Barb119

Hey all . . . I'm in Georgia too, near Athens . . . I have "jumped through all the hoops" and have insurance approval . . . pre-op is Dec. 21 and surgery is Dec. 29. I'm having very mixed feelings but since I've struggled with weight issues for years, and with sleep apnea, high blood pressure, bad back, no energy....it's time to bite the bullet and move ahead for better health! Good luck to you. Barbara

Sorry to hear your bad news, Paigey . . . I hope May will come fast for you . . . I don't understand such differences in insurance companies' requirements. I had to provide written documentation of my dieting/weight loss/weight gain and it's been an ongoing yo-yo for 30 yrs.---time for a change. I've been contemplating lap band for almost two years, but finally decided that with my health problems--sleep apnea, high blood pressure, aching joints, no energy, etc.--that I don't have much choice if I want to really have an active life. My surgery date is Dec. 29 at Emory Mid Town . . . I'm in Georgia too, near Athens. Good luck with your process!

Just got call from doctor to set pre-op for Dec. 21 with surgery on Dec. 29 (which I already knew) . . . pre-op diet is ten days with Slimfast . . . seems like most everybody has other protein shakes type things. . . should I be concerned about this? As I've said before, I'm scared--not by the surgery itself, but the life adjustments. I'm going to need your help, please! thanks. Barbara (I still can't get ticker to work right

Thanks for all who have posted . . . makes me feel good that I am not alone in this journey! I saw my surgeon yesterday and we've scheduled a DECEMBER 29 surgery date!!! I'm so happy about this and believe this is what's right for me. I want to be part of the December 2009 Bandster group and will join in the social area too. Your input, views, information, and support--is so good for me as this process begins. . . . As far as pre-op diet, just protein shakes for ten days prior to surgery. Thanks to all and I look forward to sharing and hearing from you all.:thumbup:

Nancy6015, our situation is about the same, weight, age. I will be 62 in January and am hoping for a January surgery date . . . see my doctor tomorrow. Many of my friends have let me know that this is not a good idea, but I feel like now is the time. . . as I'm a "young" 62 and have a lot to be gained by this . . . I haven't had heart attack but suffer from sleep apnea, high blood pressure, joint pain, and really bad depression. Let's keep in touch . . . good luck!!!:scared2:

I meet with my surgeon on Dec. 11 to get a surgery date --hoping for middle of January . . . however, my insurance approved it back in the summer with an approval expiraion date of Nov. 3 . .. well, I didn't have surgery prior to that date because of various reasons (not all tests were done and some preplanned travel during October) . . . anyhow the surgeon's admin person called today (although I had asked her in early November to get an extension date), to say that insurance needs more information from my primary physician to actually give me clearance for the surgery . . . They already approved it, so why the turnaround now with more infor needed . . . what do you think it up with this? Has this happend to any of you? Now I'm afraid it won't be approved and my worry/anxiety level is off the chart . . . let me hear from somebody, please ~!! :thumbup:

Hey Melissa. . . I'm new to this site too and am hoping for a mid-Jan. 2010 surgery date (see my doc next week). This site and postings have been very informative. I, too, am very sad and have been for so long . . . losing weight, gaining weight, then starting all over with this rollacoaster....this is not how I want to spend the rest of my life and it sounds like you don't either. Wishing you the best as you make your decision.barbara

Hello all, I'm new to this site and glad I found it! I'm pre-op and my anxiety level is out of of sight . . . I'll appreciate your input on your experiences, good or bad, and any support that any can give. To know that I'm not the only one with concerns is comforting. Thanks for reading this!

Thanks for your post . . . hoping for a mid to late January surgery date and yes, I can't help but to think ahead as to what my January 2011 will be like!!! Very anxious, excited, scared, depressed--a lot of donflicting and different emotions all mixed together.

1.What is your current and goal weight? C-249, G-145 2.What is your surgery date? Hoping for mid Jan 2010 3.What is your age? 61 4.Where do you live? Northeast Georgia 5.Where are you having surgery? Emory, Atlanta 6.Who is your Doctor?? Srinivasin (sp?) 7.Insurance or self-pay? Ins (BS/BS HMO) 8.What was you "deciding factor" for having this surgery? I am so tired all the time and want to be healthier (PS: I'm not getting any younger!)

I would like to be included in this January 2010 group. I don't have a surgery date yet but meet with my surgeon in two weeks and hope to set the date then as I've completed all the pre-op tests/requirements. Knowing that I'm not in the "boat" alone is comforting!