thetig

Hi Doodlebug, I started on the journey in January. I still do not have my DOS but I am hoping it will be soon. I do not have to go on a pre op diet. I guess different Docs different ideas. I hope we can be friends. Cheryl

"The Waiting Is The Hardest Part", Great words by Tom Petty and how true they are. This week has been full of Echos, Chest Xray, Fasting blood work, EKG and the most precious "Letter of Clearance" from my Cardiologist. I am really amazed as to how fast you get the results from all the test but now I have to wait for Blue Cross to fininsh their part so that I can be approved for the Band! I am so very very ready for all of this to happen. I read other blogs and find out the weight loss of these bandsters and I just want to be a part of them. I am still pretty much eating whatever I want but I must say I am really getting tired of it. I know that a lot of you might think that I am crazy of getting tired of eating, but I am. I am really use to being on a "Diet" all the time this seems weird to me. I have not gone totally off the boards with the food just eating like a normal person, but since I had been on a strict South Beach for a year and had lost 32 pounds by eating nothing really I have now gained back 16 of those pounds and I am feeling gross again. I have my protein shake powder with different flavorings as well as different broths and of course my favorite the sugar free popsicle all ready for the banding. In the mean time I have found a great new business to be a part of. I have just started but the potential for making money in this economy is really great. I will keep my blog posted on my progress with this as well as my weight. Until the next entry......when I am hoping for my A Okay for Surgery!!!!!!

"The Waiting Is The Hardest Part", Great words by Tom Petty and how true they are. This week has been full of Echos, Chest Xray, Fasting blood work, EKG and the most precious "Letter of Clearance" from my Cardiologist. I am really amazed as to how fast you get the results from all the test but now I have to wait for Blue Cross to fininsh their part so that I can be approved for the Band! I am so very very ready for all of this to happen. I read other blogs and find out the weight loss of these bandsters and I just want to be a part of them. I am still pretty much eating whatever I want but I must say I am really getting tired of it. I know that a lot of you might think that I am crazy of getting tired of eating, but I am. I am really use to being on a "Diet" all the time this seems weird to me. I have not gone totally off the boards with the food just eating like a normal person, but since I had been on a strict South Beach for a year and had lost 32 pounds by eating nothing really I have now gained back 16 of those pounds and I am feeling gross again. I have my protein shake powder with different flavorings as well as different broths and of course my favorite the sugar free popsicle all ready for the banding. In the mean time I have found a great new business to be a part of. I have just started but the potential for making money in this economy is really great. I will keep my blog posted on my progress with this as well as my weight. Until the next entry......when I am hoping for my A Okay for Surgery!!!!!!

First of all I feel bad because I have not been writing down my thoughts but then not a whole lot has happened........ I had the endoscopy a week and a half ago. That was fun! The Doctor was very good and fast. The procedure went well and it only took about 45 minutes. I stayed home the rest of the day from work and I am glad that I did. Had a sore throat for a couple of days after and then back to normal...... I called my surgeons office that same day due to the fact that Blue Cross had denied my procedure because of the facility not being a proper gastric bypass and lap band facility. Well, this was an easy fix now I have an appointment with Dr. Michael Feiz and then I will be able to go to Cedars for the procedure and this will all be good per Nicole. Okay......not a problem for me. I made the appointment with Dr. Feiz and found him to be a really nice guy. I liked him right away. He decided since I had taken phenfen so long ago that I should have an Echo of my heart done and because of the heartburn that I have been having he said that if I should have a hernia he would remove it at the same time as my procedure. No problem. I got back to my office around noon was in luck because I was able to get the echo done right then and I was able to get the report from my Endoscopy. Heart was in real good strong health and the endoscopy found that I have a hiatal hernia. Seems like Dr. Feiz just new that was going to be there, too funny. Well, in the morning I will be having my yearly blood work done and a chest xray along with a visit with my cardiologist. I will then need a letter from him for clearance for my surgery and all will be faxed off to Blue Cross and then I will be approved and my date will be set. I am so ready for this...... I have been eating everything that I want to taste and I am so very tired of all the carbs. I am ready for the protein and veggies to be back in my life and all my fat to melt away! This will be very very good!

First of all I feel bad because I have not been writing down my thoughts but then not a whole lot has happened........ I had the endoscopy a week and a half ago. That was fun! The Doctor was very good and fast. The procedure went well and it only took about 45 minutes. I stayed home the rest of the day from work and I am glad that I did. Had a sore throat for a couple of days after and then back to normal...... I called my surgeons office that same day due to the fact that Blue Cross had denied my procedure because of the facility not being a proper gastric bypass and lap band facility. Well, this was an easy fix now I have an appointment with Dr. Michael Feiz and then I will be able to go to Cedars for the procedure and this will all be good per Nicole. Okay......not a problem for me. I made the appointment with Dr. Feiz and found him to be a really nice guy. I liked him right away. He decided since I had taken phenfen so long ago that I should have an Echo of my heart done and because of the heartburn that I have been having he said that if I should have a hernia he would remove it at the same time as my procedure. No problem. I got back to my office around noon was in luck because I was able to get the echo done right then and I was able to get the report from my Endoscopy. Heart was in real good strong health and the endoscopy found that I have a hiatal hernia. Seems like Dr. Feiz just new that was going to be there, too funny. Well, in the morning I will be having my yearly blood work done and a chest xray along with a visit with my cardiologist. I will then need a letter from him for clearance for my surgery and all will be faxed off to Blue Cross and then I will be approved and my date will be set. I am so ready for this...... I have been eating everything that I want to taste and I am so very tired of all the carbs. I am ready for the protein and veggies to be back in my life and all my fat to melt away! This will be very very good!

Well, here I am in week three after first appointment with the Surgeon. I had my appointment with the GI Doc on Thursday and I am all signed up for the Endoscopy on the 18th. Does not sound like it will be very difficult but I do need to take a whole day off work. Not a problem. The procedure will start at 7:30 am and I should be back home by noon. Pre op is easy nothing to eat or drink after midnight then I will be on clear liquids the rest of the day. I just might start my pre op diet before LB surgery then also. I will have to see when my surgery date is. I have been told that it will be very soon after endoscopy but how long is very soon. I will send Nicole an email as to the date of the endo and then I was told I will pay for the LB and the date will be chosen. I am so ready. I have been eating all of my favorite foods knowing that I will not be eating them for maybe ever. That is okay at least I will have the memory of the taste. I have to say that I have felt really crummy since I started on this EAT! I was so use to eating on South Beach, truth be known I like the Beach best! Feels good not having all of those CARBS in my system. I am also a every day wine drinker ( one bottle by myself a day, not bragging just stating) and guess what, it has not been very hard slowing that down either in fact I have stopped altogether now. I am drinking a form of crystal lite in water instead. I was told by the GI doc that not every one up chucks with the LB, he was saying that even spicy foods would not be a problem (I love my Salsa) so I am not going to go into this thinking that life is going to be throwing up all the time. That is good! I was reading another blog on LBT this week where she was talking about the wrinkles that will suddenly appear since we are not of the youngest of years. I talked to a few people and I think that if I am able to do my 30 mins three times a week walking and then work up to free weights the skin will not sag as much because I will be keeping my muscles going and getting rid of fat only. This is going to be my goal. The only part of me that I am really concerned about are my boobies. They have gotten huge due to my Norwegian and German heritage! They will more then likely sag a lot :scared2: but maybe then the insurance will pay for a boobie reduction! I never did have small ones though. LOL. Well, I guess I am done for this week. I will write more next Saturday. Not much will be happening this week. I really like having a place where I can write my thoughts. Thanks for being here LBT! Cheryl

Well, here I am in week three after first appointment with the Surgeon. I had my appointment with the GI Doc on Thursday and I am all signed up for the Endoscopy on the 18th. Does not sound like it will be very difficult but I do need to take a whole day off work. Not a problem. The procedure will start at 7:30 am and I should be back home by noon. Pre op is easy nothing to eat or drink after midnight then I will be on clear liquids the rest of the day. I just might start my pre op diet before LB surgery then also. I will have to see when my surgery date is. I have been told that it will be very soon after endoscopy but how long is very soon. I will send Nicole an email as to the date of the endo and then I was told I will pay for the LB and the date will be chosen. I am so ready. I have been eating all of my favorite foods knowing that I will not be eating them for maybe ever. That is okay at least I will have the memory of the taste. I have to say that I have felt really crummy since I started on this EAT! I was so use to eating on South Beach, truth be known I like the Beach best! Feels good not having all of those CARBS in my system. I am also a every day wine drinker ( one bottle by myself a day, not bragging just stating) and guess what, it has not been very hard slowing that down either in fact I have stopped altogether now. I am drinking a form of crystal lite in water instead. I was told by the GI doc that not every one up chucks with the LB, he was saying that even spicy foods would not be a problem (I love my Salsa) so I am not going to go into this thinking that life is going to be throwing up all the time. That is good! I was reading another blog on LBT this week where she was talking about the wrinkles that will suddenly appear since we are not of the youngest of years. I talked to a few people and I think that if I am able to do my 30 mins three times a week walking and then work up to free weights the skin will not sag as much because I will be keeping my muscles going and getting rid of fat only. This is going to be my goal. The only part of me that I am really concerned about are my boobies. They have gotten huge due to my Norwegian and German heritage! They will more then likely sag a lot :thumbup: but maybe then the insurance will pay for a boobie reduction! I never did have small ones though. LOL. Well, I guess I am done for this week. I will write more next Saturday. Not much will be happening this week. I really like having a place where I can write my thoughts. Thanks for being here LBT! Cheryl

Thanks for the encouragement!

:thumbup:Well, a week has now passed since my first appointment with Dr. Nazarian. Nicole has been great with information and keeping in touch with me. I have spoken to the Nutritionist, she was really great, and I have made my appointment for my visit for the Endoscopy for next week. As soon as I am able to have the Endoscopy and it shows normal I will be ready for surgery. I am having a hard time sleeping at night wondering if I am making the right decision. The cost involved is a lot but I do realize that my health and welfare is worth more. I almost fell out of my chair when I heard about the cost with insurance. I new that the doctor I chose was a non participating doc so I knew then that Blue Cross would only go 50%. Not bad but....... $7,500.00 is going to be the total cost which will include 5 or more fills. I was hoping for around $4,000.00 , Oh Well! My DH is great and he said that if I really want to do this we will find a way to pay for it. It sure is great to have the support! Looks like I will be banded the end of February or the first of March! I will be glad to have it done. I have a question that keeps going around and around in my mind: Is this just another one of my crazy ideas for loosing weight that will work for awhile and then Stop! Then I will be chubby again! I guess when you have tried all of the FADS for so many years this is a normal way to think! I just keep saying to myself, "Self, I Can Do This! I Can Be Thin Again and Stay That Way!" This will be a good thing. Cheryl :blushing:

:thumbup:Well, a week has now passed since my first appointment with Dr. Nazarian. Nicole has been great with information and keeping in touch with me. I have spoken to the Nutritionist, she was really great, and I have made my appointment for my visit for the Endoscopy for next week. As soon as I am able to have the Endoscopy and it shows normal I will be ready for surgery. I am having a hard time sleeping at night wondering if I am making the right decision. The cost involved is a lot but I do realize that my health and welfare is worth more. I almost fell out of my chair when I heard about the cost with insurance. I new that the doctor I chose was a non participating doc so I knew then that Blue Cross would only go 50%. Not bad but....... $7,500.00 is going to be the total cost which will include 5 or more fills. I was hoping for around $4,000.00 , Oh Well! My DH is great and he said that if I really want to do this we will find a way to pay for it. It sure is great to have the support! Looks like I will be banded the end of February or the first of March! I will be glad to have it done. I have a question that keeps going around and around in my mind: Is this just another one of my crazy ideas for loosing weight that will work for awhile and then Stop! Then I will be chubby again! I guess when you have tried all of the FADS for so many years this is a normal way to think! I just keep saying to myself, "Self, I Can Do This! I Can Be Thin Again and Stay That Way!" This will be a good thing. Cheryl :smile:

Hi There, I just saw Dr. Nazarian from the same Center but in Pasadena. I did some research and they are all really good there at the Beverly Hills Center. Nicole is a great counselor. I have decided to go ahead with the surgery and I am now waiting for the okay from my insurance company. Just went for the visit this last Tuesday. Hey keep in touch! Cheryl

Actually, Psychologically boring means that there is nothing wrong with me. I do not have signs of depression or anything else. It is a really good thing! I just like the way it sounds! LOL!

Well, here I go in the newest adventure in weight loss for me! Guess this will be the biggest step I have ever taken but I just can't be chubby any longer. It is really making me feel more and more like staying in the house and not participating in anything social. I alway think the the friends that have known me for a long time look at me and wonder why I have allowed myself to get this over weight. What they do not understand I never allowed it, it just happened. I guess we all can say that! Huh! LOL! Enough pitty! I am on my way back to slender...... I like so many have a DH that feels I should be able to do this with just excerise and diet....been there done that and a lot more.....just does not work for me. So, after we talked about this non invasive procedure of the lap band he understands and is now behind me 100 percent. So is my family! This is a great help in getting over the jitters on is this really the right thing to do! I am rambling........ So this is to document my newest journey with weight loss and I hope my long lasting journey with weight loss! Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009, First Doctors Visit. Nice Dr. and I really liked the girls in the office. Thursday Jan. 22, 2009, I was "Deemed psychologically Boring" by the psychologist! This made me really laugh! Also on this date I looked into my own coverage with Anthem Blue Cross, and they are all for bariatric procedures, this should be good in getting my approval fast. Looks like my portion of the surgery will not be all that much which is good. Next is a talk with the Nutritionist on Monday. I will write about that next week. The Tig signing off for now! C

Well, here I go in the newest adventure in weight loss for me! Guess this will be the biggest step I have ever taken but I just can't be chubby any longer. It is really making me feel more and more like staying in the house and not participating in anything social. I alway think the the friends that have known me for a long time look at me and wonder why I have allowed myself to get this over weight. What they do not understand I never allowed it, it just happened. I guess we all can say that! Huh! LOL! Enough pitty! I am on my way back to slender...... I like so many have a DH that feels I should be able to do this with just excerise and diet....been there done that and a lot more.....just does not work for me. So, after we talked about this non invasive procedure of the lap band he understands and is now behind me 100 percent. So is my family! This is a great help in getting over the jitters on is this really the right thing to do! I am rambling........ So this is to document my newest journey with weight loss and I hope my long lasting journey with weight loss! Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009, First Doctors Visit. Nice Dr. and I really liked the girls in the office. Thursday Jan. 22, 2009, I was "Deemed psychologically Boring" by the psychologist! :thumbup: This made me really laugh! Also on this date I looked into my own coverage with Anthem Blue Cross, and they are all for bariatric procedures, this should be good in getting my approval fast. Looks like my portion of the surgery will not be all that much which is good. Next is a talk with the Nutritionist on Monday. I will write about that next week. The Tig signing off for now! C

Hi There, I am Cheryl. Well, I have had my first visit with the Surgeon and I have been "Deemed Psychologically Boring" by the Psychologist, which I find totally funny:laugh: I will have my first talk with the nutritionist on Monday then wait for my insurance to okay the procedure. Should be getting my surgery date within the next few weeks. I have chosen the lap band due to the fact that it is less invasive and nothing gets cut off or re plumbed inside of me. I have enjoyed reading all of the threads and blogs. Good luck to every one!

Hi There, I am an insurance biller in CA and I feel that your Doctors office is handing you a line so that they can get full pop for the surgery! Call your Insurance company and look for another Doc right away! I am going for my first doctors visit on Tuesday and I would guess that all insurance companies would be happy to help pay for this surgery due to the fact that we who are over weight will have more health problems as we get older if we stay over weight.