TraumaNurse

Another one for simplicity... I work as an RN in a Trauma Center... Hence TraumaNurse.. (boy am I boring) ~Christina~

Congratulations!!!! You look great!! ~Christina~

Good Luck tomorrow!! May you have a quick recovery! ~Christina~

I finally heard back from the surgeons office yesterday and was given a date of March 14, 2005!!!! :banana :banana I am so excited. I was even able to find my own coverage at work, so that's not a problem. Less than a month and I will be banded and on my way to healthy!! I can't wait!! ~Christina~

Thank you all so much! I even share a date with vinesqueen!!!!! :Bunny I can't tell you how excited I am to have this opportunity finally!! I am currently scheduled for one last meeting with the surgeon on March 2, then preop testing on the 4th, then nothing more to do than wait...... Healthy here I come!!! ~Christina~

First Congrats on your amazing weightloss!!!! I also have BCBS of MA but have not yet been banded. I have had many interactions with them and the only advice is to keep on them, and if you have to, ask for a supervisor when calling. I finally did that when looking for my approval.. I hope your revision goes well and you have a quick recovery!! ~Christina~

Congratulations!!! He's so cute. Thank you for sharing your story. Did you have morning sickness with your pregnancy? ~Christina~

Welcome Holly! No advice yet, still waiting to be banded but can't wait to follow your journey... ~Christina~

Congratulations on your surgery date!!!! :banana :banana :banana :banana ~Christina~

I hope your first visit with the doctor was a good one!! Can't wait to hear how it went.. ~Christina~

So I thought the hardest part of this would be the insurance issue, guess I was wrong. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has said it will pay 100% for the surgery, of course providing I am able to get a referral from my PCP. This is were it makes me nervous. Last years physical I brought the subject up to him and he shot it down before I was able to finish my sentence! I am just so nervous he will again say no. What type of info did you share with your PCP to get them to approve a referral?? I really hope I'm overreacting, and after I give him my speech on the Lapband and how I am a great candidate he will have no other choice to give me a referral. ~Christina:Bunny

Just wanted to thank everyone again for the support and words of advice you gave me. I had my appointment this morning for a referral and was armed with lots of info. He of course gave me the maybe you should try another diet speech, but then went on to say it wouldn't hurt for me to see the surgeon and learn about my options.. So he gave me a referral, and wished me luck... He even remarked on how well prepared I was with all my research and lists of past medical/diet history... YAY! it's on to meet the surgeon... One hurdle jumped, let's hope his letter is convincing to the insurance company!! Oh and it's the one time I was happy the office scale was three pounds heavier! ~Christina:Bunny

Thank you for all your support and replys. I am in the process putting together all the info I have found along with my personal feelings about this surgery.. Keep your fingers crossed... Three more days till butterflies in my stomach and sweaty palms.....(read, appointment with PCP) ~Christina:Bunny

Congratulations on getting a surgical date!!!!! I will be thinking of you that day, it's my first consultation with the surgeon!! Take care.. ~Christina:Bunny

Hi there!! My name is Christina, I'm 26 and happily married for just over a year now. After lurking for months and countless hours of research along with a job change to obtain insurance known to cover lapbanding I have made an initial appointment with a surgeon!!! :banana :banana :banana December 9th, I will finally see if I am eligible for this surgery. I am so excited yet very nervous!! I'm not quite sure of what I need to bring as far as documentation and such. Christina :Bunny

Vickums, I have no idea how long it will be before I am given a surgical date.. I have heard that this surgeons office it's usually 4-6weeks after initial consultation. I already have my sleep study done(it was done by my primary for other reasons) I don't think my surgeon requires a supervised diet, hopefully not(I'm so inpatient at times) Yes, I am an ER nurse, some days are good and others make me wonder why I don't work at Home Depot or something. I do love my job though.. I thought the same of you for working Peds, whenever I have to start lines on those little ones it makes me want to cry.... Hugs, ~Christina:Bunny

YEAH another nurse!!!! I am so nervous about the time it will take me to really be 100% at work. I just made a job change to a smaller community hospital, so hopefully it will be a little easier.. I am located in western Massachusetts. ~Christina:Bunny

Thank you for your welcome:) The x-mas ticker I found at "snugglepie.com", it's mainly a fertility site but they have other cute tickers... ~Christina:Bunny

I have BC/BS of massachusetts though and have recently found this on their website regarding WLS: http://www.bcbsma.com/common/en_US/medical_policies/379.htm#billing It gives billing codes.. I hope this helps. ~Christina:Bunny

Congratulations!!!! I was just in The Avenue yesterday and thought to myself, "hopefully next year this time I will either be at the low end of sizes or actually able to shop in regular stores"!!! What a feeling!!! ~Christina:Bunny

Congratulations!! Good luck with your journey! ~Christina:Bunny

Thank you everyone for your warm welcome!! I wish my family were as open and understanding of this procedure as you all are. I also found out yesterday my insurance will require a referral letter from my PCP. That's gonna be the hardest part of all this. Thanks again.. ~Christina:Bunny