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Time4me - we will be so close! Are you getting nervous or excited still? What is the appointment on the 5th for? Consult? I hope that you keep the 21 or sooner huh? Do you have to do a pre-op diet?

Don't feel guilty! This is going to be a great plus to your lossing weight! Remember you are doing this for you, not for them. Who cares what the guys say! Keep your head up and hang in there, surgery is just three days away! Good luck! I can't wait to see pics!

I am ready to be a glass half full gal too! We can and WILL do this! We will heal quick! That is a great way of thinking about it! Only 23 days left before my surgery! Count down it on!!! Congrats on all the dates! I look forward to being in bandland with everyone! Good luck all!

I was able to say "goodbye" to a lot of foods, I had to go through the six month dr counseling. I ate all those foods, during that time. I still need one more food to say goodbye too and then I will be completely ready. My sil had the surgery done over a year ago and she said that was the hardest for her, because it went so fast, she didn't get to enjoy certain foods at all. Everyone handles it their own way though! Good luck Nana!!!

I am scheduled to have my surgery on September 19!!! Good luck everyone!!!

I don't have to do a pre-op diet, my doctor doesn't require it!!! Yeah, but I think I will do a liquid diet before surgery with the exception of a small meal here and there, just to help drop the pounds before surgery! Good luck on your pre-op diets!

Woohoo, just got my date! September 19, 2007!!!! My surgeon is Dr. Richard Carter, he is going on vacation, that is why my date is so far off! boohoo, but woohoo! It is getting closer for all of us! September is right around the corner!

Thanks Wasabubblebutt! I got my life changing date today, September 19th! It is a ways out, because the doctor is going on vacation! What nerve huh? Well, more time to plan and work out! Woohoo!

Good Luck Readyforit! Just take it one day at a time. When I was first denied, I got very depressed. Just hang in there, it WILL happen, just takes time. Thinner me, I hope that it all works out! How long do you have to see the dietian for? I think insurance companies just string you along, to see if you would try everything first! Good luck, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you! Thanks Iluvharleys! Wow, you are doing great on your weightloss! Only 8 more lbs to go, I can't wait to say that myself! Good luck! You have come so far, I know you can get the last bit!

Thanks so much for responding, was getting to feel like no one else was excited for me! I am very much beside myself, I was denied at first and finally five months later got the ok! What steps are you having to take right now? I am sending you some good vibes ~~~~~Trish

That is just great, congrats on the weightloss!:clap2:

I finally got approved yesterday! I am in hog heaven! I haven't gotten a date yet, I am switching surgeons to Richard Carter in Arlington. I am hoping to be banded the last week of August! I am finally there! I was denied at first and had to go to my pcp for a six month weight and blood pressure check. I turned my paperwork into my insurance (BCBS) after five months and was approved within 10 days!!! There is hope!

Congrats on the date!!! I know that I will be smiling ear to ear when I get my date too! Good luck with both surgeries!

Wenjea - I am Macysgranny's niece and she is doing much better - they re-did her surgery yesterday and kept her overnight for observation. She has been in the hospital since Friday morning at 6:15 AM - if all goes well with the upper GI today - she will be coming to my house for a couple days. I am sure she will log on to share her story. Thanks for the prayers!

Booohooo hooo - I was DENIED by my insurance yesterday while with my aunt (Macysgranny) was in the hospital after having her lap band surgery. I am just a mess about it, but I have to go to my doctor for 6 months to get weighted and my bp taken. I am very frustrated. As much as I hate it, you can take me off of the pretty calendar. Good luck all May bandsters!

Ok Diva - I was wrong here are the step by step directions to get there - let me know if you can't find it! Go to bcbsil.com - don't log in click on the providers tab at the top of the page then click on medical policies (on the right side of the list) click on I agree at the bottom Click on view all active policies then on page 15 of 18 you will find SURGERY FOR THE MORBIDLY OBESE and you should be able to view it there! Good Luck! I hope that all goes well and quickly for you!!!

I have submitted mine - It was received last Wednesday. They said that it has to go through review and then review by a dr. So - it will take 2-3 weeks. I am praying that it will be sooner though. I want it done before by 5-25 birthday! If you go to bcbsil.com and don't log in - go to procedures - then find surgery for the morbidly obese and then you can print it from there. I am going to go back and try what I typed in, hopefully I got it right! If not I will repost!!! Good luck!

I have to agree with everyone that it looks great! It is probably a lot easier to manage too! Thumbs up!!!

Nimble - I am a HOPING to be banded in May - before my birthday at the end of the month. I have submitted my paperwork but not word from insurance yet. You have me listed at the 4th - and although that would be great, it isn't my date. (

Yeah Diva - it seems that everyone has something different told to them. I had called the BCBS IL office and they said that it needed to be commerically based for six months, I also pulled up the website and printed off the long manual for the bariatric surgery and it lists everything out for you. Have you already been banded? Did you have any problems with the insurance going through?

Wow - Jules and Eathansgrandma have been through so much. I haven't been banded yet and I worry about slippage and erosion too. I actually read it a lot on here. Jules, I hope that you have a great success story to share with us on your WW and Curves regimen. I am sure you will do great, you have already done so well. I hope that both of you heal wonderfully and continue to maintain your weight! Best wishes!

I am hoping for approval in May as well. I am just waiting on the insurance company now! I hope to be joining all of you soon! My Aunt just got approved and will be banded on May 4th! Woohoo! I hope to be a may bandster too! Good luck everyone!

My pysch eval was an 800 question quiz to determine if I was "mentally unstable". I was honest with him and told him in an hour long visit (not including the quiz) that I have diabetes in the family and was concerned for my overall health. He asked if I was a binge eater and I said yes. He just asked when my last binge was. Then he had me promise that I would start so kind of exercise 3X a week and to give up my sweet tea. I told him that I would give that up when I get approved for the surgery and he said that was fine. He also asked that I come in at 20-30 lb weight loss and than again at 100 lb weight loss, just to see how I was handling the weight loss mentally. It was very pleasant and I have never seen a pysch before!

I have BCBS of IL PPO and I only am required to have a six month commerically based diet. I used Jenny Craig. Have you asked your dr to by pass that process? Would he/she do that for you? Good luck! My paperwork was submitted this last Friday, hopefully mine goes in with no problems, I had everything they asked for!

KKAY - every surgeon is different. I went to the surgeon first - for the "seminar" then they told me where to go next - pysch eval, get Jenny Craig info and see my dr to get detailed letter of why she felt I needed the surgery and five years of obesity charts. Call around and check with other people in your area to see if there are any recommended surgeons. The bariatric clinics are very helpful - LOL they want your money!