Jodi73

I read on here that they are great for preventing, or helping with hair loss. I already have thin hair on top, so I am more than a little concerned about it. I bought some the other day, and started taking then. My question is, what dose is recommended? I bought the super potency, 5000 bcg. It seemed more like I was taking one of those fat burner drugs, I was completetly wired up , couldn't sleep, couldn't relax....maybe this is just too high of dose. Of course when I bought it, I thought the more the better, thats the American way, right?! I just wanted to get a feel for what others are taking....thanks! Jodi:unsure:

Thx for the well wishes all! Everything went very smoothly yesterday, I was in surgery as scheduled at 1:00, it took about an hour and a half. I was awake in recovery at around 3:30 I think. Thats the first I remember at least. I only have two incisions, and he also repaired a small hiatal hernia I had, so I am glad for that. Last nite wasn't too bad with the soreness, this morning though I am very stiff and achy all over. My belly has some bad bruising around the cuts, no stitches though, just that "dermabond" stuff, kinda cool. I am resting at home the rest of the week, and hope to be back to work next Monday. I think I will be ok, I have a desk job, so if my brain will function decently, I'll make it! Take care all! Jodi:thumbup:

I am scheduled to be at the surgical center at 11:30 today, then the actual surgery is at 1:00. I am a little nervous, got a little emotional dropping my girl off at school this a. m. I'm just a sap in general though! No food, drink or anything from midnight thru after surgery, so I am missing my coffee! One other thing, I had a terrible reaction to the pre antibiotics my doc gave me the week before surgery. I had a horrible rash all over my arms, legs and chest. Itchy red bumps and very flushed all over. The antibiotic is called Mupirocin. Anyone else had an issue like this? I am better now, he prescribed me a steroid pack that has pretty much healed everything up. the steroids are making me crazy though! I have been up in the middle of the night cleaning and cooking....my hubbys about to divorce me, although I am keepn the house very clean and hes gettn some good meals...heheheh I will post this evening when I am home! Good luck to all ! Jodi

Lets see....any time we get a night off from the kids, we tend to want to go out to eat, its almost like a celebratory freedom for the night thing, I always want to get something bad! Right before my period, its a bad week, I always crave the worst things. I work at a country club, our members bring in lots of goodies, especially around the holidays, this year I am just going to have to hand it all straight over to my assistant. Buffets of any kind, I avoid them like the plague now. Movies, we used to always et Snacks like junior mints, hot tamales, popcorn....now I smuggle in apples and Kashi Cereal bars, just not the same though! I could go on and on....

September Band List Soco 9/01/09 Amandakrangel 9/1/09 Coloradomom (Gen) 9/1/09 ms_Hart37 9/1/09 mosean6278 09/01/09 katklaws 09/01/09 SmilinShel (Michelle) 09/01/09 Comet321 (Chris) 9/1/09 ivy76 9/02/09 $occer mom 9/3/09 Jmtmb (JoLynne ) 9/4/09 JLDChester(Jamie)9/4/09 Cortney75 (Cortney) 9/4/09 tzn (Karena) 9/8/09 mrsyellis (yohontas)9/08/09 Jules 09/09/09 Soldiersgem(ginna) 9/9/09 pr8453(Pam) 9/9/09 bradybrat 09/09/09 Ready4a2ndchance 9/09/09 travel (Anita) 09/09/09 kittkat2009 09/10/09 Hmarko (helen) 9/11/09 stardustic 9/11/09 BrentinLA 9/14/09 Queen Bee 9/14/09 amwash23 9/14/09 romain123 9/14/09 Nawlinzlady (Dee) 9/15/09 Anni80 (annie) 9/15/09 Lula 9/15/09 smallerj (jes) 9/16/09 Boo Cakes 9/16/09 Hardygostlin (Jody) 9/17/09 Loveslady(Tawonda) 9/17/09 Gatorgirl1024 (Shelley) 9/17/09 MishiB (Michelle) 9/17/09 Bendy H (Brenda) 9/18/09 Sharie3 9/21/09 Italia2020 (Mia) 09/21/09 Ariane (Ariane) 09/21/09 Jenna1979 (Jennifer) 09/22/09 Pookiemp 9/23/2009 leigna 09/24/09 Chickychoo (Jill) 09/28/09 Kinzie 09/28/09 QMOM 9/28/09 Soexcited 9/30/09 ShrinkingV (Vickie) 9/30/09 Celestial 9/24/09 Jenno 9/02/09 BrokeGranny (Jan) 9/22/09 Waynes6 (Jodi) 9/30/09

My surgery is all set for the 30th! YEAHHHH!!! I had my pre op visit with the surgeon today, and a class and pre op tests on the 28th. Then surgery on the 30th at 1:00. I am kinda glad its later in the day, we can keep the morning routine the same for our daughter, then just have someone pick her up at daycare in the pm. I have lost 20 lbs! I always suprise myself by what I can do when I put my mind to it. I really only ate much healthier, and tried to be somewhat more active. I think its the little changes that make a big difference. OK, time to clean house now.....good luck to everyone coming up this week! Jodi

Aetna has a clinical policy bulletin on their website search by "cpb" then search by the alphebetical list for obesity surgery. This will give you exactly what you need to do to get approved. You will notice some of the requirements say "or by another qualified professional..." My PCP fulfilled those requirements for me, the only other professional I saw was a nutritionist, once, then two more times at two different classes. This was all documented by the ins coordinator when she submitted it. I will never really know if that worked for all three months of nutrition visits like some people did, or if you really only need to see them once. My coordinator and I both thought it read as you only needed one visit for the nutr. but...it is worded a little funny, and of course you will get different answers from Aetna, depending on who you talk to. I hope this helps calm your fears, it may seem overwhelming at first, but I think its really all about compliance to a program. Plus, for me anyway, it has been a blessing to have accountability for my weight. It has helped me to loose 20 lbs. I would have never lost that weight without having to go weigh in every month, and thinking how it would feel to not have done well that month. Feel free to ask me for more details, or anything else! We are all in the same boat, so I think any support we can give each other is great! Good luck, Jodi

Add me for 9/30!

Anyone had surgery during TOM. Wouldn't you know it, my surgery date falls smack dab in the middle of my period. Hopefully, it will not be too heavy at the time. Geeze! What did you wear? Were you able to keep a tampon in ? Or a pad on? As if I wasn't freaked out by the idea of going under enough, now this! Have a good day all, got to get ready for work now! Jodi:blush:

Heres hoping for a fast return on your approval! I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Jodi:thumbup:

I have saw many posts on here where people have gained weight on their pre op diets. They were approved just fine! Aetna has a lot of hoops to jump thru, but if and when you do ALL of them, when you submit you should have a fast and positive answer. Make sure to have all your ducks in a row BEFORE submitting, I think it cuts down on a lot of hassle. I was just approved on the three month multi diet, and everything went very textbook. if you have any questions, feel free to ask me! Good luck! Jodi

WHOOHOOO for YOU! I just got my date today 9/30 for me! I am so ready and I bet you are too! Keep us posted! Jodi:thumbup:

My perspective is from not being banded yet either. 9/30 is the day! I chose the band because of its flexibility. The fact that it can be changed is huge for me. Also, you can fail at any weight loss surgery, so the idea of altering my insides with a bypass, then STILL failing really depresses me. I know with the band, if I fall off the wagon, as I know most of us do from time to time, I can get back on a lot easier with its help. Good luck with whatever decision you make! Jodi

I was just approved under the three month plan. My PCP documented at each of the 4 visits what type and how much exercise I was doing. IMHO I think a doc is a "qualified professional" I was approved in just over a week after submitting. I did one official visit with a nutritionist, but also two classes (required by my doc) that the nutritionist was present/taught at. Hope this helps! Good luck! Jodi

As much as I loved the Aug bandsters group, I have to move on to the the Sept. group! I sure you guys are great too!:frown: I got my approval letter last Saturday, and am hoping for a surgery date by the end of the month. Just waiting for a phone call for the docs office to schedule. They require us to attend one more class for surgical prep, then they will schedule! I cant wait! Good luck all! Jodi

I got my approval letter in the mail yesterday! Just two weeks after they submitted my info! Keep the faith, it will happen! Jodi

Aetna really is one of the best insurance companies to have! I did the 3 month diet, jumped thru all the hoops required by my doc and their policy, then boom. My doc submitted, and I got the approval in one week and a day. Got my official letter today in the mail WHOOHOOO! If you do what they ask, its seems like they are quick to approve. Scroll down and look thru some of the other posts on here. Yu will see tons about Aetna and their policies. Good luck! Jodi

I wondered about the gum myself...I just wanted to add DRINK WATER! I add Crystal Light to mine, but I dillute it down by using double the water. My doc says drinking the sweet in low, or splenda, etc. can stimulate hunger, but I have found that dilluting really works for me. You can do it! Keep us posted! Jodi

Hey, I was just approved with Aetna ! Just wanted to tell you to keep your chin up, it will happen! I really cant help with the band differences, only thing I know of specificaly SP? is that that the Realize Band has a really good website. There are tons of neat tools and helpful ideas on it. Good luck on your journey! Jodi

Thanks to all the congrats guys! Gracie Mae....I only had to do the two psych evals because my surgeon requires that. I really wouldn't of had to do any, according to Aetna. And yes, I did call, a total of three times I think. I wouldn't even know now if I hadn't called yesterday. The ins rep at the docs office is on vacation this week, so no one from my docs office has even called me! Hmmm....seems like they would check her messages, I think I will call them today. OK, I have to get ready for work! Grrrr, I want a stay at home job! If I could just go to work in my jammies....hehehe Have a great day all! Jodi

THATS AWESOME! Congrats! Let the journey begin!

It only took a week and one day to get approved! I am amazed, excited, scared, and relieved all at one time! I did the three month multi program, and I guess I jumped thru enough hoops for them! Now, I need to get that surgery date! HAve a great day all! Jodi:thumbup:

My docs office submitted to Aetna a week ago yesterday. I called yesterday afternoon, and they said that it was "sent to the Medical Director". She said that if I didn't hear anything by next Tuesday, to call back and to see whats up. I am so nervous about this whole thing! Really, if they say no, then I will just need to complete the 6 month diet regimine instead of the three. At this point, I am well into the 4th month, so I guess if that's the case, its just 2 more months , right!? WELL, I just would like to know one way or the other! I am so impatient. OK, I just had to vent!:thumbup: Have a great weekend all! Jodi