I attended the info seminar on 8/3 and decided then that getting banded was for me. I went home and filled out the 9 pages of patient info, got my primary care dr the copy of the release (needed 5 yrs worth of history) to mail the surgeon a copy, and I've waited for what seems like forever. I know the calendar says that it's only been 18 days but it's been killing me. I finally got the call from the surgeon's office to sechedule my consultation. I figured it would be about 3 or more weeks from the time they finally called. Well I got the call today... my appointment is on Tuesday! Yes... that's three days from today!

Not only that but the nurse told me that b/c of my insurance I do not have to come up with their office "program fee" of $500! So that's two great things in one day! I'm just so happy to finally start this journey and progress past the "thinking about it" phase.

Just had to share!

V

Vickie, Congrats! You are on your way to a lifelong change. Keep us posted on your progression.

Congrats!!! It is so great to work towards progress. Read the boards its helped me out bunches.

Awesome news and congrats!!! What a journey you've got coming to you too!

The appointment yesterday was really good. The office staff is so nice and it's a very supportive feeling they all give off. The surgeon was honest with the possible complications (he also added the chances as well as the "fix" for each if it were to happen) so that made me feel really comfortable with the decision.

I got my questions answered and was really happy after I left. I found out that as long as I maintain my current weight I won't have to do any preop diet... just the nothing after midnight the night before kind of thing.

So they sent me on my way with the information that I needed to set up a time to see the nutritionist (i have to wait a few days to call though) and that the psychologist would be calling me to make an appt.

I was exhausted from the worry I put myself through so I went home and took a nap only to get a call from the phych office asking me if I could see the dr this Sat! This is all really falling into place. Hopeful surg date the first week of Nov.

Sorry so long all.

Wow, Vickie congrats on your decision and moving through your appointments to get them under your belt! I have been doing the same thing. My first appointment with the surgeon was actually on 7/23 and the only thing I have left to do is pulmonologist (tomorrow) and sleep apnea before they will send my charts over to the insurance company! I am super excited too!

This board is a great resource for support and advice, so use all the tools that are available to you!

Looking forward to sharing the journey with you :-)!

Thanks for all of the support. I really do enjoy reading the boards. They help so much. I don't think I would have come up with as many questions for the surgeon as I did without you guys!

Juliansmom- Good luck with the pulmo tomorrow! My surgeon just moved here from the Philly area. Small world.

Congrats! I am glad everything is going so well for you :w00t:

Good for you! Keep pushing...it took me a year to get approved. This included the 6 month pre op with primary care and constant calling to the dr's office. One year - a totally frustrating difficult year. So hang in there and be prepared it is going to take more time to get to know the band, work with it and get to where you feel comfortable with yourself again. I'm not there yet bc I'm only at a 51 lb weightloss in 6 months and can barely notice the loss. Hang in there and keep pushing!

The surgery coordinator just called me. The tentative November surgery date is now a solid SEPT 30!!!! WOW. I am so numb right now. I still have to get all of the other appts in but I can do it. She's sending off the ins paperwork today but she said that the company that I have is usually really good about getting back quickly and that she sees nothing that would stop them from approving me.