sleep study in the first place, I'm nervous about how long it's going to take to get ANOTHER appt. THEN wait to get the machine. The last visit of my supervised diet is in mid-June. I want to be able to submit to insurance RIGHT AWAY.

Watch a Lap Band surgery on or-live.com ... after seeing them move the liver ... it will make you WANT the pre-op diet - lol. __________________ I know where you are coming from. I'm struggling to get out of the same boat right now. I had to start a 6 month supervised diet in Jan, I was gung-ho at that point. I was proud of myself for finally making the decision and getting the ball rolling. I was really frustrated to learn of the 6 month wait and I totally got "last meal" syndrome ... eating everything in sight. I gained 12 pounds between Jan-April. I finally got my shit together about 3 weeks ago. I've lost 10 pounds! I haven't made drastic changes but I'm really trying to focus on healthy eating and preparing for post-op food challenges. I figure the more I lose now, the easier it will be to keep the momentum after being banded and will make the whole process less of a drastic change in my life. Exercising too. Now that the weather has gotten nice, I'm trying hard. We even adopted a dog. I'm hoping to be banded (waiting on insurance) in Aug. Good luck - keep in mind you aren't alone. Are you required to get psych consult? I think mine really kicked me in gear.