RaceGirl88

I'm getting excited! One week from today is the big day! Can't think of a better way to start the month...I am a week into the liquid preop diet and am down 9 lbs as of this morning, but have definitely discovered that my energy levels are awful in this phase and to be perfectly honest, havent done any cardio whatsoever. Just a little strength/resistance training...anyone else on liquids feeling drained?:thumbup:

Got the EA Active...leg strap was too tight...it would fit initially but as soon as I began running, squatting etc it would pop off. I used the "extension" (which i found it comical that its intent is to shorten the band, not lengthen it!) :wink: but still too small. I guess i will need to go find some industrial strength velcro and see what i can rig up...but i have now added to my list of goals that are "non scale victories" ..... leg strap that fits without extender...and STAYS on.:sneaky:

I have been wanting to get this because i grew bored with Wii Fit..but I am concerned the leg strap may not be large enough?! I am 5'8" and wear a size 22...i have NO idea what my thigh measurement would be, or where to even measure. LOL

Hey all! I have made my "face" known on a few other July threads, but thought for good measure I would post here too. My surgery is July 1 and liquids begin June 17th....and i am happy to know that my "last supper" behavior is more common than I thought...cuz lemme tell ya! It's been ON! But it has accomplished what I wanted it too....I am so sick to death of fast foods and deserts that I am in some twisted way looking forward to liquids! I am super excited to share in this with each of you! :w00t:

Somehow I totally missed this thread! :w00t: I am July 1st here in Charlotte...getting very very excited! Just had my preop class yesterday and start my 2 weeks of liquids next Wednesday. Please add me to the list of "July Jewels"

:frown: I'm with you there! Any suggestions anyone? I am soooo uncreative....

Hey Desiree, good to "meet" you! It is great that another Dr V patient is checking in on here. I hope your process moves faster than mine ...I just got my surgery date yesterday but finished all my pre-op appts and tests back on Feb 17th...it took them about 2 months after that to finalize my file and send off to insurance - but my insurance only took a week to approve - then it was another 2 weeks (yesterday) to get my date for 6 weeks from now... I know there are monthly support group meetings, but I'm thinking that with the growing number of us Charlotteans here it would be cool to have an informal meetup every so often to support each other...I KNOW I could benefit from that.

Hi y'all! Just got my date today! July 1st!! I'm sooooo excited! :smile2:

Hi Chad! I am in NC as well, down in Charlotte. I have not been banded yet...but have been approved and will be setting the date soon, prob sometime in June. I can understand where you are coming from, having been overweight all my life too. it's terribly exciting to think about the new chapter ahead and the journey it will be, but a little unnerving because I have no idea what a "normal, healthy" me will be like! I went to my seminar back in August 08, its taken awhile for my process because I was a smoker and my surgeon requires 90 days of strict nonsmoking before the initial appt. But the desire to get healthy made it super easy to quit cold turkey. Nice to "meet" you and keep us posted on what you find out! Good luck! :thumbup:

Excellent! Thanks! And we really do need to plan a little meet up!

Hey Newstart, do you remember about how long it took to get your surgery date once Dr V's office rec'd your approval letter from insurance? I provided my letter yesterday and was told he needs to review my file - again - and then the scheduler will be in touch....with the nature of my work i would love to have a little visability on this but dont want to harass them!

I called the care coordination reps to verify that they rec'd the information and was told over the phone that it had been approved and that a letter was mailed out the day before...haven't gotten it yet, but its only been a few days so it will probably be next week...but you better believe I race home to check the mail each day! My BMI has been 40+ for the last 5 years as validated by my PCP weight history records, but I dont have any comorbidities other than PCOS.

Kim hasn't scheduled a date since my approval letter is still en route, but believes it should be sometime in June given the scheduling timeframes. I can't wait to get that date. I think your idea for distracting by coming here is a great one! I do that too, and also go to cnn.com etc and read all the health articles. haha. Maybe we could plan to meet up sometime for a refreshing liquid beverage! :rolleyes2:

Hey Newstart! Glad to see another Dr V patient on the board! Soooooo, liquids start today huh? Would you mind telling me what that entails? I have been sampling different Protein drinks but it occured to me that what he may use is something specific and not what i expect. Hang in there!! So glad your here and on your way!!

I have UHC Choice Plus and my file was submitted on 4/16 and i was approved yesterday, 4/21. Impressed with the turnaround time on it.

That sounds like a great start to me!

I just got approved yesterday and my date is June 22nd!! Glad to be part of the wonderful bunch! I am so excited for all of us!! :thumbup:

Hi NewB! Hope you are holding up well after your surgery! How are you feeling? OK, called UHC again today to check on the status of my file and guess what?? Officially APPROVED! Letter sent out yesterday!!! And with that, a better me is on the way too!! It only took UHC a week to review and approve. I'm impressed.

Hi Gail! You and I are practically neighbors then!! :smile: I haven't had surgery yet, but Dr David Voellinger here in Charlotte will be doing it....still haven't decided on whether or not it will be LapBand or Realize...that's a tough call to make.

That does sound like much to keep up with right after surgery! Hell, I don't walk 60 minutes NOW! :w00t: I have been "getting in shape for surgery" and begun working out with a personal trainer once a week, trying to get my endurance up but wow...it's hard. I know that as the weight comes off, moving will become easier and CANNOT wait. My surgery date is tenatively June 22 as submitted by Dr V for now...turns out I'm not approved yet, UHC rep was not correct, so my file remains under review. Baaaaa. :smile:

Congrats Stephanie! How are you holding up? Petunia, I am being banded by Dr. Voellinger here in Charlotte. Seems that all within a healthy radius use either Bauman or Dr V.... If there isnt something like this already, we should get a little group to meet up once in a while for fun!

Hey everyone! I will admit while this is my first post, I have been a "lurker" for months since beginning my research stage of this life changing decision. I went to my first seminar back in Aug 2008 and am THRILLED to report that I found out yesterday that I have been approved by insurance! Reading everyone's stories (good and bad) and seeing all the love and support offered up here definitely helped me make some choices and gave me comfort that I will have a "family" who completely understands my experience! I grew up in Florida but have been in Charlotte, NC for 10 years now. HUGE NASCAR fan, love being with and making new friends, enjoy all types of music, traveling, among other things. I really look forward to getting to know you all and thank you for making this board so fantastic!

In addition to the emotional, mental discussion part of her job was also to be sure i understood the basic mechanics and risks associated with the surgery. Good luck!