Ok Banded pro's this is my first time posting , I would like to know if n e 1 has been banded in columbus, ohio at the Mt. Carmel hospital and if so how was your experience? I have just sent in my first set of paper work to be approve by their Dr. Also they are charging $300.00 for administrator fee (paper pushing to the Ins.), not to mention I will have to spend another $200.00 for their nutritionist and this $500.00 is not covered by my insurance:faint: . Are fee's normal? I was just wondering because I feel as much as the surgery cost, these things should be included! N E help would be nice

Oh, I almost forgot!!! I got the best deals at Goodys at Indian Mound Mall. They are closing the store, and EVERYTHING is 50-80% off. I got 7 huge bags of things for me and DH for just over 150.00!!!!!! I got a really nice dress for 7.00 and a suit for 12.50. I got reebok flip flops for 2.00 and DH got nike swim trunks (regular 42.00) for 5.00!!!! He got Arrow dress shirts for 3.50 each, and dress pants for 15.00. I found my DS OSU flip flops for the cruise for 1.75!!!!!!!!!!! I was in shock at the prices, and will be stocking up on smaller sizes. I even got a canvas bag to take on my cruise for 2.00!!!

TM--wow, what a great deal! I love finding stuff that I need on sale like that! The best therapy in the world!!!

I was really looking forward to coming tonight, but both my kids start swim lessons at 6pm. I don't want to miss their first class. I will make sure to make the next meeting!

Well, I have been playing phone tag with Charlene for 5 days now...She calls me back at home, but doesn't try my cell phone, even after I ask her to call me on it...I know she must be busy, but it drives me sooooo crazy! I remember that last year when I was trying to get ahold of her, it was the same way. Oh Well, what else can I do?

Poor Buckeyes! I feel so bad for them to have made it so far (twice) and to be blown away! It doesn't help to be playing a team in their own back yard! Ok, maybe that is just an excuse...

Have fun tonight ladies...and be sure to share all the details!

Good afternoon girlies!

Ok, who was able to attend the meeting last night? How did it go?? Would love details..... and pictures too if you took them. I really wish I could have been there, but am just so busy right now.

Niki.... I think you're right, shopping is the best therapy around.

Will check in later for a full report.

Everyone have a blessed day!

Good afternoon girlies!

Ok, who was able to attend the meeting last night? How did it go?? Would love details..... and pictures too if you took them. I really wish I could have been there, but am just so busy right now.

Niki.... I think you're right, shopping is the best therapy around.

Will check in later for a full report.

Everyone have a blessed day!

Hi Angie... there's a few rundowns of our meeting over in the Columbus thread. It went really well... just me, Special K and Debbie were there. I was a bit surprised considering how nice it was last night. We had a nice time and it was great meeting the other gals. They are just terrific! We're going to have to plan another one. I was so invigorating to put faces with screennames and to meet other terrific bandsters outside of a support group meeting.

That sounds like fun! I sure wish I could have been there! So was there any talk about when and where to meet next? I think once a month or two would be fun!

Speaking of shopping...I just went to Kohls to pay off my christmas bill and they had their spring line in...OHhhh, I can't wait til next year to be able to shop anywhere I want!!!

I so wish I could have been with you all last night. My schedule is just so full at the moment. I have my DGS again tonight! That baby is the joy of my life, but there's a reason I had my babies so young!

Gotta get back to work.....

will check in later.

Good Morning ladies.

Just checking in to see whats new....... NOTHING!!!! Where is everyone? You all must be staying pretty busy too.

I'm on my way out the door with DH to see his Dr. at the James.

Will check in with everyone this afternoon with a full report.

TM-I will keep you in my prayers today. I hope you get the news you want!

Well, no call back yesterday from Charlene...I hate this part of the journey! I did email my PCP yesterday with my last weight and told him to fax another letter to Charlene to send to my new insurance company. I can only imagine how long that is going to take!

Have a great day ladies!

I've been really busy the last couple days but I did really enjoy meeting Heather and Debbie at the mall. Turns out we all live within 10-15 minutes at most from each other in the Westerville area!

I promised to help get another group meeting together a month after I get banded. We said we'd try for a Gahanna or Easton location and a weekend maybe a Friday night or Saturday the next time.

Charlene from my surgeon's office called today and let me know as soon as I get my psych clearance in, she will try to submit to Insurance and see how it goes. She thinks I have enough. That would be a huge surprise if it goes through without the additional 2 months of nutritionist appt I thought I have to do. One nutritionist appt is tomorrow at 9am so I'll still keep that one. The psychologist was super nice and it turned out to be 400 questions but they were really easy. It was obvious they are looking for people with major issues and I don't have major issues. I think she will give me my psych clearance on Tues Jan 15 when I see her.

+

does anyone remember the seinfeld episode where george costanza gains entry into the beautiful womens club?

well, today, as i was entering krogers, i passed a beautiful, blonde woman. she was looking at me and smiling and acting like she wanted to address me. I started to look over my shoulder, wondering if she was really smiling at someone else.

but then it dawned on me--"She thinks I am one of THEM.

she thinks i am a fellow member of the beautiful women's club!!! she doesnt know that 6 months ago i was a member of the fat womens club"!!!!

Call me crazy, but i think george costanza was on to something!!!

Charlene from my surgeon's office called today and let me know as soon as I get my psych clearance in, she will try to submit to Insurance and see how it goes. She thinks I have enough. That would be a huge surprise if it goes through without the additional 2 months of nutritionist appt I thought I have to do. One nutritionist appt is tomorrow at 9am so I'll still keep that one. The psychologist was super nice and it turned out to be 400 questions but they were really easy. It was obvious they are looking for people with major issues and I don't have major issues. I think she will give me my psych clearance on Tues Jan 15 when I see her.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!!!

does anyone remember the seinfeld episode where george costanza gains entry into the beautiful womens club?

well, today, as i was entering krogers, i passed a beautiful, blonde woman. she was looking at me and smiling and acting like she wanted to address me. I started to look over my shoulder, wondering if she was really smiling at someone else.

but then it dawned on me--"She thinks I am one of THEM.

she thinks i am a fellow member of the beautiful women's club!!! she doesnt know that 6 months ago i was a member of the fat womens club"!!!!

Call me crazy, but i think george costanza was on to something!!!

Yep! You are definitely one of them now :-) Congrats!!!

I wanted to share with you if you're considering getting a nutritionist, that I found the Rite-Bite group off Green Meadows Dr. S. (just off Powell Rd near High St) was just very terrific. The dietician I worked with was Laura Poland and I'd highly recommend her. After today's initial appointment it made me wish I'd gone to her instead of investing months of time at WW meetings where nobody really can take the time to look at food diaries, knows the medical aspects of nutrition issues, etc. I'm not saying I didn't like and respect my WW leaders, they just were not dietary professionals like an RD/LD.

So, wish me luck! The dietician said I'm doing lots of right things and she advised me to try to reduce my calorie target by 100 calories a day, add exercise as consistently as I can, choose complex Proteins for Snacks, eat throughout the day to keep my metabolism humming along, and then I have another appointment with her Feb 8 to see how that went.

Chemical stress test bill came in the mail yesterday - what a shocker! It was over $2500 and my part that I have to pay is $450. Ouch! That is an example of an insurance company driving a doctor to order an expensive test that really wasn't necessary given I had a normal EKG and no heart trouble symptoms.

Next up, what will be the co-pay amount that isn't covered for an echocardiogram? Stay tuned....

Hey girlies,

Debbie, I am so happy for you. I know you have to feel like a brand new woman, and just think its only gonna get better for you.

SpecialK, hon you are moving right along. That bill sure does hurt the pocket book though .

We went to the James yesterday to see the oncology surgeon. She said she sees no need for further surgery (THANK GOD), but she still wants him to see the oncologist for his input on treatment. We see him on the 17th. So, we wait some more

I had my last monthly weigh in with my PCP today. Down 6 lbs this month! I am so happy about that. Now I have to see Katie (dietician) on the 30th for my last visit before Barix submits everything. It feels like its been forever working on this stuff, but its almost over now.

Hope everyone had a blessed week, and have a great weekend.