Mrs Sabre

Dianne, it sounds like staying in your PJs is exactly what you need to be doing. I hope you feel better soon! As for a shopping idea for 30 people, I have two words for you .... gift cards

Our Christmas performance was even better last night than it was on Saturday evening. The Holy Spirit was all over that church, and I think everyone was moved to tears at one point or another. Someone even accepted Jesus as their personal Savior! God is so awesome! Between choir practices and 4 days in bed with a sinus infection, everything is late for me this year. Mailed cards and gifts will be late, and we're skipping the tree this year.

To my pleasant surprise, Dr. Kuwada called me at home this afternoon. He wanted to explain his delay in sending my insurance letter, in spite of all preliminaries being done. As you may recall, he has to be recertificed by Inamed and has to have 2 surgeries scheduled together before Inamed will send someone to proxy his technique. He explained that they're waiting to submit my insurance letter at the same time as someone else's, so they'd be approved about the same time. Apparently some insurance companies' approvals are only valid for a period of time. If that time elapses, it can be difficult to be re-approved. I re-iterated that I'm not concerned about when I'm schedule for surgery as much as I'm anxious over whether or not I'll get approved. Anxiety over what I'll do if not approved. He is going to have his insurance person contact my carrier and find out for how long approval for surgery is valid. From there he can determine when to send the letter and not run out of time while getting a second patient approved.

Yes, it was great seeing everyone! I too love my ornament. Angie, thanks for the chili; it'll make a great lunch tomorrow!

Christmas program was awesome! Now that we've made it through the nervousness of the first performance, I'm thinking it's likely to be even better this evening

Just a reminder about the musical this weekend. Everyone is welcome to come!

The biopsies done during my endoscopy came back normal

Cool beans! I'm on there now Maybe this could be made a "sticky" thread?

May God bless you through whatever path he leads you!

Congratulations on your pending surgery; I'm sure you'll do just fine

I hope you feel better soon! I know anesthesia turns me into a whiny baby; so I'm going to try to sleep it off when my time comes.

Congratulations and welcome!

Thanks for the support everyone; this is exactly why I love this board! Jack, the waiting does/has renewed my dedication; "I'm patient", but ready Magic, I have United Health Care thru my employer.

Magic asked my progress; so here's a recap. I started researching Lap-Band in August. At that time, Dr. V's future was very uncertain. Dr. Bauman is further away than I prefer to travel. The only other Lap-Band surgeon I could identify is Dr. Kuwada at CMC. I'm 5'6" and +/- 236 pounds. My BMI is 38.6. The bad news is my co-morbidities aren't very significant. The good news is my insurance coverage through work is among the more liberal for WLS. Saw PCP in Aug; he's in full agreement of my desire for Lap-Band, refers me to a weight management specialist. See weight management specialist in Sept; he concurs and wants a repeat sleep study. In Sept I also have a consultation with sleep specialist and schedule sleep study. In Oct I have my initial consultation w/surgeon. Note: He's new to this area and has to be re-certified by Inamed. Even if approved, this could delay surgery date because he has to have multiple (2-3) surgeries scheduled together before Inamed will send someone to proxy his technique. In Oct I also undergo a repeat sleep study. Although somewhat worse, my apnea still isn't severe enough to treat with a CPAP. Study does confirm that my Restless Leg medication is working perfectly, and also makes specific recommendation of weight loss. I have my psychological and nutrition evaluations in Nov. Both agree that I'm a fine candidate for surgery. I also have blood work done. Good cholesterol is low; bad cholesterol is high; but total cholesterol isn't that bad. Otherwise, my labs are normal. I had my endoscopy last week. There were a couple spots of mild inflammation in the bottom of my stomach that were biopsied. The gastroenterologist seemed completely uncerned about these findings, stating biopsies were standard procedure. Having said all of this, I was told over two weeks that my letter would go out to the insurance as quick as the doctor dictated it. I have called my insurance; they have yet to receive a letter. I called the doctor's nurse practitioner two days ago, and she has yet to return my call. Get me through insurance approval, and I'll be less anxious, even if I should have to wait for a surgery date.

When I grow up, I wanna be just like you! But seriously, Way To Go Kim! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

God is so Good! Congratulations! I hope to follow you in the not too distant future Hey Magic, are you coming to lunch on Saturday at Ruby Tuesdays?

Our prayers go with you! I believe in miracles. Someone could still cancel or reschedule. I don't know if it's a possibility or not, but have you called any other surgeon's offices, i.e. Prebeterian Hospital's Bariatric center? Is RNY an option? If so, Dr. Kuwada or someone at CMC might be able to operate?

Count me in, ornament in hand

Although my surgeon isn't requiring weight loss as a condition of surgery; he would like to see me lose 10-15 pounds before. The two week liquid diet prior to surgery will likely achieve that goal without any additional effort on my part.

Kim, I'm glad to here that you're home and that Curtis is doing so well. I hope you feel well soon! I really look forward to lunch on Saturday, and hope everyone can make it this time

That is awesome! God is so good!

My endoscopy went fine. The doctor did find two areas of inflammation in the bottom of my stomach that he did biopsies on. He said it was common procedure and didn't seem at all concerned about it. Now I guess it's just a matter of how quickly my surgeon gets the report and dictates my letter. Who knows, maybe I will get my surgery date for Christmas?

Good luck Penni! I too pray your band is good.

Now Kathy, don't go stealing my Plan B

Hi Everyone, I have my endoscopy tomorrow morning. It feels like I've been waiting for it forever, and it's finally here. My packet hasn't gone to the insurance yet, and as I get to know Dr. Kuwada and his staff better; I don't think he'll send it until the endo results get back. Although I hate the wait, this is not a bad thing because the results should document another co-morbidity (GERD) to help support my request for surgery. I'm in the same division as Kim. I feel guilty; I was tagged for placement in another business unit months ago. The purchasing entity won't even know I exist. I'm not sure when I'll start my new job, but I already know the folks I'll work with because they used to be part of my current division. Saturday, I had my hair wacked off real short and burgundy low lights put in it. My hair is really thick, and I've been growing it for quite a while. My husband kept harrassing me about getting it trimmed and thinned. I went a big step beyond trimmed, and have a "boy cut". It actually looks good, but it's too short for his taste.