Northern Mist

Thanks - I'm looking forward to hearing about your doc. visit etc... Take care!

Hi Jennyd - Glad you got approved! How long from the time your paperwork was submitted did it take? I'm pretty sure the surgeon's office will have my paperwork turned into BCBS IL in a couple weeks. Do you know how much fills cost? and if BCBS IL pays for them? Thanks!

Anyone watch dream season? It's couples this time - interesting how much more hugging, kissing and arguing than in the past shows. lol

Thanks susieq - glad to see someone going to the same hospital - they seem like a great staff. I should be hearing from them soon.

I'm hoping to get banded in early October or so.... This should give me plenty of time to get over the initial pain etc.. for our November 15th opening of rifle season! I was with my husband last year when he got a monster 8 point. This buck was huge - bigger than most of the 10 + pointers on the pole! My turn!

I've been on phentermin (sp) a few times and it works pretty good unless I need to get more than 4 hours or so of sleep. This was ok for a month or so at a time and then I would get cranky... not focus at work or home.... feel disjointed. These are major symptoms of sleep depravation. I would go off them for a week or so and start again. Most people build up an immune to them after a few months hense the weight gain and then some. It is partialy a stimulant to the body...heart! I would ask the surgeon before taking it!

I'm in the process of getting approved but this thread has inspired me to write down all the things I can't wait to do and all the things I'll be able to stop doing. The avoiding pictures comment made me cry. There is very little evidence (pictures) that I go on vacations, picnics, school functions etc... with my kids. How sad we do that to them and ourselves.

Hi All, I was wondering if fills where paid for by BCBS of IL.? I'm not sure what flouro is but is this part of the fill covered? I have to save and budget so any information would help. Thanks

Hi Susieq and jpkmom, You guys live in a nice city! I'm under the bridge (troll?) in Grayling. I'm waiting on my doctor to get the recommendation letter sent to the surgeon - supposed to be there next week. What surgeon/hospital are you using? What pre-op tests are they making you do? Insurance giving you issues? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks! Misty

<p><p>Hi All,</p> <p>I'm looking for patients of the Munson Medical Center's Bariatric Program. How did you like the program? How long did it take you to go through it?? How much did the surgery cost? Cost of fills? Is it easy to schedule appointments around your schedule or do they give you a time and no choice? I have insurance but I'm just in the begining stages of paperwork and am still responsible for paying 20% etc... so it's good to know how much to save and budget for future fills and appointments etc...</p> <p>Thanks for taking the time to answer - I appreciate it.</p> <p>Misty</p></p>

Hi Susieq125, I'm going through the T.C. surgery center too. I've sent in my paperwork a couple weeks ago but havn't heard anything back from them yet. How long did it take you to get things rolling?? Are you ok'd through your insurance or are you self pay? I attended the June seminar and thought they seemed like a nice staff to work with. Misty

Hi Mary, You're right..I'm from Grayling. I've sent in my paperwork to Grand Traverse surgery. My doctor was supposed to dictate a letter a couple weeks ago but I havn't heard from her. I'm not sure what the next steps are or what kind of tests they will require me to do but I'm ready to get it started. How has your journey gone? I'm scared to put a foreign object in my body one minute and extremely confident this is the tool for me the next. Nice to hear from you and to know someone else out there has had experiences with the surgery department I'm looking at. We thought the seminar looked like a commercial too! Take care, Misty

Hi All - I'm wondering how your energy is affected after surgery and long term????? Misty

Hi All, I'm pretty new to the site and was wondering why you can't drink while eating? I tried to search it but no luck. Thanks - Misty

Thank you. I appreciate the comments.

I'm also in the process of waiting for approval. I alternate between being scared about it to extremely confident this is for me. Where are you from Marnie?? I'm from Michigan and have BC/BS of Illinois. I have lots of ?'s also... most I've found by searching the topic on the above tabs. I havn't seen many long termers 5 + years here.... maybe this is more for the begining stages and once you go through it yolu no longer feel the need to come here... who knows???

One more question concerning liquids...... I'm a big guzzler of bottled water after biking, walking, gardening, when it's hot etc... I'm not gonna be able to do this am I????

I'm in the very begining stages of paper work etc... and wasn't sure why you couldn't drink while eating - it makes since now. Thanks

Is a catheter required for this surgery?? It sounds silly but this is in my top 10 least liked things!! I had my Gall Bladder removed and remember the shoulder pain - it was not good! Is this going to happen again? I'm assuming it has to do with the gas they use to inflate your abdomen.... am I right? I'm in the process of getting approval from Bbbc of Illinois.... my fingers are crossed!

Hi All, I'm from northern lower michigan and looking into going to the Traverse City Bariatrics program. It's semi-new but they sound like great people. I sent in my paper work to the TC doc's and am waiting on my doctor to send in a referal letter - this should get things rolling. Misty

Hi all, I've been reading posts for awhile now and thought I would join the group. I've been to the Lap-Band seminar in Traverse City, Michigan and it seemed like a good program with a lot of caring people but I'm leary of anyone selling their own product/service - that's why I've been checking out comments by the people who have been there and done that! They have nothing ($) to gain so will tell the unbiased truth for the most part. I have learned a lot here and am thankful for a site like this. Take care!

I'm in the process of getting approval from my insurance company..... I have yet to even have my consultation. I have attended the seminars but these questions haven't been touched on yet. Just getting feed back from the people that have went throught it at this point. Thanks though.