2boys3cats

I have a 1/12/09 surgery date and can't wait! I begin the pre-op diet on 12/29. My surgery is with Dr. Ren at NYU. Good luck to all !

Hi, It varies from surgeon to surgeon, and even patient to patient, so I suggest you consult with your surgeon. I am being banded on 1/12/09, and will begin my liquid diet on 12/29/08 - for me, it is Optifast shakes for Breakfast, lunch and Snacks, with vegatables and a shake for dinner. It will be tough, but I am looking at it as a jump start to my new life! Good luck to you! When are you being banded?

Thinking of you and hoping all went well yesterday! Let us know!

My date is January 12th - one month from today! I can't wait! I have been waiting a long time for this, took me a while to get my act together to get a 6 month medically supervised weight loss plan, and then the psych exam, nutrion assesment, etc. Counting the days now - actually want the holidays over and done with! Good luck to all!

I can't believe it! It is really happening! 1/12 is my date! I went to my first information session in 9/07! It took me 16 months to get my act together, go through the 6 month supervised medical weight loss plan and then follow up with all appointments, etc. I will be having my surgery with Dr. Ren at NYU! Can't Wait!

I have made the decision to keep this surgery very private. I tested the waters with a few people and got very negative results, thus, knowing how I operate, I believe keeping this part of my journey private will be the right decision for me. I am wondering what to tell work ( I know my HR people will know what the surgery is) - I had my gall bladder out in 2003, so I can't use that excuse. Is there another surgery that I could mention I had that won't need much explanation? I am not one to make up stories, but know that people will ask ( they are always more direct then I am). What have any of you said you are doing or why you are out of work?

Wow, this journey finally feels like it is moving along! 6 months medically supervised weight loss, then collecting all the documentation and finding out I actually need 2 years of dcoumentation of being overweight! The first information session over a year ago, then the psych exam, the nutrional assesment, the physical and wow, days from meeting with Dr. Ren herself! To me it is ironic that it is the day before Thanksgiving! Also, back in July or so, I calculated that the Monday before Thanksgiving would have been a good day for surgery for me - timing wise. Question for NYU'ers with Cigna - when can I expect to get a surgery date? Months from now, or perhaps early January? I know you can't tell me for sure, just wondering what other people experienced. Also, for Dr. Ren patients, they say to bring your spouse for the consult - is this 100% mandatory? My spouse is traveling and won't be available. I don't want to reschedule! He is 100% behind me on this and will be there for surgery, etc. Any insights and experiences you can share will be appreciated! Thanks!j

I guess I have been clueless for a long time, I thought the HR/Benefit people who deal with the insurance benefits can see all of our medical claims. Is this not so?

Way to go! I am impressed, and can imagine that you are too! Keep up the great work, and keep us posted! I look forward to following in your footsteps. My surgery is 40 days away on 1/12/09

I'm not a fan of blogs, in fact they tend to annoy me. People writing away about the most mundane aspects of their life and posting publically about such. What gets me more, is when they are hurt or furious with comments about their blog. What do they expect? It is a public forum and there people are annon who enjoy poking fun, or just being plain honest under the cover of a screen name. The blogger who posts photos of him/herself and his/her family should realize this and take it for what it is worth, or don't post publically. Never the less, I am finding it important to document my weight loss journey and will hopefully keep my words and boring tales to a minimum. I am 41 days away from surgery. I don't know exactly how much I weigh, but it is somewhere in the 235-245 range. Nice! 5 foot 3 inches and somewhere between 235-245. - - Who is this person? I've battled my weight since I was 4 or 5 years old. I remember the school nurse commenting and maybe even laughing when she weighed me in kindergarten. I was always an active kid, and did everything all the other kids, and sometimes more. I got a horse when I was ten, and was responsible for caring and feeding him 7 days a week. I played sports, played dolls, rode bikes and went to horseback riding camp with my horse. It was at this time, for the first time, I lost weight - - a lot of weight! Somewhere between 30 - 40 lbs. I can remember running down a hill and losing my blue jeans -- honestly, having them fall right down and land by my ankles! It was amazing! It all happened in 6 weeks when I was in 6th grade. Then I returned home, and with it came my old habits. The weight returned and with it came more. I got older, and continued to ride, as well as ski race, play field hockey, swim team and all the other things teens do. I knew I was overweight, but thankfully, it never got in my way. I went on to college - it was my Junior year when I again shed a significant ammount of weight, and felt great. I had dates and boyfriends and spent my Jr. Year Abroad. For the most part I kept it off until my first year of work, when it slowly returned - - a few pounds a month, and finally a return to being significantly over weight.

I'm not a fan of blogs, in fact they tend to annoy me. People writing away about the most mundane aspects of their life and posting publically about such. What gets me more, is when they are hurt or furious with comments about their blog. What do they expect? It is a public forum and there people are annon who enjoy poking fun, or just being plain honest under the cover of a screen name. The blogger who posts photos of him/herself and his/her family should realize this and take it for what it is worth, or don't post publically. Never the less, I am finding it important to document my weight loss journey and will hopefully keep my words and boring tales to a minimum. I am 41 days away from surgery. I don't know exactly how much I weigh, but it is somewhere in the 235-245 range. Nice! 5 foot 3 inches and somewhere between 235-245. - - Who is this person? I've battled my weight since I was 4 or 5 years old. I remember the school nurse commenting and maybe even laughing when she weighed me in kindergarten. I was always an active kid, and did everything all the other kids, and sometimes more. I got a horse when I was ten, and was responsible for caring and feeding him 7 days a week. I played sports, played dolls, rode bikes and went to horseback riding camp with my horse. It was at this time, for the first time, I lost weight - - a lot of weight! Somewhere between 30 - 40 lbs. I can remember running down a hill and losing my blue jeans -- honestly, having them fall right down and land by my ankles! It was amazing! It all happened in 6 weeks when I was in 6th grade. Then I returned home, and with it came my old habits. The weight returned and with it came more. I got older, and continued to ride, as well as ski race, play field hockey, swim team and all the other things teens do. I knew I was overweight, but thankfully, it never got in my way. I went on to college - it was my Junior year when I again shed a significant ammount of weight, and felt great. I had dates and boyfriends and spent my Jr. Year Abroad. For the most part I kept it off until my first year of work, when it slowly returned - - a few pounds a month, and finally a return to being significantly over weight.

Kplant, I see you are having surgery with Dr. Ren tomorrow. Good luck! I am behind you and scheduled for 1/12. Please let us know how it goes!

Good luck! I see you are from NYC - where are you having your surgery? I am about 6 weeks behind you - with surgery scheduled for 1/12 at NYU. Hoping all goes well, and look forward to reading your posts !

Getting Closer! I finally have my consult with Dr. Ren on Wednesday! I joined this board well over a year ago...but now, I think I can see the true beginning of my weight loss journey, so here I am again! Wow, this journey finally feels like it is moving along! 6 months medically supervised weight loss, then collecting all the documentation and finding out I actually need 2 years of dcoumentation of being overweight! The first information session over a year ago, then the psych exam, the nutritional assesment, the physical, and wow, 2 days from meeting with Dr. Ren herself! To me it is ironic that it is the day before Thanksgiving! Also, back in July or so, I calculated that the Monday before Thanksgiving would have been a good day for surgery for me - timing wise. That didn't work out, but, hoping it will be soon! Question for NYU'ers with Cigna - when can I expect to get a surgery date? Months from now, or perhaps early January? I know you can't tell me for sure, just wondering what other people experienced. Also, for Dr. Ren patients, they say to bring your spouse for the consult - is this 100% mandatory? My spouse is traveling and won't be available. I don't want to reschedule! He is 100% behind me on this and will be there for surgery, etc. Any insights and experiences you can share will be appreciated!

Just wondering if any NYU patients who have Cigna PPO have had this happen - I went to the information session in Feb 08 - began my 6 month med. supervised weight loss program in April 08, had psych exam and nutritional assesment , completed my 6 months med supervised weight loss, submitted dr.'s note. and two years of medical history. I have a 41 bmi and 2 co-morbidities. Now NYU is saying I need letters from the dr.s from 07 and 06 saying that they recommended lapband. I didn't even know about lapband until late 07. Has anyone had this happen? Because I don't have these letters I can't get appt with the surgeon - Dr. Ren. Any thoughts?

Just wondering if any NYU patients who have Cigna PPO have had this happen - I went to the information session in Feb 08 - began my 6 month med. supervised weight loss program in April 08, had psych exam and nutritional assesment , completed my 6 months med supervised weight loss, submitted dr.'s note. and two years of medical history. I have a 41 bmi and 2 co-morbidities. Now NYU is saying I need letters from the dr.s from 07 and 06 saying that they recommended lapband. I didn't even know about lapband until late 07. Has anyone had this happen? Because I don't have these letters I can't get appt with the surgeon - Dr. Ren. Any thoughts?

Wow, I think, I am getting closer to realizing the dream of having a lapband! I began exploring this process a year ago, and when I found out that I would have to go through a 6 month medically supervised weight loss program, I sort of fizzled out...for about 6 months. Finally, when I should have been completing my 6 month program, I began it, and now... yes, now, 20 lbs lighter, but still morbidly obese, I am wrapping up month 5 and have made the next required step with my program ( NYU) I've scheduled the required appt with the psychologist! Woo hoo. This appointment won't be until 9/5, but it is on the calendar and will be here before you know it! After the phychologist, then I am required to meet for a $325 nutrional assement, and finally after that, it will be time to make an appointment with the surgeon! Hoping upon all hopes that surgery will take place by Thanksgiving. I so want to start 2009 on my way to being healthy.. Is there anyone else out there at about this point? Is there anyone else out there planning on surgery at NYU this fall? Let me know! I am excited and ready for this wonderful opportunity to get healthy and hopefully thin!

I had planned to do surgery in NJ, until I noticed that my insurance indicates that NYU Bariatric is 'Certified" and if I qualify I put no $ out at all - a huge decision maker for me. I attended the info session last week, and have to complete my 6 month documented weight loss program. Just wondering if any one has experience with the NYU team and if you can share any information? Tks!

Well, I started my 6 month Dr. supervised weight loss program a month ago - - went in for weigh in and lost 12 pounds. Dr. is happy and says this is just what the insurance co wants to see - he is not worried that I will lose too much to be approved. My BMI was 42 - -now, it obviously is less - - I am worried if I go below 40 I won't be approved.

Thanks for your reply! I noticed you are in NY. Where are you having surgery -- I am planning on NYU..

I am in the early stages of my 6 month medically supervised diet and have been reading the boards - I see many of you refer to such - I can only imagine it is related to vomitting - am I right? What causes it? Type of food or quantity?

Thanks for your reply and congratulations on your amazing weight loss. I noticed you were denied from your insurance , and it looks like you switched carriers - what were some of the hurdles you faced insurance wise? Did NYU help you navigate through them?

I feel great that I finally found a dr. and had an appointment to begin the 6 month monitored weight loss program with a dr. It took me six months to get to it and find someone, as my first 'informational session ' was in September. Anyway, I have a bmi of 44 and have about 120/140 lbs to loose. I was quite suprised that the Dr. prescribed Merdia . Wondering if anyone else has been on Merdia and wondering if you lost weight. I am all for losing weight, but hoping to NOT go below 40 bmi. experiences? comments? I appreciate all!

Thanks for your reply. Where do you intend to have the surgery? What is your insurance? It is odd having six months to prepare, and even more ironic to not want to lose more than a certain amount for fear of not being approved by the insurance company.

Thanks for your reply. It is good to hear about Meridia - I was just so surprised that a Dr. prescribed any drug - - never in my 45 years has one offered to do such - 20 lbs in a year - - slow and steady I guess- - however, it would be great to lose 20-25 lbs before surgery - - can't lose more, or my bmi will fall below the level that my insurance company wants it to be for the surgery. I notice your bmi was lower than 40 - did your insurance company give you a hard time? Tks again for the note.