If you're planning on being banded in January your either half way thru your 6 month wait or you've just recently met with your surgeon and you're beginning your 3 month wait filled with dr appts and nutrition classes.

I have aetna and I only have to wait three months but it'll be filled jam packed w/ dr appts and classes, etc...

I went to see a pulmonologist last week and he wants me to get a breathing test, chest x-ray and sleep study. Saw the GI yesterday and my endoscopy is set for 11/5 and my cardiologist is Friday - can't wait to see what HE has in store for me - haha --- I'm actually excited to get this "work up of the stars" --- how many others are thankful for all these tests (cause when else would we get them done??)

My BMI is under 40 and my last two years worth of weights was around a 35 but I have diabetes and high triglicerides...hoping that this is acceptable for aetna approval cause I'm gaining and not losing no matter what I do - I presently need to lose 80-90 pounds and there is no way I could do it on my own with the diabetes and hypo-thyroidism. :laugh:

I'm curious to know who is getting banded in January (My surgery date is 1/18/11 if approved). I'd love to hear your stories and concerns - anything at all --- just want to put together a group for those that are planning a new life style come January - I can't think of a better new years resolution!!!! :thumbup: ~Renee

My surgery is January 18th

Congrats Renee!!

Getting banded 1-11-11! On day 2 of pre-op diet and it's not SO bad. Started this process in September 2010. I don't think 4 months was too bad. Good luck to all!!

I have had a long process to become approved through Insurance. I started everything in March of 2010, and just went today to the hospital to register and do all my pre-op stuff ( labs ekg )..i have to be there at 11 on January 11, 2011 for my surgery at 1 !! ... i am super excited.. but nerves have yet to kick in! good luck fellow january bandsters!

I have been seeing a nutritionist since June and my surgery has been approved. Luckily, I have access to NYU and they are rockstars at getting things approved. I have my letter of medical necessity and have had it since early December. My date is 1/21/11 and I go in for pre-operative testing Monday. I keep feeling like the other shoe is going to drop and they will cancel my surgery. I guess I won't feel comfortable until its done.

I started my pre-op diet today. Some people are so lucky. I get 2 cups of veggies per day plus shakes. That's it. It's rough!

I love it!!!! very cool!! 1-11-11 @ 11 for 1

lol

I have had a long process to become approved through Insurance. I started everything in March of 2010, and just went today to the hospital to register and do all my pre-op stuff ( labs ekg )..i have to be there at 11 on January 11, 2011 for my surgery at 1 !! ... i am super excited.. but nerves have yet to kick in! good luck fellow january bandsters!

CONGRATULATIONS ARKS...... I know you must be excited. I am scheduled to be banded on the 28th but I don't think its really hit me yet that its really going to happen. One thing that kept going through my mind over the holidays was this is the last year I will be fat in our family pics.... next Christmas is going to be the best one ever as far as i am concerned. Let us know how it goes for you....

Thank you BlairE! and yes, the same thought has been passing through my mind! I am actually looking forward to Summer, and to actually BE A PART of my family photos, This is going to be the year for all of us! Good luck to you too and congrats!

I have been seeing a nutritionist since June and my surgery has been approved. Luckily, I have access to NYU and they are rockstars at getting things approved. I have my letter of medical necessity and have had it since early December. My date is 1/21/11 and I go in for pre-operative testing Monday. I keep feeling like the other shoe is going to drop and they will cancel my surgery. I guess I won't feel comfortable until its done.

I started my pre-op diet today. Some people are so lucky. I get 2 cups of veggies per day plus shakes. That's it. It's rough!

i thought i was the only one!! i am reluctant to tell people about this, not because im embarassed or whatever, but because i have serious doubts that its even gonna happen!

My surgery is January 18th

yay!!! im super psyched for you! we're are getting banded on the same day! lucky you, with only one week of pre-op liquid dieting! im on day five right now...

Mine is the 18th, too! I've been watching a lot of youtube videos and scrolling through the lapband forums.

My surgery date is January 14. I've been on this pre-op diet since the 31st. It's 5 Bariatric Advantage shakes (nasty!) or 5 Sugar free carnation instant breakfast (not filling). I can also have broth, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. I felt like I had the flu the first few days. Now I am just plain hungry for some real food. I went to my first seminar in April 2010. Saw the doc in May. Then I did 6 months of dietician visits and 6 months of exercise calendars. I also had to visit a psychologist. I got approved (5'4 and 268 at the time) and was supposed to have surgery in November. Instead I had gallbladder surgery since stones showed up on my upper GI. THEN a heart issue showed up during surgery so I needed to get cardiac clearance. I did not get clearance until mid December after the cardiologist wanted to do a heart cath. So, here I am. Ready, nervous. My doc says the surgery will be a breeze but that I will probably have to spend the night due to my heart (I have "extra beats"). He said I should be able to eat broth that night and that I will be walking around soon after surgery. Oh, and I've already pre-registered and paid the hospital so no backing out now!

If anyone has the same surgery date (or around that date) I'd like to hear from you. I've had the opportunity to do tons of reading and research as my surgery kept getting put off...meanwhile I'm down to 254.

I'm getting banded on the 17th. I'm having an outpatient surgery so I'll try to post an update that evening.

My surgery is January 18th

i just found out today and my date is the same as yours!

i also have aetna, but i did the full six month waiting period, and then some! i couldnt lose any weight for like 4 months....probably because i was so stressed with grad school. but as soon as it was over, i lost 20 pounds in a month! i was annoyed with the waiting period back in january, but im kinda glad i had it now. im glad i could spread out all those dr. appointments.

the pulmonary function test was the worst one for me...that arterial blood gas hurt SO BAD! and ive never been afraid of needles either...that just traumatized me!

once i got everything in, i was approved within a week. but that was the week of Christmas, so i didnt get my date til today! lol...i have a BMI over 60 (i think) but my only co-morbidity is sleep apnea. and pcos, but i dont think they count that. they should, though! i was glad for all the tests and super glad they came back okay....ive always avoided finding some things out. but my biggest surprise was that my cholesterol is perfect!

Congrats on getting through everything! How was it coming home? Any problems with the pain? How are you doing now? Are you able to eat a little more or are you on a liquid diet still?

I am still on the shakes. The more I have the less I like them. I only have about 5 days left of them.

Congrats again!

Coming home was okay as my husband drove home and I slept all the way. Yes there is pain but mostly when you are moving and mostly where your port incision is. I really thought I would be feeling better than this as some people say they were feeling better in just a couple of days. I think as a mother and wife I was feeling guilty about sleeping and resting but now know that when I do take advantage of sleeping, which seems to be all the time, that I start to feel better. The gas pains in your shoulders is also sore but I find a heating pad works well and others say that you should walk as much as possible to get rid of the gas pains. Today is only 4 days after surgery and this afternoon I can tell that my body is healing and I am getting stronger. I am still on the liquid diet and am having a hard time getting those down as I am suddenly finding them too sweet. Good luck on the rest of your protein drinks - it does get easier!

Well, all my labs came back normal (and I'm not pregnant) so surgery's first thing Monday morning! I'm #1 on the list; have to be at the hospital at 6 for a 7am surgery. More excited than nervous at this point; I'm just ready to get started! I have tentatively met my first weight loss goal of this journey; I wanted to be in the 250's (started my diet at 267) and as of this morning I was 259.8! Can't wait to see what else I can accomplish. Good luck to all!