BarbaraC

Cher Can you let us know when we can start making our reservations at the hotel. Tried tonight but the clerk did not know anything about it. Thanks so much.

I put down that I would go but if it is in Livingston NJ. I would have to say maybe. It is too far from NYC and Public transportation. I already had a accident on the turnpike and I prefer not to drive. I understand that booking a conference in March may be hard. Most hotels near or in the city are already booked.

I am very interested in going to the conference. I live in Maryland and travel to NYC several times a year as my daughter lives there. If fact, I plan trips for my friends to go to NYC a couple times a year but our group is usually under 10 people each time. As for hotels in NJ there are a lot of hotels in the Secaucus - Meadowlands area. There is also a bus that will take one into NYC stops in front of the hotels area of Secaucus. I have stayed at the Hampton Inn and the Extended Stay hotels in that area. Only problem this area books up fast. There is also a hotel in NYC - Park Central that runs about $200-250 a night. It is close to Carnegie Hall. Hope this helps. BarbaraC :thumbup:

I too have been up and down 10-15 pounds the last 6 months. Wish I could meet with you guys this weekend but I will be out of town. My husband will have surgery on Tuesday so I will have to be close to home for a while. Let me know he next time you get together. :whoo: Barbara

Hey gang, I would love to come if I am in town. We will be out from 8-10 to 8-22. Leona and I are going to Atlanta. She is going to try to audition for American Idol! So keep her in your prayers. BTW I have not lost too much since I saw you guys last but Leona should be under 200 in a few days. I am very proud of her. Anyway, hope to see you soon. Barbara :clap2::clap2:

I had my surgery last June and I am down 60#. Could be more if I stuck to all the rules. I do eat a lot less and am happy with my loss. I did try to get an appt Dr. Schweitzer at Hopkins but he is so busy. I waited 2 months for my appt and the week of my appt they called and cancelled. So I went to a seminar with Dr. Singh at St. Agnes Hospital. He is a funny man that will tell you the truth. I have no regets. It really does not matter which of the 3 does your surgery. They are all good. Just do it.

I do not know about those doctors but I have also have Aetna HMO Open choice. Mine is with the Federal Gov't. My doctor, Dr. Singh takes Aetna HMO. So I think you may have more choices.

I am still around too. Just wanted to say hello to everyone.:girl_hug: Connie: So glad that you are well. I wanted you to know that I do use Mary Kay but I hope you have a great party. :clap2: Kathy: My daugher and I were both banded at St Agnes by Dr Singh. We both were very sore for a couple of weeks. It will get better.

:help: Teresita, your test link is not working for me.

Congratulations on your new band. As far as your hunger, everyone is different. Most people do get it back and need a fill or 2 or 3. I have had 3 and am 2.5 in a 4 cc band and hope this restriction lasts.

I can meet on Feburary 18. An idea's for a place? :biggrin1:

:rose: Hello, I am home, just got home from work. Well, when I stated this I did! Got distracted by the hubby. So when are we meeting again?

I am also with the Fed Govt and now have Aetna Open Choice (2007). I started out with Kaiser and tried for several years to have the surgery. I went through the 6 month of classes then made the decision to change to GEHA (2006). I found this company very good to work with but they are expense. I had to pay 15% of my hospital bill and 50% for all non generic prescriptions. So this year I changed to Aetna. Come time for open season, do your research because each year the rules change. During the open season for 2006, I emailed the companies to see who covers the lapband and found MDIPA and GEHA. I did like Kaiser and would like to go back so this open season I called them to see if they would cover my follow-up care and any problems that I may encounter in the future and I was told NO. If I were you, I would also try to get tested for sleep apnea. Since this is so early in the year, go through the whole program just like you are going to get GBP to get all the testing out of the way, then come next year all you have to do is get approved. It took me until June to have surgery, because of all the testing I had to do after changing insurance companies.

From both Leona and myself. :girl_hug: I am so happy for you. I know what it like to want to get pregnant and having problems. Now take care of yourself and enjoy the next 9 months, you will be busy for the next 18 or so years. Barbara:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Yes, I am seeing a doctor, I have a stress fracture/heal spur. In fact I had a shot of cortisone the week before Christmas but it has not worked. I was also told that I may have to have surgery but I am hoping that I can get some of this weight off and that may help. :help: :help:

I went to the gym yesterday did the circuit 2x and then walked for 15 minutes. Trying to do some but still trying to get over this d### foot problem. I will go back tomorrow and do it again.

I used to have Kaiser but in Maryland. I changed during the open season because they would not cover Lapband. I did read somewhere that that Kaiser in CA is coveringit? You should call the customer relations and see it they will cover it for her. If not, try to change to one that will if possible. I know that Medicare will cover it if the centers are a "Center of Excellance". Good Luck Barbara

I too wish everyone a very happy new year and a new you!

Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah Happy Kwanzaa Happy Holidays Copied from OH but I loved it so much I wanted to share. :girl_hug:

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Well I am offically 279. Finally out of the 280's. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: He did not think that I needed a fill since I am losing even though it is slow. I go back to see him in 3 month or sooner if the weight loss stops. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Oh and I also joined that gym (Fizziques) I was talking about on Sunday. It is only $24.95 a month or $200.00 for the year. No start up fees. They are opened 24/7 365 days a year but the owner is not always there. You get a key fob that unlocks the door and you just go in and exercise!

We will have a meeting around the 3rd Sunday in January. It will be announced on this board with the details. Each month we meet at different places. All are welcome. Hope this helps.

Glad to see everyone again. Happy Holdays:D

I posted about not being able to come to this meeting but can not find where I did it. Anyway, I was in NYC with my daughter. Leona is now home for thanksgiving and would like to get together with you guys this Sunday somewhere? If anyone is interested please let us know. Barbara

I do not know about UHC. I am a federal employee in MD and what I did was to call or email (preferred for a copy of their reply) each plan to see if they would cover the band and what requirements they had. I know GEHA covers but has a high co pay. I went with GEHA and it cost me a lot out of pocket. I am changing to an HMO this yeat and here in MD MDIDP is an UHC company and have heard great things from other that have this plan. I hope this helps. You can also do some searched on Lapbandtalk for federal ins plans and see what pops up. Good Luck BarbaraC