I wanted to start a thread for those of us who are waiting "with bated breath" for our surgeries in March.

I am supposed to start Optifast on February 26th. I am currently waiting for the shipment, including my surgical package to be delivered. Once I get my package I am supposed to call the clinic.

Ever since committing to this surgery (which I am paying for myself via a personal loan) I have been obsessed with reading everything I can about it and about people who have had it. I am still kind of hoping for some kind of "divine word" about whether or not it is the right thing for me to do.

I am "only" 75 lbs over my ideal weight but am type II diabetic. I am trying to figure out if my reason for doing this is my health or my vanity or a combination of both. The diabetes needs to be gone (when I am 20 lbs lighter it is gone) but I am sure looking forward to losing the weight and actually keeping it off for more than 20 minutes...

I'm religious too-- but I'm not Christian. I'm in the Other category. If you really want to know you can PM me.

But I do think it is helpful to have solid beliefs, whatever it is you believe when going through transition periods like this Every bit helps.

Morning All and Welcome Heartsmile4 1!!!!!!!!!! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Oh I am hoping this will help with the binge eating as well. And take about food & money wasted, my hubbie & I are empty nesters for 2.5 years now and I STILL can't help shopping at Costco. We really don't need the industrial size anything. Except maybe the BAND. LOL

Thanks everybody!!! I am feeling a bit better. Just having the jitters I suppose. I am eating my grilled chicken and grilled zucchini as I write. Actually it's good:hungry: !!

I think I have a real problem with sugar! I had all that sugar on Tuesday and I guess I am just getting it out of my system again.

Thank again!! One week from Monday!!!!

Hi glogirl. Grill chicken, zuchinni!!!!!!! All I can have is Slimfast Optima, sugar free drinks, and as of today I can trade one small salad, (green only,) for one slimfast. Period, for two weeks. My date is the 7th also.

You bet it would be good! So big a difference in pre-op diets. Some don't require it at all. Read someones post the other day that had to do liquids for one month! I Better quit complaining, could be worse, huh.:phanvan

Hi March banders.. March is really filling up with dates. I still can not believe I am doing this, it is kinda scary!! On the other hand I keep thinking about all of the years that I have lost *trying* to get my weight under control to only get bigger. It will be like going back in time with no pain in my knees and ankles,being able to buy younger clothes and smaller shoes. I guess you can say my body will be the age my head still thinks it is!! lol

Hey Gang!

I'm going for my preop class on March 1st and will have my surgery on March 19th. Any other March 19th banders? or Dr. Abkin patients (NJ)?

I'm nervous, excited, hopeful, optimistic and still in disbelief! Good luck everyone and cheers to a whole new life.

Virginia

Hey Virginia!

I'm scheduled for March 19th, too. I have hadall my testings done save for the psych one (March 1) and meet for the final time with my PCP on Monday to get all forms ready to be sent in.

I kinda hate having the date without the approval because it leaves room for denial, but the sugeon is sure everything will go through just fine.

Are you nervous yet? I'm not too bad but I'm sure it will get me either once I'm approved or the closer the time gets.

Fingers crossed!

debc

Hi, I would love to join your group. My name is Sue I live in Moscow, Russia

and I am scheduled for banding on March 7th. I am so excited but I am getting nervous. I will fly out on Sunday, meet Dr. Frering on Monday and have a endoscope on Tuesday and surgery on Wednesday. I am reading everything and making my self both anxious and crazy...just bring it ON already ..how much can a girl take? Looking forward to getting to know you guys.

I see that some get a surgery date before they get insurance approval. My dr will not even see you until your insurance approves. Her nurse explained that they get so many denied and found that it wasted peoples time and money to go through all the pre-op stuff if they insurance wasn't approved. Did anyone else have to have approval before their dr would see them?

:welcomeB: Demmemoon and Sue in Russia!!! Good Luck to both of you!

Hi Ladies,

Technically I should be a February bandster, but since I am being banded on the 27th, I figured that would be closer to March. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time! Just want to wish everyone luck!

:clap2:

Jamie

I'm religious too-- but I'm not Christian. I'm in the Other category. If you really want to know you can PM me.

But I do think it is helpful to have solid beliefs, whatever it is you believe when going through transition periods like this Every bit helps.

Hi Kyethra! I'm another in the "Other" category :eek:

I do have a stong spiritual belief. Its just not exactly Christian

I see that some get a surgery date before they get insurance approval. My dr will not even see you until your insurance approves. Her nurse explained that they get so many denied and found that it wasted peoples time and money to go through all the pre-op stuff if they insurance wasn't approved. Did anyone else have to have approval before their dr would see them?

My doctor makes you go through all the hoops before you can see him. (Clearances, documented weight loss efforts, and 10% weight loss)

What they explained to me was that all that they have you do is MORE than most insurance companies require so it is pretty rare for one of their patients to not be approved.

I do know for me it was easier than for a friend who has BC/BS - she had to sign extra papers and submit more than I had to because they knew that was what their insurance required. (and this was BEFORE she got to see the surgeon)

Hi Ladies,

Technically I should be a February bandster, but since I am being banded on the 27th, I figured that would be closer to March. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time! Just want to wish everyone luck!

:clap2:

Jamie

MEEEE TOOO~:nervous

Tracy

Hi Kyethra! I'm another in the "Other" category

I do have a stong spiritual belief. Its just not exactly Christian :eek:

hey.. maybe we should start our own thread? Very spritual myself as well but not of the Christian faith, though that is how I was raised.

T

Hi Kyethra! I'm another in the "Other" category

I do have a stong spiritual belief. Its just not exactly Christian :eek:

Count me in as "Other", too! Maybe we should get our own category so we can discuss our weight loss journey along with our spiritual journey.

I know I wouldn't want to take on this journey without Goddess by my side!

Blessed Be to all my Other sisters here.

demmemoon