HeatherA

I am going through Fresh Start for my banding. I am moving swiftly along in the process... I just got notification today that I was approved by my insurance so my next step is to schedule my pre-op appointment, which I hope to do in the next day or so. I am anticipating my surgery to be within the next two weeks. (fingers crossed)

I just got notice today that I was approved by UHC. I am under the Definity plan. Only one try for me as well! I am so relieved since my insurance switches to Cigna January 1.

Thanks everyone!!! Looks like we all have to find our own way. I have a feeling that 3 meals and 1 snack (healthy) will work best for me. I now just have to wait and see.

Thanks everyone! It's nice to know it can be done on 3 meals a day!

How many times a day do you eat? My surgeon says we should only eat 3 times a day and no snacking. I've been following this since late October (for the most part) and find that I need to snack on some days. I am not yet banded and can not imagine how I'll get my calories in with only three small meals a day. I'm curious as to what your doctors have advised... Thanks!

Welcome Sunrise!!!!

Can you only get Unjury online? Or is it available at any local stores?

Count me in! I practically live there anyway :-) Hopefully I'll be banded by then and back on "normal" food.

Sparkpeople seems a bit intense for me. I'll play around over there, but I like the simplicity of Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate for daily use

I've been using TheDailyPlate.com for the last week and I really like it. I'm going to check out sparkpeople.com today and see how it compares. 4Jin I'll use your referral!

Are you kidding me???? That's awesome!

Yeah, mine doesn't require a five year history which is unusual for UHC and I have no idea what Cigna will require and I don't want to find out :-) I'm just praying that I'm a lucky one and all goes smoothly!

Please send good thoughts and prayers my way... I just verified with UHC that they have my packet and it's in the approval/denial process. They received it on the 10th and say it will take 15 days for a decision due to it being the end of the year. I am on a really tight time line trying to get this approved and the surgery performed before the 1st of the year when my INS will switch to Cigna. I will have little time for appeal if they decline me. All good thoughts, vibes and especially prayers are welcome. I want to have this done so very bad! Thank you!!!

Hilary, There are risks with both procedures. The difference is that the risks involved with the bypass are more devastating than the ones with the band. Please make sure you research that procedure as well as you have this one before making a decision. Good luck to you, whatever you do!

My doc has not yet started using this band, but he has them to use when his supply of the VG band runs out. He has told me he will use this band on me. I hope the improvements prove to be what they are expected to be!

That site is cool! I just checked it out and spent too much time there getting set up :-) It's just like when I journaled on the Weight Watcher's site only free! I'm so impressed I may just spring for the year subscription. Thanks!

Hi Topdownbug... The funniest thing is... we have the same doctor!!!!!!!!! LOL It's good to know their scales run heavy... I was thinking it had to be the difference between weighing nekkid at home and jeans/sweater at the office. I go in Wednesday for my 2nd Nut. appointment and I'm dying to see what their scales say this time!

Did I forget to tell you? If I remember correctly he said they were using the VG bands and then will switch to the AP bands... he told me that he would use an AP band on me, but that I was to remind him closer to surgery. I can't believe I forgot to tell you this? It was part of the reason I was there so late so I could talk to him about it.

Welcome MamaT! How exciting that you're getting banded on Monday! We'll want all the details of course :-)

****Sorry for the duplicate post. My subject was incorrect**** Just a heads up for you Columbus bandsters there is a support group meeting next Tuesday at 6:30 at Riverside. It's located at the building at 500 Thomas Rooms H&I (Next to Riverside). There is also a meeting for Gastric Bypass patients just prior to the bandsters meeting. It starts at 5:30 in the same rooms. Hope to see you there!

Just a heads up for you Columbus bandsters there is a support group meeting next Tuesday at 6:30 at Riverside. It's located at the building at 500 Thomas Rooms H&I (Next to Riverside). There is also a meeting for Gastric Bypass patients just prior to the bandsters meeting. It starts at 5:30 in the same rooms. Hope to see you there!

Hilary, I'm sorry I didn't see your first post about Fresh Start... My replies will be a little backward and I apologize! Your Doc and my Doc are the same Doc... so I'm a bit confused by the information given to you. Was he perhaps referring to gastric bypass patients? Maybe it was the nutritionist that gave me my information? If you post your question on the general lapband boards you'll probably get better response than here. Again, I look forward to getting to know you!

Hi Flashkat! You'll love Dr. Myers. He will be the gentleman in the bow tie handing out waters :-) He makes a point of meeting each of the people in the meeting and is just so nice. You'll feel right at ease. Hunter and I were at the same seminar/meeting and even though we didn't meet there, we've struck up quite a friendship. We're both at the same stage in the process right now and it's been great to have someone to talk to that's going through the same things. We'll be here for you if you decide to go with Dr. Myers (or any other program for that matter) so feel free to ask any questions you might have. As Hunter mentioned there is a support group meeting next Tuesday at 6:30. We're both planning on attending and if you decide to go let us know so we can meet up with you. You can get more information tonight about it, or feel free to private message me for the details. Good luck tonight! Don't forget to take your insurance card with you if you think you'll be interested in getting the ball rolling as they'll have someone there to photo copy it for you when you hand in your initial paperwork. It's really a painless process! I look forward to hearing more from you!

Hi Hilary, my doc says that those things are fine if I can tolerate it. The meats will need to be very tender and probably eaten with a sauce and the bread will go down better toasted than doughy. I'm not banded yet so I haven't tried... but that's what I've been told. P.S. Where are you in Ohio?

Hi Special K! Welcome! I'm with Hunter in trying to get banded at Riverside. We're neck and neck in the process and it's been so nice to have a "buddy" to go through this with. Welcome to the Columbus thread, I hope you stay in touch!