StLouisGal

I like January Jewels, too. Gifted garnets is great too.

What a great thread. I am anxiously awaiting approval. :nervous My paperwork was sent to BCBS nearly two weeks ago and still no word. I think the people who are supposed to be approving are probably out holiday partying. :confused: They have no idea how nervous I am about this whole process. How long has everyone else been waiting for approval?

Take as much information as you can to the primary so that you can explain it to them if you have to. They are going to have to write the referral to get you approved. The more you know about the procedure and the benefits of it, the more chance you will have to get the primary to approve it and send the referral. I am pretty sure Tricare does cover it but not in all facililties so you may have to hunt around for a facility that does the band under Tricare. Good luck to you.

I am seeing Dr. Scott. Good Luck on Wednesday. It is going to go well. I'm anxious to hear how things go at DePaul. So far I am very impressed with the clinic.

I am still waiting for insurance approval. I will have it at DePaul also. Who is your doc?

I just tried the strawberry in skim milk for my lunch. It is pretty good. I think I like it better in lemonade but I have to get my Calcium in somehow. I tried the unflavored in oatmeal but it gave it an odd consistency. I just need to experiement a little more with it. It came with a lot of interesting recipes that I want to try. The best part is that you can stir it with a spoon and don't need a blender.

I think it is worth the price. It mixes in with a spoon and doesn't taste chalky like some protein shakes I have had. I mix the chocolate and vanilla with skim milk and the strawberry with Crystal Light lemonade. It is really smooth and easy to drink. If you order regularly you can get a discount on the Unjury website. Every little bit helps.

I haven't been banded yet so I am sure I don't know exactly what you are feeling but don't beat yourself up, and don't let anyone else. Are you measuring your food? That might help you realize how much you are eating. You probably aren't completely healed yet and don't have any restriction. Hang in there and stop letting your mom stress you out. Don't get on the scales except at the Dr's office. That way you can honestly say you don't know how much you have lost.

Mine has been a little different but real similar Started doing research online 9/1/07 Called center for information 10/5/07 Filled out preliminary form online 10/6/07 Recieved paperwork: 10/15/07 *Diet History *Health History *Letter from PCP stating medical necessity, weight history, medical clearance for surgery All paperwork submitted to surgeon 11/15/07 Pyschological evaluation 11/15/07 Passed Surgeon's office submitted paperwork to insurance 12/6/07 Upon Insurance approval: Pre-op classes with Dietitian, Physical Therapy, Pre-op testing, and Consultation with surgeon to set date TBA Manditory Support Group meeting: Probably Dec. 19 Surgery. Hopefully sometime in mid to late January I guess it has moved fairly quickly. :whoo::whoo::whoo:

:whoo:Congratulations.:whoo: I am still in the process of getting approved. How long did it take to get your insurance to approve you?

That is a great exhibit. I saw it when it was in Dallas. It is in St. Louis now. It is definitely worth seeing. Makes understanding the anatomy much easier. I really got the most out of the babies. They looked asleep and made it very easy to explain to our nephew who was with us that God created babies to be perfect from the beginning and hopefully gave him something to think about before he starts making babies before he and his partner are ready. I don't think I would have been able to handle it if these babies were the product of abortion but they all died either in accidents or natural causes. It is a very powerful exhibit.

I go to Curves and they measure once a month. The waist is different for everyone but you can tell where it is when you bend side to side. It is usually the smallest point. Mine is right on the belly button. Hope that helps.

I'm glad I am not the only one in this insurance boat. My letter was sent yesterday and when I made my weekly call to the clinic she said it may be 4 to six WEEKS for them to respond. :speechles She did say that there are still some surgery dates available in January so to keep thinking positive thoughts. I hope she is wrong about the length of time but this is the holiday season so who knows. I guess we all have to hang in there. I'll call again next week to see where we are.

Welcome, There are several of us looking at January/February surgery. It's good that we have our own little Missouri support system. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

Are there other surgeons in your area that your insurance does cover. I am also on an blue cross hmo and there are several clinics in our area that do bands. The first surgeon on that I contacted was not on my insurance list so I had to look for another one. Get a copy of your provider directory and look for another surgeon. Where are you located? My provider directory had a list of bariatric surgery centers that they recommend. It is worth looking into. Good luck with whatever decision you make. Just make sure it is right for you before you do anything.

Welcome Baby Ruth. I'm in the Insurance Hoop too. Waiting for the Dr's office to send in the paperwork. Where in Missouri are you? What center are you using? It's good to know that there is someone else going through this at the same time I am.

I had my psych evaluation a few weeks ago. It was kind of interesting. She asked questions about my family and weight history, were my parents', siblings, normal weight or obese, that sort of thing. She asked about my history of depression, asked how I would handle situations once I was banded and went out socially where an abundance of food was available. I had to take a little test to see how much I knew about how the band works and what is allowed, etc. Be yourself and be honest and you should be fine. It really isn't anything to be scared of. I don't know a lot about the post op diet since I haven't met with the nutritionist yet, I am waiting for insurance approval then will have a day long class with nutritionist, physical therapy, pre-op testing, meet with surgeon, etc. I can hardly wait but that is what I am doing, waiting. Hang in there, we will all eventually get there.

I am a 46. I hope to be banded in January. My paperwork is at the Insurance company now.

The comments I love are the ones from thin folks who don't have a clue what the surgery entails who have suggested to me that I need it. They seem to think it is an easy way out and can be accomplished in a weekend. Some TV personality or the other had it so they think I should too. Needless to say I have not told them I am even considering surgery. I have only told the people I work with. They are extremely supportive of me and whatever I want to do and have accepted me as I am without condition. A few are a little sceptical that I really need it but are willing to support me because it is what I want. My DH and (grown) kids are on board with me too and just want me to be healthy and happy. The people who seem to feel that I will have more value as a thin person don't deserve to have any say in my life. Since most of them are family I can't cut myself off from them but I sure don't have to let them beat my self esteme (sp) up either. I haven't told them and don't plan to until they start worrying that I am sick because I am losing so much weight. Sorry for the long rant but sometimes you just have to tell it like it is.

My nurse practitioner actually wrote my letter but had the doctor that works in the office with her sign it also. I am sure your nurse is just trying to make sure you get the best care available. Insurance companies will probably pay more attention to MD after the signature. Hang in there. It will all work out.

The strawberry sorbet flavor is pretty good mixed with Crystal Light lemonade. I mix chocolate and vanilla with skim milk to help me get in my Calcium. I won't be banded until after the first of the year but I figure getting a little extra Protein in now can only make me healthier for the surgery. I have been drinking a shake for Breakfast for a week or so now. I was surprised and very pleased at how quickly it came in the mail. The sample sizes were nice for trying them out but the larger containers are much cheaper per serving.

What a great problem to have. I swore I would not buy any more clothes until after my band, I hadn't thought far enough ahead to think about what I will wear while I was losing. Probably a lot of elastic waist skirts that can be taken in without looking obvious. I got rid of all my skinny clothes when I gave up on ever losing weight again (before I heard about the band) so now all I have is fat clothes. Do you live in a city large enough to have a "Goodwill" or "Salvation Army" store. They often sell barely used clothes for very reasonable prices to get you through to the next size. No point in spending a lot of money on clothes you won't wear but a few weeks. Good luck

It sounds like there are a bunch of us "January Bandsters". :confused:I don't have a date yet but my paperwork is supposed to go to the insurance this week so hopefully I will be able to schedule my surgery some time in January. At the Weight Loss Institute I am going though they don't schedule your meeting with the surgeon until after insurance has approved you. I had to submit a detailed history and a letter from my PCP with weight history and diet attempts for the last five years. :clap2: I had my Psych evaluation this week. She went over all the diet changes that will be required, etc. to see that I understood exactly what I am doing. Now my file is complete :whoo:so the Surgeon's office will submit for insurance approval. After insurance approval, I will be scheduled for a day long class where they do diet session, exercise session, pre-op tests and meeting with the surgeon. Surgery will be scheduled at the meeting with the surgeon. I am starting to get to the exciting part, but still a little nervous that the insurance company will ok everything. :nervous:nervous:nervous

<p>I hope to join the band wagon in January also. Got my pysch clearance today. Not sure what the time line is but the center is booking January surgeries now so hopefully I'll get one too. I am currently 288 lbs and my ideal weight is 155. I started this journey because I want to head off any health issues that I know are coming because of my weight. I want to . . . go to the theater without the armrests digging into my hips . . . fly without needing a seat belt extension . . . save my joints from replacement surgery. . . you get the idea. </p> <p> </p> <p>Good luck to those who have dates set and those of us who are still waiting for final approval and a date. Happy New Year to us.</p>

For heaven sakes, don't weigh yourself everyday. It will make you crazy. . . Your daily weight depends on the time of the month, how much water, etc. you have had to drink that day, the humidity outside, all kinds of things. Please resist the temptation to weigh everyday and just stick to your program, it will be worth it in the end. Hang in there, you can do it. :clap2: