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naynay, Sue, Kat & livinhealthy72, Thanks for sharing such positive comments and your wonderful experiences. Each of you are a great inspiration !!! Keep up the great work. I will be banded next Friday, and this gives me great motivation to suceed.

Hi NancyLu, I'm scheduled for the 30th as well .....only 10 days to go !!! Today is my second day on the liquid protein diet, so far so good. Good luck to you, keep in touch and let me know how you are coming along.

HALO74, Congrats on being on the "flipside", so glad to hear you are doing well. thanks for keeping us posted and look forward to hearing how your progress goes !!!

AWESOME !!!!!! You are an inspiration I will be banded in 2 weeks, and can't wait. Keep up the GREAT work.

Hi Sheila ! Waiting for the insurance approval was the hardest part for me, so I know how you feel. Once you get it the rest is easy..... Good luck ! Karen

Congratulations on your success...You are an inspiration! Keep up the great work

Hi Marian, I'm scheduled for the 30th as well. I have my pre-op viist on the 19th and start my fast that day. I too am concerned about the fast, but keep telling myslef it is only for a few weeks. I am so excited the day is finally almost here. Would love to chat and support each other. You can email me directly at phoenix2009@comcast.net Good luck with your surgery ! Karen

Hi Heather, welcome ! Congratulation on your weight loss and also maintaining it :wink: I am having band surgery in 2 weeks, on the 30th. I would love to chat with a long time bandster. If you are intrested you can email me directly at phoenix2009@comcast.net Good luck with your tummy tuck surgery next week. Karen

Hi and welcome ! I too am an RN, was in critical care (ER & ICU) for 20 years, however move into the Pharmaceutical field a little over 10 years ago. I have completed all the pre-surgical tasks required by the insurance company and was just approved, surgery is scheduled for the 30th of this month.....a little over 2 weeks away, and I am thrilled. Good luck to you along your journey !

Peanutband....glad to hear all went well. Keep us posted as to how you are feeling, and how life with the band is going for you.

Anyone else scheduled for the 30th?

muffie99, That is WONDERFUL ....Congratulations!!! I too just received insurance company final approval, so my date is confirmed for the 30th, the day after yours ! My pre-surgical visit is the 19th, which is also the day I start the full liquid protein diet. The day I got the approval we booked a trip to Paris for my 50th birthday in late June.....so I have 5 months of incentive to do whatever it takes to be successful ....so much to be grateful for in 2009 :thumbup:

daqui, I am so sorry to hear that you have to wait another 3 months. For me, the waiting was the hardest part of the process (although patience never has been my strongest virture :thumbup:). Good luck, stay strong....this will still be your year !!!!

Hi Sar2748, Great that we are getting banded on the same day ! We are only 4 weeks away !!! Felt like January would never come, now our day will be here before we know it. Dr's submitted the paperwork for the final insurance approval last week, and they expect a response next week. (keeping my fingers crossed). I have 2 weeks on unjury Protein shakes before the surgery. I've tried several of the flavors, and they taste pretty good, but have a mild smell that I find hard to get past...but I could tolerate for 2 weeks. I am going to ask the Dr next week if he has other suggestions to try. My surgery will be done near Philadelphia, PA. Good luck, keep in touch.

In a few short hours it will be January....."January Hotties" THIS IS OUR MONTH !!!! I'll be starting a 2 week modified diet tomorrow, full protein shakes mid-month, and surgery scheduled for Jan 30th. Would love to chat with other January bandsters as you have your surgery throughout the month...good luck to everyone. Feel free to contact me directly at phoenix2009@comcast.net

I'll be banded in January , and vacationing in Greece in June!

Hi January bandsters !!! I'm scheduled for January 30th. I'm finishing up the 3 month pre-op work required by the insurance company. The surgeon can file for final approval in January.....keeping my fingers crossed all goes well with the approval. Still 8 weeks away, but the holidays should make the time fly by.

I had the same concerns and wrote the OA world service office for advice on whether I would still be welcomed in OA meetings and how to share. Their reply was very accepting and loving. "The only requirement is the desire to refrain from compulsive eating and that without a doubt there is no reason that you should not be welcome at any OA meeting. In reference to how you might share, the only thing that I can say is that even though the surgery itself is what we would refer as an outside issue, recovery needs to be 3 folded and you would still have much to share on how to keep physical recovery based on spiritual and emotional recovery. The fact that you are a member of OA who wants to recover should be all that is necessary! " Hope this helps resolves any concerns anyone may have. Together we can!

Thanks Lori Ann. Congrats on your weight loss....WAY TO GO !

Heard the Dummies is a good book, will have to check it out. I learned a lot from the handouts given to me during my visits and this forum. I don't have to start the protein drinks until 2 weeks before surgery, but started checking them out now to see which ones I like. The nutritionist gave me a sample of Unjury which I haven't tried yet. I've tried Muscle Milk which I like (except for the banana cream), and EAS which I would tolerate.

Heard the Dummies is a good book, will have to check it out. I learned a lot from the handouts given to me during my visits and this forum. I don't have to start the protein drinks until 2 weeks before surgery, but started checking them out now to see which ones I like. The nutritionist gave me a sample of Unjury which I haven't tried yet. I've tried Muscle Milk which I like, and EAS which I would tolerate.

I was wondering. Has anyone ever heard of someone being denied by Aetna Insurance (or others) for losing too much weight BEFORE surgery? The surgeon said qualification is based on your weight on the day you first meet with him and enroll in the process, not your weight at the time of surgery,....but wanted to know if anyone has heard otherwise?

Hi, I'm new to the forum as well. Like you, currently in the preliminary phase. Surgery is scheduled for 1/30/2009 depending on final approval by the insurance company. Last week had the 1st of 3 visits with the nutritionist, physical therapy assessment followed by the 1st of 6 monitored exercise sessions, and the phychological eval. Seems like a long wait, but the holidays should help the time go by quickly ! Good luck to you !

Hi Everyone, I'm a new member here. Went to a lap band seminar in May '08, and after giving it some thought checked with my insurance company (Aetna), and had my first appointment with the surgeon Dr Tull on 10/10. We set a surgery date 16 weeks out for January 30, 2009 to allow time for the prep phase required by insurance. Keeping my fingers crossed for final insurance approval sometime in January. 10/22 - first visit of 3 visits with the Nutritionist, the Psychological Exam, and Physical Therapy evaluation....what a whirlwind of a day !!! 10/14 - first cardiac monitored exercise session (every Friday for 6 weeks) Everyone at the Dr's office & hospital have been very nice and supportive. Also, this forum has been really helpful in giving me so much information, thanks EVERYONE ! Still have a little over 13 weeks until surgery. Seems sooooooo far away, but I think the holidays will make the time fly by. Guess I just wanted to say hi, see if there is anyone else scheduled for around the same time to share the journey, and learn from those that have gone before me. Karen