SpecialK

Me too on being hopeful to have to not ask for a seatbelt extension some day soon. It is embarrassing and some flight attendants are very discreet about it and others are clearly annoyed to have to help you. I just say to myself - "look, I have a right to fly and see my family or take a vacation just like the rest of you so tough! " I can fit in one seat with the arms down so the middle person can't say that about me but its not comfortable by any means flying. My other big goal for 'fun' is to be able to go on roller coasters again and fit into the seat!

I called Aetna today and verified that they have received and logged in the paperwork from the surgeon as of January 31 to review my lapband surgery approval. When I first asked how long did he (customer service rep) think it might be before I'd know if it was approved, he said 'gee, maybe 30 days depending on how backlogged we are" . I said Whoa! I've been working on all the medical clearances and things that Aetna requires for about 6 months now so I'm hoping it doesn't take that long. He said, well, call back in about 2 weeks if you haven't heard anything. I sure hope I get a call from the surgeon's office this week saying it went through in 3 days like some of you did!

I called Aetna today and they verified they have my paperwork to approve my surgery logged into their system as of yesterday January 31 so let the countdown continue!

Juli - that is too funny about the Drivers License! I have to go get mine renewed today and I was going to still let them keep '200' on there as my weight...been faking it for a long time and don't plan to stop! Sounds like you were honest with your DL weight...not many are.

Growingpanes - I am not yet banded but the Mt. Carmel doctors are Dr. Patricia Choban, Dr. Phil Price, and Dr. Marcus Miller. I think Heather has said the Riverside practice doctor for lap bands is Dr. Steven Meyers. And I think Juli has mentioned a couple different doctors names at the OSU bariatric practice. (Dr. Mikami) Finally, Thinner Me is working on banding thru Barix Center in Groveport OH on the east side of Columbus (Dr. Ramos). Maybe one of the 4 major practices for Bariatrics in Columbus would be an option to get fills in the Columbus area for you. Maybe check your health plan and see if any of the doctors these ladies talk about in their posts are on your plan. Good luck. I'd hate to have to drive to Cincy from Mansfield to get a fill.

Seebs -- I have also selected Dr. Price! Can't wait to meet you at the get together. I am waiting for insurance approval now, it was submitted yesterday to Aetna!

Juli - just noticed your updated ticker! Go Girl.... you are really hopping along there! Congratulations.

My surgeon's office submitted my packet for Aetna HMO POS II approval today. Say a prayer its approved please!

Charlene at Mid Ohio Surgical Associates submitted mine to Aetna today for approval! Please say a prayer for a quick approval within a week like Niki had!

:rolleyes2: Great birthday present to get a call from Charlene at the Mid Ohio Surgical Associates that she has my packet for approval submitted today! When the phone rang I had this moment of panic she was calling to tell me I was disapproved and then a second moment of panic that she might be calling to tell me I'm approved...so silly!!! :cool2: Say a prayer now for a quick insurance approval!

Niki- Your old signature motto says you "started the journey in October and still trying to get insurance coverage"... Now you need to put a new exiciting tag line in there like a count down to your band date!

Put me in the list of those who have lost 100 lbs (unfortunately it usually was to please a man!) only to be disappointed and gained it back plus some. This time, this is for me and me alone.

I just can't help adding my applause as well for a fantastic accomplishment. Be sure and go to the PICS Before and After and post some pictures for those of us who also need inspiration in visual form. AND its a chance to Toot Your Own Horn! You deserve it so much!

I had another thought... she called on January 24 and had an opening for February 6th -- that is really fast! Made me realize that when she calls with the good news I need to be mentally ready to say Yes!

I'm so jealous! I would love to make it to banded land in March! Congrats Niki! P.S. Send Charlene some good vibes her way for being on top of it! I can't wait for my call!

Ladyroz - yes, Welcome to the group who has a connection to Mt. Carmel and otherwise wants support for the lapband process. See the Columbus get together notice on this Ohio forum page and hope we can meet you in person at the Polaris Mall.

I provided my surgeon's office with a copy of my WW booklet showing my weekly weigh in's plus each time I had gone to my PCP for physicals and things she would ask if I was doing anything to lose weight, and I'd tell her WW, exercise at the rec center, etc. so yes, WW log plus PCP doctor notes is a good combo but I don't think a WW booklet with weights is enough.

Most insurances say something like: BMI 40 alone or BMI of 35 plus co-morbidities like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis or joint pain, plus prolonged evidence 3-5 years of medically documented weights. They can take an OB/GYN's records of weight since you said you had kids. Just some ideas. Keep hanging in there.

This helped me to print off about the first 6 or so pages and read them carefully sentence by sentence to see what it indicated I had to do. I had Aetna HMO also so I've been through those hoops and now waiting to see if I get approved once I know the surgeon's office has sent in what they had. See my other posts on what all I had to do. Clinical Policy Bulletin.doc

Debbie - glad you're okay now from that stuck episode. I remembered what you said from our first get together that some things are better eaten with something else like mashed potatoes to give you the moisture or lubrication to help things go down. Good lesson for all of us to keep hearing to chew, chew, chew. Ladies all -- here is a good nutrition thing from me journaling my food before surgery - I went out to a Mexican restaurant with my brother for his birthday yesterday and got a combination plate that had 1 chicken enchilada and 1 chicken burrito, no Beans or rice, just the shredded lettuce and a little bit of shredded cheese on top. When I looked up a chicken burrito is was like 900 calories and the chicken enchilada was less than half of that...go figure..I thought they were pretty close to each other in calories.

I've had good luck ordering from Plus size clothing - Fashion for Plus Size women at Roaman's and Plus size clothing at Woman Within® from the Limited group where they can do expedited shipping for you on swim suits.

Hippiegirl - what kind of insurance do you have? That would be out of possibility for me to pay upfront and then wait until insurance reimbursed me.

These are the ones for Mt. Carmel's Bariatric Program in Columbus, OH. Maybe someone can post the Riverside and OSU programs' support meeting dates and times. They are held at Mt. Carmel West Hospital, Medical Staff Bldg, which is just to the left of the Emergency Room entrance, in the Auditorium on the 1st floor. Here are the dates. Jan 7 - New Years Resolutions Feb 4 - Post Op Patient Panel March 3 Relationship and Sex Therapist Presenter April - ANNUAL STYLE SHOW - will be at Polaris Mall - more details to be announced. These are patients at or nearing goal and the mall stores help put them into new outfits and you get to hear their Before and After stories. May 5 food is a Nutrition Tool June 2 Vacation Planning July 7 Self Esteem August 4 Ask the Expert (Dr. Patrician Choban, MD) September -- TBD October 6 Reconstructive Surgery (Dr. Bivik Shah, MD) November 3 Holiday Planning December 1 - Patient Panel - The Gift of Weight Loss - Life Changes

Ladyroz - congratulation on your banding and progress. Keep us posted under the NE 1 been banded at Mt. Carmel thread. There is a group of us with Mt. Carmel surgeons.

I'm sorry to see the Future Ads coming soon on the right hand side now. I guess it was inevitable that someone would want to advertise on here. I hope this doesn't mean you are selling our personal information to those advertisers.