Donnajade

HarleyN - I ride with Hubby for now - I really want my own but will have to wait on that. Your's is beautiful! Are you really thinking of selling? I haven't been on a ride since befor the surgery - maybe I'll try a short one this weekend with him. I guess I SHOULD do laundry every day but I just can't bring myself to do it. When I get home from work it's make dinner, do a bit of cleaning, yell at my youngest to get. your. homework. done!, and then I try and read or watch a little TV. Plus - I'm a total homebody so having all the laundry to do on the weekend guarantees a quiet day at home. Diane - did you get the protien the other day? Was it super expensive? I was thinking the other night about something you just made a comment on - being patient while this band is tweeked for us. Some people around me think/thought that as soon as I was banded I would start dropping weight really fast - like bypass does. I've had to explain more than once that this isn't the way it works. Sometimes I wish I hadn't told anyone. I'm off to see Dr. T in a bit. My two week checkup.

Hey everyone. It's a beautiful day today huh? Hubby just went out on a Toys For Tots ride with others from Hampton Roads Harley Davidson. Wish I could have gone but didn't want to get half way there and have to turn around. Diane - happy birthday! Belated. Not much going on - just the laundry and house cleaning. uggh. So your doing OK on the liquid diet? I go on Wednesday for my 2 week check up with Dr. T. I guess he'll let me know at that time if I can go to mushies or not. Mamato3 - congrats on your approval. I was also offered an earlier surgery date but couldn't because of work. If you ask to be put on the cancelation list - it might happen earlier. Either way, it's gonna happen for you and what a great way to start the new year. HarlyN - what are your plans for today? I told Diane I do laundry on sundays - along with house cleaning - which I hate! Speaking of which - I have to get back to. Talk to ya soon.

Gina - yes, it feels GREAT to have it behind me. Now I'm ready for the real work! Will you be heading on to Richmond or just doing the interviews here? I love the Halloween stuff Cracker Barrell has. Have a good evening.

Diane - I just sent you a PM. Please tell Hubby to try not to worry. I know that really isn't possible but everything was great. The surgery took about 45 minutes and when it was over the Dr. came out to let my hubby know that all was OK. After that they told him they would call him on his cell when I was out of the recovery room and he just told me it was an hour up to that point. They took me in right before the 7:30 surgery time - it was great being the first one. I got home around 1:30 but that was only because they were busy in the x-ray so it took them longer to do that on me. Once they finished with that I was released.

Good evening everyone. Thanks for checking on me. I'm doing fine - was in a bit of pain until Friday but then really started feeling better. I started to get on-line yesterday to do an update but my computer would not connect with the site. I thought maybe it was down. Anyway, back to work tomorrow. Diane - I'm gonna really be sending you good vibes on Wednesday. Try not to worry - everyone at the hospital was so great. I had the greatest nurse checking in and we chatted about the whole band process. I have been doing lots of drinking and walking. Even went to Sams Club yesterday. I stopped taking the pain pills the first day and have relied on Tylenol. The gas right under my left breast has been the worse so I've been laying on my left side with the heating pad and it helps. I'm really looking forward to all this and it helps that my family and friends are very supportive of me. Not to mention all the info I've gotten here. So - all is good! On another note - I'm worried about Zannie too. I have an appointment on the 7th of Nov so if I'm the next one with one I would be glad to ask the girls at the office to get a message to her. Just let me know.

Good morning everyone. I'm finishing up some stuff at work today and then will be at the hospital by 5:30 tomorrow! I can't say I'm nervous just yet - I'm sure I will be by the time tomorrow actually comes. I just keep thinking that this is IT! - you know? The IT that is finally gonna help me get healthy and feeling good again. Signgirl - you got the 7:30 one too! Yeaaa!!! I would rather do it first thing in the morning. :eek: I'll talk to everyone soon.

Laurend - where do you get the drinks you mentioned? I just ordered some samples from Unjury but those sound great - especially the peanut butter and Vanilla-Cinnamon ones. Thanks for your help.

Jacole - I would say to call your insurance rep and ask them what their approval time frame is. My surgeon's office told me my insurance company would take 30 days to approve or deny, the insurance rep told me 72 hours and I was approved within the 72 hours. Lots of others on this board have said to call your company often and I think that is great advice. Good Luck!

LWB - how is everything? Got an update for us? Hebber - I did the 6 month diet too - it goes so much faster than you think. In month 4 I did my psyc eval and met with the nutrition - got those out of the way so that as soon as the 6 months was over they could submit to the insurance. Did you decide on a Dr. yet?

Hi HarleyNana, I'm here - just been very busy getting ready for surgery Tuesday!!!!! Signgirl and I met the other night at our nutrition and support group at the hospital. Hi Signgirl! Did you get your room finished? I think I'm ready for Tuesday. I've got everything except for some sugar free popcycles. I'm gonna run to the store today to get the last few things. Monday I'll get my pain medicine and then I'm done. My surgery is scheduled for 7:30 and Dr. T said I will probably be home by 11:30. Any last words of wisdom? GR8 - you changed your picture - you look wonderful! And your weight loss is out of this world! I can't wait to start updating my ticker. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Vicki - congrats! Hope you are feeling better today. I'm counting down the days! I had two big things this month - surgery and taking my son to upstate NY to apply to a culinary school he wants to attend next year. The NY trip is over and now I'm just waiting for the surgery! I'm the first surgery that day and the Dr. says I should be home by 11:30. Let us know how you are. MtnDew - how did your surgery go?

Hope2B - I saw my PCP every month like clockwork. They recorded my weight, BP & pulse. When my Dr. came in he would look things over, ask how my exercising was going - I was trying to walk for 30 minutes every other night and this is what I told him each time. (I did sprain my ankle during this time which I had the documentation from the hospital so I didn't walk for 3 weeks), I was signed up for an automatic deduction from my back account for Weight Watchers and was trying to follow that program. I didn't lose one pound during the six months. I talked to the rep at Cigna numerous times during those six months with the same questions as you - "am I doing everything right, do I need to do more" and so on. When I sent my info to my surgery Dr. I included copies of my bank statements where it showed the deduction for Weight Watchers - I have no idea if that helped or not. I really think it has a lot to do with who your employer is. We have Cigna through my husband's work and he works for a large company. Every time I called Cigna I wrote down my questions before I got a rep and then I wrote down the rep's name and their answers to my questions. Make sure your PCP is documenting that you are doing a healthy eating program, exercising and so on. I think I've read on here that some people kept a journal of their food and exercise - I'm sure it would be good to have. I know I'm rambling - I'm just trying to remember all the stuff. I hope I've helped. My surgeon told me just Monday that he knows one important thing with Cigna is to make sure you don't miss a month's visit. That was something he had been told from other patients. Shoot me a note if you have any questions - I'll do my best to help. Good luck.

I'm not banded yet - the 23rd is my date - but wanted to say good luck.

Big Fred - YEA!!!! I knew it would happen. I'm getting banded the 23rd so I'll be thinking of you on the 25th.

HarleyNana - very nice picture! You look so pretty. So I'm wondering - what kind of Harley do you have? Husband and I have a 2006 Road King. When I lose all this weight, I'm getting my own! (at least that is my plan) :car:

I'm up for a trip to the Outer Banks anytime! A bander weekend would be great! LWB-is the house in Avon or Buxton? Have you ever been to the Gaskins Gallery in Avon? Hope you get the house! Has anyone heard from Zannie/Suzanne? I don't think she has posted in a while - just wanted to know that she is OK.

Hey guys. I can't believe we were all at OBX this past weekend! :eek: My friend that lives in Avon helps me keep my sanity. I go there when I just need a break from hubby and the kids. I too love the sound of the ocean and don't mind the sea salt on the car at all! Signgirl - where are you staying? Heather, I'm very sorry about your sister. I know that must have been hard to lose her. *hug* Gina, your weight loss is great! Good for you! I was going to ask you about a liquid diet before the surgery, if Dr. T requires one, but you mentioned that it is optional? Do they suggest all liquid or one or two meals a day? I don't do my pre-op class until next Tuesday and my nutrition class is not until the 18th. Thanks again for all the great info for us newbies. Donna

Thanks for the great list. I've printed it and have it with my packet of info.

Miriam, good luck tomorrow! I'm very excited for you and everyone else starting on this journey. I'm scheduled for the 23rd so you'll have to let me know how everything goes. How old are your children? I've got a 12 & 17 year old so it will really just be me that hubby has to take care of. I have so much going on this month that I know the 23rd will be here before I know it. Take care and be sure and check in to let us know how everything went. I'll be thinking of you. Donna

Freebird, yes, I had to do the psych eval and a nutrition eval. Hmmmm, my psychologist didn't use the F word once - wonder if I missed something??? *smile* Did you spend the whole hour talking about his problems? Don't worry - he probably can't remember if he thought he should approve you or not so he'll just approve you! Seriously, I was worried a bit about mine but I just answered her as best I could and at the end of my session she told me she was approving me. He has probably already sent his approval to your dr. You have a couple more months of the 6 month diet? Has your surgery dr. already given you a surgery date? Donna

Gina, thanks for the info on the charge. I actually that list but it was in the back of my packet and I hadn't looked at it lately. I'm on still on track for my 10/23 date and still looking forward to it very much. I took a short weekend trip to visit a friend in Avon NC and it was fun telling her all about it. She was really interested. Hope everyone is doing OK. Signgirl - Halloween will be here soon! donna

Big Fred, I started about 8 months ago. A friend asked me to attend a meeting with her. I had never even heard of the band - I had heard of bypass and at one point about 2 years ago had thought about that. I decided very quickly after doing research that it wasn't for me. But, when I heard them talk about the band I got very interested and started doing research. I think the first thing I did was find this board and the second thing was talk to my Dr. At that point I called Cigna and asked about the morbid obesity rider. They were actually very helpful every time I called (and I called a lot!) The coordinator at the center where I'm having the procedure also told me that Cigna would take 4 to 6 weeks to make a decision. I called Cigna and asked how long it would take and they told me 3 days. You probably already have called them but if you haven't, you might want to ask about the time frame. Just a thought. This will happen for you! You will be banded in Oct. Donna

Big Fred - I'm thinking about ya and sending good vibes your way. It will happen soon - I just know it! How long have you been doing this? I know you had to do the 6 month thing but did you start before that - looking into this and talking to your Dr. I'm sorry you're having this problem. Donna

I'm Donna in Virgina and I'm scheduled for October 23rd. Happy to join the October banders! :clap2: