Look out Hef, there is a new group of bunnies in the making. All the beautiful women who will be banded in April 2009!

Hang tight bunnies! April is only 90 short days away.:Yawn:

Hahaha that is so funny! I am hopfully going to be an April Bandster. I am also most likely going to be self pay since I'm a borderline insurance approval candidate. I look forward to sharing this journey with all the other April Bandsters.

IF my approval comes quickly, I could be an April Bunny Bandster. Otherwise, I'm looking at May. Here's to hoping!

Hey, Dont give up.. I am boarderline insurance approval also, I have a BMI of 37 with two comorbidities. We are sending everything to the insurance company for approval next week. If all goes well, I might get banded on February 18. If not, then I will be an April bandster because of the 6 month clause in my insurance. My insurance is sticky because they ask for 3 years medical documentation that I have fought with my weight. Until about 2 years ago, I didn't even know a person could go to the doctor and get help with weight issues. I had never heard of bariatrics. Doesn't it just frost you that insurance companies have to make this process so difficult? Makes you wonder why you pay for insurance in the first place. Hang in there and don't let AETNA off the hook. I do know that they require the 6moth continuous office visits with the surgeon so what ever you do, find a surgeon pronto and don't miss a single appointment.

hi all

i have 3 more appts/months to go so i will more than likely be an april bandster too. im glad people are already posting, we have awhile to get to know each other.

i have aetna as well and yes they can be a hassle. i agree dont miss any appts. we have less than 90 days and it will go by fast.

Well it looks like I'll be an April "Bandster Bunny" too! I just finished month 4 of the 6 month diet and am finally having the tests done and a consultation with my new surgeon. My work has an exclusion for out-of-network surgeons so no go on Dr. Martin :thumbup:. But my new surgeon, Dr. Quilici, looks promising.

I can't wait until April!!!!!!!

Soooo it looks like I'm now going to be a March Bandster. I am definitely going the self-pay route so I will most likely have my surgery on 3/8/2009! YAY my bandster birthday will be three days before my real birthday!

Congrats, gabi! I'm happy for you - what a kick-arse birthday present!

Best wishes!

Hey Banster Bunnies,

I just received word today that my surgeon has sent my file to the insurance company for a pre-authorization. Cross your fingers for me, I might be a February Bunny! I can handle being Miss February some day. (ha ha) Now that I think about it, I would be happy to just be able to fit into a pair of Levis.

Can you please help me? I forgot how to start a thread. I have done it several times but for the life of me, I cant remember how.

I too just finished my 4th appt. today. 3 more to go. i know it passes by fast, but I am soooooooooo ready to get my band. Banster Easter Bunnies Whooo hoooo!

So, I am now scheduled for surgery on 3/8/09 so unfortunately I am not going to be a Bandster Bunny! I am so excited that the date got moved up and I am now having a hard time focusing on anything else right now...like my job!

I am hopefully going to be banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on April 3rd!!! I am self pay so income taxes have alot to do with it, but I also have to wait for spring break . I would love to know anyone else who maybe takeing a trip to him. To make it even sweeter my birthday is in April and I will be turning 30 and starting a new life at the same time.

hi all

i was just wondering if any of you are planning to start the pre-op diet early. my main reason for thinking about it is because my bmi is over 50. i've read on here where some people have had to do up to 3 months on it.

daqui-

i just completed 4th appt., 2 to go... and my BMI is also high. I've lost 17 pounds this month through calorie counting, food logs and excercising. They want me to lose another 17 or so before surgery. They'd like me to be at about 345 day of.

I haven't done the pre-op diet, per se. But I am trying to make habits of not drinking while eating, and taking a half hour to eat, etc. I'm keeping a food log and keeping my calories to 1100-1500 a day or so. And I've been exercising about four times a week at the gym.

It's been great - I actually have motivation to do it, and I have HOPE that I'm not just spinning my wheels, and the more I lose pre-surgery, the less I have to take off after the band!

hi mandi

i have started the preop diet today. it will not be as restrictive as my dr has outlined. i will save that for the 2 weeks before surgery. im hoping to lose at least 20 pounds before surgery. im at 335 right now and i was 327 when i first started so my doc is not happy. i do not want to get told that my surgery has to be pushed back.