babykins529

January will be here before we know it. Getting very excited. Last year that I will try to hide from the camera at Christmas.

I heard at my surgeons office that the Medicare patients here have a 4 year waiting list because Medicare will only psy for the surgery at a program that is Center of Excellence and I think there is only one currently in Oregon.

It's okay, welcome and congrats!

Welcome to the site! I will be banded end of January, early Febuary at the lastest.

My surgeon's office has two separate support groups. One the the gastric, sleeve ect. and the other for bandsters. They said they do this because the surgeries are so different and it can become a problem with they all start comparing notes lol. I choose the band (not banded yet) over the other surgeries because I want to learn how to change my eating habbits. I ned that extra push the band will provide me. I'm already on my way to doing so and the band will be my tool. I don't want to lose weight quickly. I dont want food I just ate coming out either end. And I don't want to eat whatever I want. Therefore I chose the band. I'm will to work for my weightloss.

No ultrasound sound for me. Patients with a higher risk for blood clots or it's common practice for some surgeon's would be my guess.

Depends on insurance. I had my seminar September 27th. Had my required appointment with the nurse practioner in October. Then the nutritionist, psychologist, and physical therapist in November. I have to have 3 months supervised nutritional appointments which didnt start till November, and my last one is January 9th which is the day they will submit my paper work to the insurance will take about 2 weeks to hear back. I see my surgeon on December 10th. Already completed my REE and sleep study.

Depends on insurance. I had my seminar September 27th. Had my required appointment with the nurse practioner in October. Then the nutritionist, psychologist, and physical therapist in November. I have to have 3 months supervised nutritional appointments which didnt start till November, and my last one is January 9th which is the day they will submit my paper work to the insurance will take about 2 weeks to hear back. I see my surgeon on December 10th. Already completed my REE and sleep study.

Wow 3 months is a long time to make you diet on your own. My nutritionist said basically, don't gain wait but that's for insurance purposes. I am on a 1500 cal diet and I track it using My Fitness Pal but I don't have to lose weight, just maintain. They will put me on a pre-op diet but that's only for the week prior to surgery and it's pretty much the same diet you're on now. Then liquids the day before. Yes, I can see your frustration, if we were all successful dieters we wouldn't be on this forum. It is a tool, but its a massive tool in helping us lose weight. The major thing it won't change is head hunger. And we give in to head hunger. So decided...am I really hungry? Do I need to eat this? Is it worth losing my sugery? And if you're gonna cheat, keep healthy snacks around. My weakness is icecream. I want something cold, sweet and creamy. So I grab a yogurt instead. I know this is hard. I can't speak for how it will be after. If you're having it done in Mexico, just make sure you have a good support team in the States when you get back. Support is key. Best of luck.

This is very true. I'm doing this for me and my future. I'm glad its bringing us closer as well.

It doesn't matter what your BMI is, if your insurance is covering it, they will make you jump whatever hoops they want. The general rule of thumb is a BMI below 40, you need to have a health issue like diabetes for the surgeons to take you on and for insurances to approve you. BMI over 40 is good enough health risk alone. You don't need a serious health problem.

It's amazing how you think you know someone and you think they will react a certain way, but when they do the opposite, it's shocking. My best friend of 13 years who thought would ve 100% in my corner turned out to be very apprehensive at first. She mostly was worried that if it didnt work out the way I wanted it to that I'd be devastated. So she came off negative and it didn't sit well with me. I educated her a bit more and she saw how dedicated I was/am with all the pre-op appointments and tests and she's coming around. My biggest surprise was my dad's reaction. I don't have a very close relationship with him and he currently lives ib Florida where I live in Oregon so we see each other once, maybe twice a year. He was up visiting a few weeks ago cuz my sister was due to have her baby (which she had on my 30th birthday!) and he saw me doing some paperwork and asked me what it was about. He's a nosey guy and will push even though I was ready to tell him. So I gave in and laid it all out. He was floored! In a good way. He said it was a great idea and he's very proud of me for doing something about my weight. He knows I've tried every diet under the sun and I'm at my heaviest right now and since obesity runs so high in my family on both sides, he knows what my future holds if I keep doing. Plus it forced me to quit smoking and him and my mom have been smoking since they were 15 and they are 58 so he's happy I won't be following in their foot steps there as well.

I've heard many different surgeon's requiring different types/lengths of pre-op diets. That was one of the first things I asked the nutritionist about. That and if I have to give up my coffee... I have told my immediate family and my close friends. My boss knows as well because I felt it necessary to explain why I've had to take so much time off work or using my PTO to cover other days. Everyone is supporting me. Some surprising me more then others. How about you?

I have one appointment in December and the last one in early January. I'm on a supervised diet and doing well. Lost 3 pounds thus far after one week into it. Very motivated. I have to do one week of a pre-op diet which my nutritionist showed me, and its not bad at all. A mix of food and protein shakes. Then the day before surgery, full liquids. I'm going to talk to my surgeon's office though because my 3 months should have started in October not November. That way I can grantee I can get my surgery in January and not bleed into February.

Totally! I see my surgeon December 10 and then we can pick a date. I have to have 3 months supervised nutrition appointments per my insurance. I've completed all the other requirements.

Me! Me! I don't have a date yet but it will be in January. Very exciting. Congrats!

My favorite questions were "do you hear voices?" "Do the voices tell you to do things?" "Do you think someone is out to hurt you?" The voices in my head told me not to tell you someone was out to get me.

Productive burp(ing)

Welcome Eric :-)

I am in a very simular situation right now. Let me share with you what I literally just sent to my best friend: " Please just be happy for me. I know you have your reservations about the surgery and that your afraid it won't work and you worry about me period, but please, please be supportive of me and this long journey I'm embarking on. It's not going to be easy and I need my best friend by my side. This is a tool and I have to learn to use it. It's life changing and will be hard. I will be forced to learn how to eat healthy and exercise. I have plans and goals. Im learning all I can about this surgery. All the good, all the bad. I joined a forum that I read all the time from real people who are going through the same journey. I know the risks, I know what I'm getting into. It's nice to hear my husband being hopeful and supportive for once in the last 9 years. I don't want to be super thin, I just want to not be 273 pounds with a BMI of 49...I want to be healthy." I hope this helps. You are NOT alone ♥

I just called Cigna and went to the actual policy on-line: "Medical management including evidence of active participation within the last 12 months in a weight-management program that is supervised either by a physician or a registered dietician for a minimum of three consecutive months." This was changed on May 12, 2012. I am just starting the surgery process and wanted to make sure approx. when I'll be able to have my surgery. I am very happy to know that I only have to wait 3 months now. Hope this helps. www.cigna.com enter policy number 0051 in the search box to view entire Cigna policy.