A.Cupcake

That is so great! Even crazier we are the same age and almost same height -ya got an inch on me Since joining derby I have been up and down weight-wise. I believe at my lightest I was around 215? Imagining dropping serious pounds will help with speed/endurance (which are my biggest issues). Jamming has always been a bit of a dream for me and when I DO jam I wrecking ball into people and go to the box, ha. I'm still in the "band closet"..haven't told anyone except my brother and husband. Taking about a week off work then doing office/easy stuff for a couple weeks. Are you on NoVa? I'm with Key City (part of a split from Mason-Dixon over the summer and formed a new league in Frederick) I volunteer for DC sometimes and go to most of their home bouts. So awesome to "meet" you!

I've been wondering the EXACT same thing! Small, small world to meet another derby gal here AND one that is kind of close (I'm in MD!) My band date is coming up on November 2nd and I told my league I'll be on medical LOA for a few weeks. I have brought up skating/derby with my doctor and nutritionist but they don't really know what I'm talking about. I'm pretty scared of getting the port hit hard. So you felt that good a week'ish later?? That's awesome. I was so afraid I'd be off skates for at least a month or so.

Hey everyone! I only posted a couple times because I was terrified of jinxing myself before getting approval. WELL, as of this morning I'm approved and have a surgery date! Everything happened so fast! Even though sometimes it didn't feel like it.. I did research and lurked on these forums for a long, long time before I decided to start the journey. Overweight for pretty much ever. My BMI is 38 and I've been told I "hold the weight well" hahaha. In MY mind I am in perfect shape..then I look in the mirror or see a picture and think UGH and get depressed. I told my nutritionist besides the health reasons, I really want to buy awesome clothes. No joke. I want pants and skirts from Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie, I want to wear button down tops without the risk of my chest busting out, and I want to wear amazing dresses. I bought an awesome food processor and drink blender, lots of food from amazon and getting my lists together for surgery. This site has been an amazing source of information. My insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield (I have Blue Cross Blue Choice open access with a $30 co-pay) I spent about $450 out of pocket but it was worth it. The sleep study is what cost the most since I hadn't met my deductible this year. Since my #1 question at first was about approval and timeline I posted mine below. September 2011 - First appointment with Surgeon. October 2011 -Completed psych evaluation, sleep study & all pre-op/vitamin/nutrition classes needed. October 11th, 2011 - Doctors office sent in all paperwork to insurance (BCBS of Maryland) October 13th, 2011 10AM - Approved!!!!!! October 24, 2011 - 1 week before surgery class at DR's office. November 2, 2011 5:45AM -Surgery scheduled!

It will go by quickly, even though it doesn't feel like it all the time! Good luck

So crazy how the wait period varies with each person. I was really lucky and approved within 2 days.

That completely sucks. Sorry for you & hope everything goes well.

Thanks everyone! Feel free to add me as a friend I am one of those "in the closet bandsters" but you can find my facebook and twitter via my blog sarcasticcupcake.com Good luck to everyone!! 2 weeks from today. Wow.

Yeah, each BCBS is different. Many small policy companies write out lap-band/similar surgeries from their policy. I was lucky that my company didn't and BCBS is covering everything. Good luck!

November 2nd! I never thought I'd be a bandster so quickly! I just got my surgery date yesterday. No pre-op diet given to me but I'm making food lists, getting a blender thingie and other goodies from amazon so I start getting things in order

Congrats and good luck!! That's awesome you're doing it together. What hospital are you both using? I'm in Maryland as well. Just finished up everything and got approval/surgery date this morning. (Date of November 2)

My dr's office submitted insurance paperwork on Tuesday and I got a call this morning saying I was approved! BCBS of Maryland

I'm in Mt.Airy-pretty close to Frederick. Just starting the process here but would be up for working out sometime! I had my psych eval, Doctor consult and need to get my classes with dietician and sleep study then they will clear me for surgery and submit my paperwork!

Hi there! 28/F here. I have been thinking about having surgery for a couple years now. I finally made an appointment a few weeks ago and this Wednesday I'm meeting with my potential surgeon. Last week I had my Mental Health Evaluation. She seems to think I'm in the right state of mind to proceed ;P I've been going to a weight loss center for over 2 years-will that count as a "6th month supervised weight loss attempt"? During the 2+ years I've been on/off Phentermine among other things. The doctor's office has the records I had sent over. My insurance is Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield (Maryland) My insurance rep says the biggest challenge is going to be my age (under 30) and the fact I don't have a BMI of 40+. Although, I'm pretty close. OH, is a sleep study mandatory?? Just taking it all in here, so much great information and helpful people