Who'sThere

Thanks for the picture; however, your tummy doesn't look bad to me. However, if I was 131 I would want to be able to sport a bikini or whatever else I wanted! I say go for it. You look great, and I'm sure you'll feel even hotter when you are "all fixed up." Congratulations on a job well done!

You look GREAT! Have you had to have any plastic surgery? I noticed your tummy looks really flat, and your arms look especially great. If you haven't had work done, I'm not sure I like you! (just kidding, of course...some people take my sense of humor too literally) Seriously, you look awesome! Way to go, girl!

Okay...nevermind....now I see that was suggested on the other thread.:thumbup:

I still don't have a date, so I may be either June or July, but I have a suggestion. What about July Jewels?

Some doctors charge what they call a "program fee" that is NOT covered by insurance. Basically, it is their way to get more money. They will probably tell you it pays for informational materials, seminars, etc. That is bull hockey. It is extra money in their pockets. The first surgeon I had an appointment with had a $500 program fee, so I cancelled that appointment. I have heard of them charing much more, like your $3000. I would definitely NOT pay that. Look for another surgeon; that's my advice.

At work several weeks ago we were eating lunch and discussing our weights. Well, my best friend said something about being "so fat", and I told her, "Well, at least you're just overweight." Another girl said, "I can't believe you said that to her!" I explained that since I am morbidly obese, it was meant as a compliment. (My friend knew what I meant and took it as the compliment it was intended to be.) Anyway....congrats! I can't wait to be overweight!

I just told a friend of mine the other day that my secret goal is to be small enough that someone calls me a skinny bitch!:blushing:

Well, it may depend on your surgeon, but I can tell you what mine does. I will have "jumped through all the hoops" on Monday. As soon as that appt. is transcribed, my records will be sent off to insurance. My surgeon won't put me on the calendar until he gets the final ok from my ins. I'm also trying to work quickly as I am a teacher, and I don't want to still be on liquids when we go back to school the first week of August.

I had never imagined being charged for that. Wow! I have had the same doctor since I was a kid, and he is the doctor for my whole family. I suppose I got my letter and records in exchange for years of family loyalty...lol! Actually, my doctor didn't even write my letter. The office manager wrote it, and he signed it. She has known me since I was a highschool cheerleader with her daughter. (Yes, I was the "fat cheerleader", but I was a good one...captain even.) She did as well as he would have anyway.

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who has experienced the untanned top of the legs. I am still waiting to be banded, and I can't wait to have fully tanned legs, too.:blushing:

Geeze! I must have gotten off really easy. All I did was talk to the Dr. for like 20 minutes. He asked questions like, "Are you aware of the risks of this surgery?" I said yes, and he didn't even ask me to explain them or anything. He also asked about my family history, whether I had the support of my husband, etc. Really there wasn't much to it. I feel for those of you who have been given the third degree. That test sounds like enough to make one crazy!

I teach over an hour away from where my preop meeting was, and it started at 4:30. As you can imagine, we were running late. Well, after than meeting, I decided to make the most of my drive and stay for the post op seminar too. Well, I hadn't had lunch since 11:25 (when my kiddies eat), so by the time the meeting was over, I was starving. Apparently my husband has ESP because while the lady was talking about making good food choices, etc., hubby passed me a note saying, "Where are we gonna eat when this is over?" It struck me very funny and I died laughing! Inappropriate laughter is always the best!

I just had to have a referral from my PCP before visiting the surgeon. It's crazy how different all the requirements are. It sounds as though you are well on your way, so congrats to you! Good luck!

With UHC it really depends on which type you have. I have John Deere Select, and I thought my 6mo. diet would have to be with my PCP, but I was able to do it with my surgeon. I haven't had my last weigh-in (it's Monday) so I don't have an approval yet. My advice would be to talk to your surgeon. If he or she is experience, the office staff will probably know the particulars of your exact type of insurance.

I voted for Elijah Samuel, but I am biased. My newest nephew is Eli James, and he is SO precious! (They didn't go with Elijah because my sister-in-law's mom couldn't pronounce it....lol) Also, since I am a teacher, names are hard for me to think about objectively.

My surgeon requires the letter from the PCP regardless of the insurance requirements. I have a very conservative PCP, but he was glad to write the letter (actually the office manager wrote it and he signed it). They have done it before, and they knew what needed to be included. I didn't have to tell them what to write.

When providing my 5 yr. weight history, just how obese do I need to be? My 04 weight was 193 on the page the doctor's office copied for me (BMI 34.2). I'm sure I was heavier later than year. This was in March after I had been sick. In March of 05 I was up to 258 (BMI 45.7). Do you think that I should ask the doctor to look for a page in my chart that shows a higher weight just to be sure, or do you think I should be okay? If anyone has had a similar situation, I would be really glad to hear. BTW, my BMI is 50 now, and I have UHC John Deere Select.

My BMI is 50, and I have no co-morbids. I still don't have an approval yet (will be sent off early this week), but I will be shouting it from the rooftops when I do. The scheduler at my surgeon's office said my ins. co. usually gets them in quickly.

Nearly everyone has been supportive to me (at least to my face...lol). Those who haven't have approached their criticism as concern. I do believe those people have been sincere in their concern. One said, "That's just so drastic." I told him that I am at the point that something drastic is what I must do. I reminded him that losing a foot or something due to diabetes that I may later develop would be drastic, and I am taking a proactive approach. Either way, I know this is something I have to do for myself, and ultimately by myself. I don't mean that I don't have a great support team. I do; my family are all on board. I just know that I am the one who will have to decide daily whether to exercise or sit on the sofa, whether to make wise food choices or eat whatever I want. In that sense, the band and my support team can only do so much. This is something that I will have to follow through with for myself!

I think you have the start of a good stand-up routine here. If you decide to go that way, I'll buy a ticket.

Could this possibly be why the band didn't work for you? (just kidding) Seriously, thanks to everyone for your answers. I'm sure I'll have more quesitons later...

I am hopefully having my surgery sometime in June. My "pre-op" appointment is June 8, and I hope to get a date then. Since it is getting closer, I am coming up with a few questions I had not thought of before. I'm sure y'all will help! 1. Are you completely naked for surgery? I suppose this doesn't matter, but I would just like to know in advance if I get to keep my panties on. (Blush!) 2. How long do you think it will be before I would be able to swim? I have love to float around in the pool, and I hope it won't be too long. 3. How long will it be before I can have sex again? (Blush again!) This is actually a question my husband has. 4. What is one piece (or more) of advice that you wish someone had told you that you didn't know going into this? Thanks in advance for all your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions the closer it gets.

Well, I am getting close! My next appointment is June 8, and it is my sixth weigh-in/7th appt/pre-op appt. I am wondering now just how much time there will be between this appointment, and my actual surgery. Since I have last posted, I have had my psych consult (and passed to the surprise of some of my family members--j/k). I have also scheduled my nutrition class for June 3. That, however, took some doing. There was a misunderstanding about the number of seminars I needed to attend. Luckily, I am finished with those. So, I guess now it is just a waiting game. After my next appt., I'll just be waiting for my surgery.

Well, I am getting close! My next appointment is June 8, and it is my sixth weigh-in/7th appt/pre-op appt. I am wondering now just how much time there will be between this appointment, and my actual surgery. Since I have last posted, I have had my psych consult (and passed to the surprise of some of my family members--j/k). I have also scheduled my nutrition class for June 3. That, however, took some doing. There was a misunderstanding about the number of seminars I needed to attend. Luckily, I am finished with those. So, I guess now it is just a waiting game. After my next appt., I'll just be waiting for my surgery.

Well, my weigh-in was today. I was down 4 pounds! I did very well at luch after the weigh-in, but I had pizza for dinner. Oh, well, as my daddy once told me, tomorrow's another day. I'll do better then.