megkpik

I dont have the band yet, but I am hoping it will greatly improve my sex life becasue I will feel more confident.

I have cigna also. I think that if you already had the surgery, it is an "existing condition" and you shouldnt have a problem. The best thing to do is to call them. They are very nice and help me out a lot (i called them like every day for the last 5 months lol)

Congrats Tori on the surgery date!!! I got mine during my consult also!

Thank you! I also forgot to say that I plan to wear my Sketchers Shape-Ups for the entire 50 miles. I am so excited. This is my first challenge.

Hey guys! I am going to walk 50 miles this month! I am starting a little late, so I better catch up! Good luck to everyone!

I also need a little bit of encouragement. I am so worried about the insurance approval. I have everything they require, but I heard Cigna was a little tough when it came to getting approved.

Hey everyone! Guess what.... I GOT MY SURGERY DATE!!! I am SOOOoooOOO excited! It's March 15, 2010! I can't believe how soon that is! I am extra shocked because I thought my 6 month diet was done at the end of March (I started at the end of September) because I was under the impression that I had to have 7 doctor visits total, one for the begining of the diet and one for the end of the diet. But when I went to the surgery apt, the nurse gave me 6 monthy sheets my doc is suppose to fill out, instead of 7. So, as you can imagine, I am super excited. I can't wait to start my life over again. Also, I have some other good news. I LOST 8 LBS!!! This is exciting because I have not lost any weight during my diet. I am hungry all the time. So everything is going great right now. I hope to loose 20 by my surgery date. We'll see what happens. So, does anyone else have a date for March 15?

I'm from Minnetonka. Its about 30-45 min away from the MOA. Its a great place, although I don't live there anymore. I moved to Mississippi for school.

Yeah I had a pair of fit-flops also! I wore them when I was shopping in the MOA (Mall of America in MN). The mall has 3 floors, each having a 1 mile perimeter. I was very pleased with them, after 3 miles, I had no pain in my feet, back, legs ext. The only problem was that they were very UGLY! ha. Being 21, I was kind of embarrassed to be wearing them. They made my toes look 10 in long. haha. Anyways, the Shape-Ups, I think, are very cute!

Hey guys! Just wanted to let everyone know I bought a pair of Shape-ups today and I LOVE THEM!! They were $99. I first saw them on Victoriasecret.com (they had a pink pair for like $120) and fell in love. I didn't find any pink ones, so I bought the white ones instead. When I got home I walked around my neighborhood and I could really feel it working in my butt and abbs. Even tho the DVD that came with the shoes said to only wear them for 30 min at first, I have not taken them off all day . Anyways, if you do not own a pair, I recommend buying some. Benifits (according to Skechers) Promote Weight Loss Tone Muscles Improve Posture Strengthens the back Firms Buttock muscles Reduces cellulite and tones thighs Firms Calf Muscles Improves Blood Circulation Tightens abdominal muscles

Yeah that is crazy! That is great you go to St. Thomas! That is a really good school (too expensive for me) ha. I moved to MS because I have a lot of family in NO and on the coast, and because tuition was a lot less expensive. I am getting a BS in architectural engineering, then working twoards towards another BS in construction engineering! I am moving to Dallas because my parents moved here and LOVE it! I come every change I can. I think it is the perfect place for me, the economy is still OK, the unemployment rate is the smallest in the US so I am confident I will find a job. Also, the cost of living is similar to MS, and a lot lower compared to MN! So, how is the LAP-BAND® progress going? I am so ready to get banded! Hopefully, it will be at the end of March (thats when i get done with my 6-month diet). My whole view on life has changed since I started this process. I feel like I have a second chance.

Hey there! I am from Minnesota, but live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi now (going to school at USM)! That is funny your story is the opposite of mine:tongue2:! I am currently in month 4 of my 6 month program, haven’t ran into any problems yet (knock on wood) and am getting more & more excited to get banded. I have my initial consult with the surgeon on Thursday. I am having the surgery in Dallas, TX, because I plan on moving there when I graduate, in May. I had my psychology apointment yesterday, and it went really well. I posted a list of books she recommended to read on LBT under the "introduction" group. Good luck

Hey everyone! First of all, I am on month 4 of my 6 month diet. I have been seeing my doctor every month, I had my psychology appointment yesterday (which went very well and I was cleared) and I have my first lapband consult appointment on Thursday (YAY). For those of you who have not had your psychology appointment yet, it was very informational. I am even considering seeing her on a regular basis after the surgery. I took a number of tests, and talked about my eating history. My psychiatrist gave me a list of book to read, which I will share with you: *Eating in the light of the moon By Anita Johnston Provides insights into disordered eating, centers on women [*]Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy By David Burns This will help you overcome depression/anxiety, change your behavior and negative mood states by changing your thoughts [*]**Emotional Eating By Edward Abramson Helps with identification of emotional triggers of eating and development of healthy alternative behaviors [*]**The 5 Reasons Why We Overeat By Cynthia G. Last, PH.D. Helps you identify why you overeat and gives practical suggestions for change, depending on your particular triggers [*]Overcoming Binge Eating By Christopher Fairburn Dr. Fairburn is on of the leading researchers of binge eating disorders. Provides empirically based information [*]Lifing a lighter Lifestyle By Gaye Andrews A guide to weight loss and weight maintenance following bariatric surgery [*]Eating Mindfully: How to End Mindless Eating and Enjoy a Balanced Relatinoship with Food By Susan Albers, Promotes self-awareness in relation to your body and eating [*]Thoughts and Feelings: Getting Control of your Moods and Your Life By Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, & Patric Fanning Helps develop coping thoughts (instead of taking self-defeating actions in response to a wide variety of painful feelings *-Especially recommended by doctor **-Especially recommended by doctor for ME I have bought 3 of these books, Eating in the Light of the Moon, Overcoming Binge Eating and Emotional Eating (this one is in the mail). I started to read Eating in the Light of the Moon, but I didn’t really like it thus far. I will read the whole thing and get back to you, but its about “how women can transform their relationships with food through myths, metaphors & storytelling”. It’s kind of a hard thing to grasp, but if you are very spiritual, I think you would enjoy it. It’s just not my cup of tea, so far. Overcoming Binge Eating is very interesting. I am on page 100 and so far it has been very helpful. I have learned a lot about my eating patterns. The psychiatrist I talked to sees a lot of pre and post op bariatric patients, and she said that it helps to read these even if you already had the surgery. Hope you enjoy :thumbup:

Hey there. My name is Megen and I have insurance through Cigna. I am in month 2 in the 6 month program, and I was just wondering what everyone submitted for insurance approval. I have read the criteria for the lapband several times, and called the 1-800 number a few times also, but I was wondering if I could hear some firsthand experiences with getting approved. I am tracking everything I eat for the 6 month program (although I haven’t lost any weight- actually gained 8lbs), I am tracking every time I work out, and I am making all the necessary appointments for the letters of medical necessary. Also, I am aware that CIGNA covers 90% of the cost for the lap band, but I also would like to know what the typical out-of-pocket cost was. Thanks!