nrmanning

I went to tickerfactory.com. It is a cool thing to use. They have cute ones to use.

I know what you mean. My surgery is 5 weeks away from today and I am anxious and feel like I am trying to get all the information I can. The thing I don't get the information specifically from my doctor until a few more weeks. I know what protein shakes I am supposed to start on Nov 20 and that is the Isopure but other than that I am trying to absorb as much as I can from this site and a couple others. You are not alone in trying to get ready. Hang in there, time will pass quickly.

Hello everyone, I think there are two threads for December. There is also one under Monthly Lap-Band support groups - 2008 bandsters - December 2008 Bandsters. Just wanted to mention that since there are so many of us. I am really excited and nervous all at the same time. Nina

Hey everyone, Time is passing. I gave like 10 tubes of blood yesterday for pre-op, echo out of the way and now I am on to losing some weight to get that liver down. I figure it would not hurt to start now instead of waiting until the two week window. I like the December Holiday Hotties or just Holiday Hotties, either one is cool with me. Everyone, have a great day!

I have a December 4 date. So excited

Hi Sarah, A psych consult was not apart of my pre-op plan with my dr but I decided I would go on my own and went this week to see a therapist through my work. She suggested OA. She said although I was having the surgery, it would help to understand how I got to this size and the emotional triggers that have brought me here. I have not decided whether to go before or after surgery but am thinking I should probably go. Hope that helps. Nina

Hang in there. I don't have my band but read these forums for motivation for what's ahead. I know it is a journey and you can do it! Believe in yourself. Nina

Hey Joann, Wow, 45 days. That sounds so much better than 6 1/2 weeks. :biggrin: I am thinking I need to put a big calendar on the wall and cross off the days! I like the name Holiday Hotties. I think that would fit and definately for both genders. I read so many different threads so not sure if I posted this here or not, don't see it so here goes. I start my liquid diet on Nov 20 and can eat one "sensible" meal a day. I just have finally gotten a complete understanding of the liver shrinking thing and it appears from what I have read that carbs are the enemy (hehehehe). I have to do the lab work this week, blood work and echocardiogram (don't know how to spell that). Plus even though my dr does not require a psych consult, I am going to go talk to someone this week just for me. I am cutting back on the soda, I only allow one a day then I will go to a half and then none. Also I cust my coffee to half decaf and half regular starting today. Then I will switch over to decaf completely within the next two weeks. So many changes but I am so excited. Nina

I have a blog but just started it last week. I felt the need to just try and get my feelings out and so I did. Might be boring to some but it helps me. Its in my signature below. I will read yours. I am sure reading others journey will help me.

Hello to all the December bandsters! I am getting more and more excited. Once this past Thursday passed I realized now my surgery is only a little over six weeks away. Six weeks is not that long and Dec 4 will be here before I know it. Not looking forward to missing Turkey day dinner since I will be on my liquid diet then but my one meal can be a salad and some turkey as long as I remove the skin, got that cleared from the dr so at least I get to eat that. I read in another thread about the liver shrinking and did not realize how important that is and how carbs can cause so many problems to the liver shrinking. Anyway, just wanted to say a quick hello and hope you all are doing well.

Don't give up. I know that is easy for us to say because I can only imagine how you are feeling. I started this journey in Feb/March of this year and after being denied, appealing and being denied again. I gave up. A good friend suggested I use the dr another friend of hers had used which is where I was going to go at first but decided to go to a different dr. Anyway long story short, this new dr is a patient advocate which means his office works to get you approved and will keep trying until they can't try anymore. I was approved last week and my surgery date is 12/4. I have united healthcare and like everyone else says, DON'T GIVE UP. Pray and be faithful that this is the answer and everything will work out. The interesting thing is that the reason I was denied was because they said I basically was not sick enough (have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, depression just to name a few). My primary care doctor sent a letter with my five year history but UHC said that was not sufficient. So I was told by the second dr to get the actual pages the dr writes their notes on and send that in and presto I was approved within a week. So like someone else posted, find out what it is and work it girl!

Hi, I have a date of December 4th! Seems so long away but its almost been a week since I actually got the date so time is a moving along! Nina:thumbup:

The first time I was denied, it was because I was not sick enough. So I think this time the difference was the drs notes instead of a letter from my dr with my height and weight. Nina:teeth_smile:

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the responses.:thumbup:

I feel like there is so much information and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. My surgery date is Dec 4 which is a little over 7 weeks away. I have been reading the different threads for information but think the more I read the more overwhelmed I become. This is what I have been told. Blood tests/echocardiogram this week (not sure if I spelled that right) liquid diet starts 11/20 Surgery dec 4 I have read on here about many people having a psych consult. Do all drs do that? I feel like I am missing out on something. I started this journey in Feb (I posted March in another thread) and had to switch drs due to not getting any help from the dr to fight the insurance after first two denials. Thoughts?:smile2:

Thanks for answering my question. I feel like I read so much and still have so many questions.

United Healthcare actually took only 9 days for approval after the paperwork was submitted.

Hang in there, I felt the same way with United Healthcare. Let me tell you what I did and see if it will help. I went to Dr. Felix Spiegel back in March/April (can't remember exactly) and went through the seminar, etc. Did all the paperwork for insurance and then united healthcare came back and said they needed the 5 year history, provided that in a letter from my dr. they said that was not proof enough and denied me because I was not sick enough. I appealed and was denied again. Now mind you, I have documented high blood pressure, severe sleep apnea, and depression. So I gave up. The problem is that Dr. Spiegel's office did not help me fight and that is why I gave up. My best friend told me a friend she knows went to a different doctor that was a patient advocate which meant they would fight for you and help you get approved. I then went to Dr. Ferrari in August and and after a through discussion with his admin staff they told me the copies of the drs notes is what is needed. So I had to go through this long drama with Kelsey Seybold but I was blessed to find a guy that gave me what I needed. But I got discouraged because it was October and I had not heard anything, (hurricane Ike delayed stuff) I finally got a letter from the insurance on Thursday and was approved. So I say this, make sure the dr you choose does the fighting for you (patient advocate is the word my dr uses) because in my case that made the difference. Hope this helps. Nina

Hello everyone, I mentioned in the intro forum I finally have my approval from my insurance United Healthcare. My surgery date is Dec 4. It would have been sooner but unable to get off from work and have to wait until school is almost over for the term. But that being said...my dr said I have to lose 10 lbs before surgery so I have to go on a liquid diet on Nov 20. Is that so my body gets used to the liquids and not eating? I know I should have asked that question to the nurse but was so stunned. This is all new to me. Nina

Hello everyone, my name is Nina and I finally after 7 or so months, have insurance approval. I had to find another doctor because the dr I went to the first time did not even help me fight for insurance approval. The insurance company told me the date is Nov 3 but I am waiting on the dr for sure.