1SkinnyChick

I was pretty lost, as well. I did a search on "lists" in the forum and foind a lot of info about the things you mentioned above. I was not told of many of these things, either, and my only appointment left before surgery is for a chest x-ray. I am now searching the boards every day for anything else anyone suggests. So far, I have: sippy cups - to prevent gulping water toddler silverware - portion control toddler dishes - helpful with travelling with mushy foods. gas-x strips - apparently during surgery we're pumped with air and the gas can be painful. chewable vitamins - swallowing pills is discouraged liquid pain reliever magic bullet - or other smaller blender for liquids only stage food processor - for pureeing, apparently blenders liquify too much protein drinks - to ensure enough protein, protein helps heal protein bullets- shots of protein costco? baby food - jury's still out, i'd rather puree my own calcium chews shot glass - for measuring, this is 1 ounce heating pad - comfort for chest/gas pains wedge pillow - some have trouble laying flat stomach binder - no idea what or why ice trays - to freeze puree, portion control miralax - for constipation, to make it easier to GO campbells cheese soup - cause i looooove cheese Did we ever start our December Group?

I have Dr. Elli. I met Dr. Meyers, though, and my friend was banded by him. He is great. Very patient. Skilled. I haven't had to pay a thing, either, and I know BCBS-IL was horrible about approving before, but the process is so easy now. I highly encourage anyone who was scared off before to try again now. Day One's staff should also be commended for their hard work and thoroughness. That goes a long way in approval as well. I have had several visits, and as you said I only had to pay co-pay. 20.00 for Surgeon Consult 20.00 for Psysch Eval and I'm sure another 20.00 for pre-op testing. I even saw the dietician there at no cost to me. They bill the insurance. If BCBS-IL pays, great, if not, Day One will not charge me. I think they have a great program. 3 visits and BOOM. approved.

My approval was easy breezy. I agree with someone above who said it was lilely the surgeon's office error. BCBS-IL has changed their guidelines and it is a pretty easy process. I was approved in less than two weeks after my paperwork was submitted.

My doctor has said I should, emphasis on should take off work an entire week.... I really don't want to. I work an office job, no lifting or anything. I can get pretty comfy at my desk. How soon is too soon to return to work?

I was YAYing too much. My new date is December 9th. I was really hoping for the 7th. I'd gotten all prepared. I'm a little bummed. I know it's only 2 days, but still....

It works!!! Congrats on the 7 lbs!:w00t:

Yay Us!!! - I say that a lot, but I'm SO excited. I have to doa 14 day liquid diet. Not lookng forward to that at all since I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year. But, we do what we must! I work a desk job as well, Doc says a week, his nurse says 3 days, wth lots of walking. I'll see how I feel on day 3.

Goodness Gracious GREAT BALLS OF FIRE! I do NOT reccomend anyone view the lap-band surgery on you tube. I have a pretty strong stomach, large too, heh heh, but boy am i queasy. Whew! I had to stop mid-video. Maybe I'll watch after the surgery. Anywho, how long are you all taking off from work? I posted a thread a few days ago and have gotten very mixed reviews, some back at work less than a week, some out much longer and glad they waited. So, what are your plans?

We're getting CLOSER!!!! Do you have to do the pre-op liquid diet? I'm trying to punp myself up for it. notworkingsomuchhowever! :tt2:

In my experience, there truly is a dress-code between weight levels. I guess it goes with something else I've experienced, invisibleness. I was approached by a manager from another dept notifying me one of my staff was inappropriately dressed, showing too much cleavage and she also had a slit in the back of her blouse. I went to view the shirt and damned if another staff member sitting with her didnt have on the exact same shirt, different color, but she was heavier. I had the other manager come over and point out who she was speaking of, she pointed out the thinner woman. I pretended to act as if she'd pointer out the larger woman and asked her over and addressed her. The other manager of course said I didn't mean her. I said I know. I was very bothered. It was clearly jealousy and she was not bothered at all by the plus-sized woman.

This may be weird, but hey, I'm gonna throw this out there anyway. I have really soft, pliable, movable, stuffable fat, so I look decent in clothes. Lots of people tell me they don't believe I weigh 256 pounds and I'm only 5'4". Again, it's because I wear tight clothes and position my fat well. I am considering taking nude before pics so I can really see the difference. Has anyone else done this? Or bathing suit befores?:smile2:

I was told a one-a-day vitamin, but a chewable one, since I wuld not be able to swallow a pill after surgery.

The 3month supervised diet is TRUE!!! Thank goodness. I attempted to go through the banding process 2 years ago with bcbs-il, hmo, near impossible. I then switched to PPO and was told to supply very extensive medical/weight history, which I could not do. I got very discouraged and gave up any hopes of being banded until I re-visited the board on a whim and heard about the 3 month supervised diet. I went to Day One Health, and on my first appt 8/3/09 met with the dietician who then scheduled me for two more appt 9/3 and 10/3 with her and the rest is history. Approved 2 1/2 weeks later, pre-op testing 11/23, banding 12/7. Yay!!!:smile2:

:smile2: How exciting!!! I go for pre-op testing November 23rd, same day as I start the 2-week liquid diet. Bummer since Thanksgiving is that week and I'm hosting! But, this will be the first holiday in a whole line of others in my new life. Surgery scheduled for December 7th. I absolutely can not wait. Congratulations December Bandsters. Wishing you all a breezy banding and speedy recovery.