RKidder

Trish - best of luck to you, hon. You will be just fine. Before you know it, you will be on your way to your best "you". I am an RN and the heparin injections are not bad if you inject into your lower abdomen. Be sure to "pinch an inch" so to speak, when you give yourself the injections - you will not feel it as much - don't rub the site after you've done it though, you may have some bruising, which is normal. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope to get my surgery date soon. Take Care, Rachel

I, too. am waiting for insurance approval. I requested a copy of my insurance company's policy on weight loss surgery. I reviewed it, and my primary care physician and endocrinologist agreed with me that I met all of their criteria. Letters of medical necessity from my doctors were mailed out last week. I enclosed all information I gathered about the Bariatric Program at Portstmouth Regional Hospital, New Hampshire. So now I am playing the waiting game. Next week I am meeting with the Bariatric Coordinator, Nutritionist, Physical Therapist, and Psychologist - all on the same day, as I live 2 hours away. I will be staying the night before, as I plan to attend the Support Group that evening. I am determined, and I feel I have done my homework, so to speak. I found on the website that there are sample letters of appeal you can send to your insurance company. Be strong, be determined and don't give up. Best of luck to you sweetie. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rachel

Thank you all so very much for your feedback! I think I will try slimfast in between meals. I have lost 4 lbs (big whoop...) of the 10# I need to lose prior to surgery. I will also try adding another day to my gym work-outs. Warmly, Rachel

No surgery date yet - just in the process of meeting with program coordinator, P.T., nutritionist and psychologist next week. Awaiting approval by my insurance company (mine and my husband's)

I am trying so hard to lose the 10 lbs. I am required to lose prior to surgery. I am considering ordering Meridia online. Since I have started being on insulin for my diabetes, my appetite has been out of control! I feel instense hunger all the time. I am eating weight watchers meals, but then I get the hungry horrors and irritable 3 hours later. I am also working out at the gym 3 days a week. I try eating yogurt in between meals, and also carrots. I drink lots and lots of Water in hopes of feeling full - it is not working! Help!! Thanks LBT, for allowing me to vent my frustrations. Rachel :help:

It is very normal to feel the way you do. When you arrive at the hospital, why don't you let the nursing staff know that you are a bit anxious. Perhaps they could get a mild sedative for you - it should help you get past the worst -- before you know it, it will be all done. Best of luck to you tomorrow, my prayers go with you. Rachel

My husband wants me to be healthy and happy. He went with me to the seminar on 6/15. Awaiting approval from insurance company. Husband has been fantastic about my decision to get the banding done. He did not want me having gastric bypass. Personally, I have 3 immediate close friends and relatives that all had complications from gastric bypass. I am so looking forward to feeling healthy again. Rachel

My PCP's office called today. They are mailing my letter of medical necessity to both insurance companies. Yeahhhh! Now I am waiting for my endocrinologist to do the same. Wait, Wait, Wait... Worked out for 2 hours at the gym today - man, am I sore. :clap2:

My PCP's office called today. They are mailing my letter of medical necessity to both insurance companies. Yeahhhh! Now I am waiting for my endocrinologist to do the same. Wait, Wait, Wait... Worked out for 2 hours at the gym today - man, am I sore. :clap2:

Portsmouth has 3 surgeons at Portsmouth Regional Hospital that have an excellent Bariatric Program. I am in the process of getting my "pre-op" stuff done and awaiting approval from insurance company. I live in Lewiston. Rachel

:help: HI! Did anyone who was banded in Portsmouth have to lose weight prior to surgery? I have to lose 10 lbs. and I am so afraid that I won't be able to do it. I am going to Weight Watchers and working out at the gym. I don't even have my surgery date - I wonder if I will be turned down by the surgeon if I don't lose all the weight...Since being on insulin for my Diabetes, I am finding it so hard to lose weight. In advance, thanks for any help you can give me. Rachel

This may sound strange, but I am curious to know if you can feel the band? Can you feel the port under your skin? I am planning to have lap banding in the fall. I am not afraid of the discomfort - just want to know how noticeable it is to you. Does the port stick out from under the skin? Rachel :scared:

It makes such good sense to love your body at any size -- but I have some work to do in that area. I avoid looking in mirrors and store fronts where I can see my reflection. I see someone else - not me. I see a bloated, frumpy, matronly person staring back at me. I don't even change my clothes in front of my new wonderful husband. Lights dim whenever possible - I use the excuse that I love candlelight.... I am hoping to have my lap-banding in the fall. Doing all the paperwork and have my first appointment on July 25th. The psychologist will probably have a field day with me! http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;8;127;0;0/c/-23/t/-117/k/cd7a/weight.png Rachel

All the best to you...you will be in my prayers. <a href="<A href="http://www.GlitterMaker.com/"><img">http://www.GlitterMaker.com/"><img src="http://www.GlitterMaker.com/created2/115224268439474.gif" border="0" alt="http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics"></a><br><a href="<A href="http://www.GlitterMaker.com/">http://www.GlitterMaker.com/">http://www.GlitterMaker.com/">http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics</a>

Not banded yet, but love my Zen Nano when I am on the treadmill. It helps me get my "rhythm" on...

Maggie, Would you mind if I asked what the cost was to retain an attorney to appeal? Thanks, Rachel

Oh my gosh! My stripper name would be: Zora Dionne Marie Jefferson -- or ZJ for short...too funny!

I am so happy for you! Congratulations. You are my inspiration for the road ahead for me. I have not been banded yet. Best of luck to you for remainder of your journey. God Bless... Rachel

HI! Thanks for the kind words. My name is Rachel. Hope we can meet sometime. Here is my email: ravecoder@aol.com

Hi Trish, Rachel here. I just went to my seminar on June 15th in Portsmouth, NH. (I live in Maine, 2 hours away.) I contacted my insurance company and was told the first time that the lap banding was not a covered procedure. I called again and requested their written policy on weight loss surgery - according to it, I meet the criteria! So, if at first you don't succeed - try getting in their faces and request everything in writing! I am scheduled for my first appointment in less than a month. I am hoping to have the surgery around October. Best of luck to you!

Went to seminar on 6/15. Great presentation! Impressed with surgeons. Application completed and submitted. Waiting for my PCP and Endocrinologist to write letters of medical necessity. Aetna sent me copy of criteria to be met - looks like I meet them! Just waiting to hear back from Portsmouth. Would like to do this in the fall. Working on losing the first 10 pounds on my own. Dr. switched me to Byetta to help with weight loss - awful headaches and nausea...not sure this is the way I want to lose this.

Went to seminar on 6/15. Great presentation! Impressed with surgeons. Application completed and submitted. Waiting for my PCP and Endocrinologist to write letters of medical necessity. Aetna sent me copy of criteria to be met - looks like I meet them! Just waiting to hear back from Portsmouth. Would like to do this in the fall. Working on losing the first 10 pounds on my own. Dr. switched me to Byetta to help with weight loss - awful headaches and nausea...not sure this is the way I want to lose this.

Went to Portsmouth and attended the seminar on 6/15. Hubby came with me - very supportive! I brought the application home and competed it and sent last week. Received criteria in the mail from my insurance company - looks like I meet the criteria... Waiting for my PCP and Endocrinologist to write letters of medical necessity. Can't wait to get this "show on the road"! Really would like to have lap-banding in the fall. We'll see. Working on losing the first 10 lbs. prior to surgery. (Required by Bariatric program to lose 10% of the number of pounds needed to lose, prior to surgery. This is to show your commitment...) Prayers welcome.... Rachel

2:20 am Can't sleep, too wound up. My mind is reeling. I will be going to first seminar in Portsmouth, NH this evening. Will I be scared, elated, excited, curious? Yes, all of the above. My greatest fear(s): I am an RN who has done a lot of research on the lap banding. Will the doctors be intimidated by my list of questions? Will they shy away from taking me on as a patient because I am a medical professional myself (she asks too many questions...) Will my insurance cover this? Will my husband's insurance cover this? Who knows? My PCP supports me and will write necessary letter, as well as my endocrinologist. (Thanks). Have to get some sleep - big day today.

2:20 am Can't sleep, too wound up. My mind is reeling. I will be going to first seminar in Portsmouth, NH this evening. Will I be scared, elated, excited, curious? Yes, all of the above. My greatest fear(s): I am an RN who has done a lot of research on the lap banding. Will the doctors be intimidated by my list of questions? Will they shy away from taking me on as a patient because I am a medical professional myself (she asks too many questions...) Will my insurance cover this? Will my husband's insurance cover this? Who knows? My PCP supports me and will write necessary letter, as well as my endocrinologist. (Thanks). Have to get some sleep - big day today.