Margo

Wow, just got off the phone with my surgeon's office....the attitude, my God! Now I would not be venting like this, but this is the second snotty attitude experience I have had. Today I call to check the status of my chart and all my incoming reports. So I ask to talk to the nurse....the receptionist gets back on and asked me what I was calling for???? (This is only the second time I have ever called to talk to anyone!) I told her I had questions about my chart and wanted to know what the self-pay price is just in case I have to go that way. I would like to be prepared for the cost and figure out how to pay for this surgery, you know?! Well, she says the nurse is not available, but she (the receptionist) would check my chart and get back to me. O.k., fine.... Then she told me that I would have to MAKE an APPOINTMENT to discuss self-pay prices with the nurse! Her attitude was very snotty and, I might add, kind of secertlike. This is no fly-by-night organization. It's big and according to my research one of the best in the Midwest. Does all this seem right to you? Was your experience similar? I can't believe I need to make an appointment to talk to the nurse. Oh, by the way, the nurse can be seen ONLY on Wednesdays... Margo

I understand your frustration completely! I just had to go to my PCP to get more paperwork for the surgeon's office to send to the insurance company. I am so ready to be a bandster....it's driving me crazy. Plus I must think positive, but I am afraid that my insurance will not cover the band. Wow, I hope I am wrong!! I just pray that it will be covered. I will say a little prayer for you. Hang in there.....there are a lot of people like us going through all the pre-op jazz and everyone hits some kind of snag, but things usually work out for the best. Margo

Wow, I need some major hugs today. I am feeling very discourged with the initnal pre-op paper work. One day they need "this" and the next day they need "that". I am so jazzed to have this sugery....RIGHT NOW!! I really hope the process speeds up a bit. I am getting depressed. Margo

Girl, that hot tub scene is "hot".....You go, girlfriend!!! Margo

Where does the insurance coverage stand? Well, we are waiting on 4 more reports (EKG, Pulumontary and the blood work and physical therapy). I had all these appointments on May 27. I thought they would have all the reports in by tomorrow, but some how I doubt it now! Once the reports are in to my surgeon they have to package the stuff up and send it off to the insurance company. Now, my insurance coverage is up in the air since each time I call they give me a different answer. I called the insurance person who sold the policy to my husband's boss and she said she would put the coverage book in the mail...still have not seen that either! I have a feeling the policy excluses WLS.....if so, what can I do then, but self-pay, right? Man, I am frustrated. Margo

Thanks for your replies....I just got a call back from the reception who informed me as to what reports are in and which are not. Can you think of any reason that they could not tell me the price of the lap band....I mean, I am a patient and all....hell, even if I weren't a patient they should be able to tell me this information without an appointment....I am so confused and really hoping I have made the right choice with this place. Margo

"although I've had several dreams where I was thin as a pencil lol". WOW, I just had one of those dreams last night and I swear I was running around naked as a jay bird through the whole dream!! I guess I am so impatient because I just feel so gross, my whole body hurts, my clothes are too tight, it's getting warm out and the heat bugs me....I want a date so I can have my "last supper" and start this two week liquid phrase.... I am just so uncomfortable I can hardly stand it..... I want to thank everyone for the support....I truly need it right now. Margo

Thanks everyone...the hugs and all the support is helping me out today! I am patience to a point then I just go nuts. I can't wait to start a thread that says "I am a bandster"! Margo

Thanks so much....who knows maybe these "ice cream bars" came from one of my dreams!!!??? Margo

Nope, I checked here too, but no luck! It is riding me nuts....good thing it's a short trip!!! Margo

Thank everyone....I think I am going to call the dietian and see why the carbs and the Protein need to be equal.... Margo

I am testing out different things to drink instead of soda prior to getting my band. I discovered Propel today. YUMMY.....the grape is excellent, but the black cherry is awesome. Anyone else drink this stuff? It has just a tad of sugar....I think it's 3 grams per serving..is that O.K.? Margo

I just have to thank everyone here for all the support, information, advice, etc. I went to my first of two dietian meeting tonight (this one is a group meeting). Because I have learned so much here, I really felt good about the meeting and truly have a real understanding of the band. There were a couple of people in this group that I just wanted to say, "hey, you need more information to make a sound decision". Only 2 of us are getting the band (the other person is a nurse....that made me feel good!) the rest are getting the bypass surgery. One women asked me and the nurse why we were getting the band instead of the bypass. We then asked her why she was getting the bypass instead of the band. Her answer: Well, I just want to lose weight without all the "fill" stuff and going back and forth to the doctor every month. I pray she gets more information.... Another man said he did not want to "fuss" with pureed foods, etc....he wanted to just drink Protein shakes until he could do solids. I wanted to say....people we need to "fuss" and we need to deal with "stuff"....bypass and/or the band is only a tool...this is not magic! Again, thanks for everything....it is off to the psychologist tomorrow for that appointment! m

Just have to update everyone...I am so excited, but kind of nervous now since all my pre-op appointments are over!! I have the letter from my PCP to get to the office, already got a copy of the psycholoist report, and the rest will probably be turned in next week. Then please pray for me that my insurance covers me. I feel very close to all this happening, but yet not. I am so anxious for a surgery date so I can start my new life. M

I just realized how lucky I am to have my hospital, my surgeon and my (soon to need) fills done within about 10 miles from my house. Tomorrow I have another pre-op appointment and it will only take me about 15 minutes to drive to it! Blessing..... M

You girls might want to try Old Navy....they are advertisting the longer-tapered shorts...just an idea! I am a capris girl until it's unbearable hot then it's shorts, but watch out next summer or maybe even the end of this summer!!!! M

Holy cow, I am 46 with an 8 year old....you think you feel old??!!! Margo

I am a (very) part-time quilting teacher. In my "past" lives I was a paralegal, real estate broker, TV producer/director/writer.....BUT my best job is being mom to my 8 year old daughter, Alexandra. Margo

I am getting very, very excited....I have three of my requirements done - 1) consult with surgeon, 2) a letter from PCP re: co-mordidities and past diets, etc. and 3) the required basic seminar at the hospital! Monday morning I start with the dietatian, Tuesday is the pychololgist and Friday is PT, pulmontary, blood work and EKG......then all the paperwork goes to my insurance.....I'm dancing here....... M

O.K., here is my situation.....I can't decide how I should approach "telling or not telling" people I am having WLS. I had decided to not tell anyone then choose to tell two people.....one was kind of a test as she is a friend but not a super close friend and the other is a very close friend. Now I have another friend in the hospital (respiratory failure) due to her weight. So I am talking to the "test" friend and forgot I told her about WLS. Instead I said, I would share something with her since we were talking about our friend in the hospital due to her weight.....my "test" friend says, "of course, you already told me about the WLS". Wow, I felt so stupid.....I guess I am confused....I hate this not telling since I am so excited about it, but would like to be a little private, I guess... Did you tell? How? When? Everyone or just if someone mentioned your change in eating or weight? Help.... M

sandie Sorry, Sandie, I hit the submit button too fast....meant to wish you GOOD LUCK, too!!! M

sandie I have Humana PPO.... M

I so excited since I have decided what my first NSV victory "prize" will be....the day my insurance gives the "O.K." (see I am being positive!) to cover my surgery and the surgeon and I set a date...........I will start my tickerfactory under my name will all my information!!!!!! Can't wait to do this.... M

That is so great that they give you a surgery date right away. I was told that once the insurance says it is a "go", then they will schedule the date. That's O.K., but I am so anxious I can barely sleep at night. M

Hey, TrishaS.....what do you mean you don't have any friends? I consider myself your friend....I mean, I am here everyday learning and reading and sometimes posting! I feel like I know you guys better than some of my friends in the "real" world..hahahaha. So, thanks for the input...it is nice to hear what FRIENDS have to say!! M