lillyegg

How is it going Dr. Ren band buddy? Do you have a date? Mine is less than a month away and I a freaking out slightly. Keep thinking that I am crazy for doing this. Then I heave myself off the couch, wait for all of my joints to crackle like Cereal, and remember why I am doing this. Have you been back to see Dr. Ren?

I have a surgery date (Sept. 13) but I don't even think my doctor's office has submitted it yet. I have decided to trust that the woman there knows what she is doing. She does this all day every day. However, my trust only extends until Monday. If she hasn't submitted it by then, I'm going to explode and email her. Again.

Congrats on your date Cathy. After all that waiting, it's great that your surgery is so soon. I can't wait for full details. I bought the costco version of Viactiv which seems to meet the calcium requirements. They taste pretty good actually. My date is 3 and a half weeks away and I swear it feels like a year. I have not been approved by insurance yet, so I am panicking a bit. The doctor hasn't submitted it yet. I know they'll call if something is missing, but I'm starting to get nervous. Postponing this thing might kill me!

Hey Cathy, I have started replacing Breakfast with a Protein shake. I started with Carnation Instant Breakfast-sugar free and ended up...let's just say I was filled with so much gas I could have orbited the Earth. Twice. I switched to muscle milk-light and it is much better. Next week I am going to try breakfast and lunch. I am hoping it will make my real pre-op start a bit easier. Yay for september! Counting down the days.

My surgeon told me that she thought my stomach might be too small for a Realize band. Never in my life has my stomach been too small for anything. I almost kissed her for that one!

KAS, great! Let's keep in touch. It feels so far away, but I know it will creep up in no time. I bought protein shakes today, so I'm going to try to start replacing breakfast tomorrow. My preop/anesthesia appt is august 3oth. Fingers crossed for everyone's approval.

You can also search in your area for a seminar. I went to a couple before I decided for certain that this was what I wanted to do. There was a lot of information in the packet and at the seminar, but I have really learned more here than anywhere else. I made an appointment with the surgeon the day after my first seminar, but could only get it for a month later. In that month, I checked things out with insurance and documented their requirements, got my PCP to write a recommendation letter and do a recent physical and bloodwork, and talked to their psychiatrist. It made me feel prepared when I finally met the surgeon. Just got my date. Sept. 13 I see from reading this site obsessively that there are different paths for everyone. Good luck sorting yours out.

The insurance coordinator at my doctor's office gave me the date before she submitted the insurance paperwork. I am scheduled for September 13 and she is going to submit the papers to insurance next week. I have been really lucky in that my insurance doesn't require anything. No 6 month diet. No weight history. Luckily for me my BMI is well over 40, so I am not too worried about approval. Who knew that being super fat would EVER be an advantage in something?

I was at Dr. Ren's office yesterday also. I wonder if we passed each other in the hall. My surgery is scheduled for September 13. I'm so nervous, but excited too. I am also feeling really overwhelmed and would love a band buddy. What did she say when you asked her about the articles? I was too scared to ask!

I am really really hoping for August, but will probably have to wait until September. That said, I have not even met with the surgeon for the first consult yet, so I may be dreaming. I have an appointment with the surgeon and nutritionist on July 28th. I meet with the shrink on July 21 and my primary care tomorrow. My insurance says it does not require a 6 month diet or 5 year medical history, so that is a relief. My question is what kinds of tests do they make you do before insurance approval? after approval? I just can't wait to start.

Hi everyone, First post!! I am still in the very early stages and I am also terrified. I went to an info session with my mom and sister on Tuesday. By, Wednesday noon, I had scheduled an appointment with my PCP, a visit with the shrink, and a consultation with the surgeon and her nutritionist. I am nervous, but so excited. I know this is the right thing for me and luckily I have my family's support. But, even if I didn't I HAVE to do this. I am not scared of the hard work. I have done the hard work. What I am scared of is doing the work and then ending up right where I started in 18 months. I can't wait until July 28th when I meet the surgeon and really get started. although, if I don't stay off of LAP-BAND® blogs during work hours, I will get fired and lose my insurance and not be able to get the surgery anyway!!!!