soon2bhotmomma

I am in too but I am getting banded tomorrow, but I need to have all the support and ways to keep me on track that I can. I wanted to loose 30 by Jan 9th that is when my family gets together for Christmas so another whole month later we'll say maybe 45. Maybe high but I would rather shoot for high and take what happens in the end it gives me a goal to reach and challenge myself.:ohmy:

yes I am on the 25th and cannot wait, I am so sick of the liquids phase and feeling hungry after an hour. I also started my period yeah.

Hey all, I just started my 10 day liquid diet on Sunday which was the worst day for me, today was not too bad till about 3:30 when I got home I was starving. I have 8 more days till surgery and cannot wait, I am so anxious.

Yes I have watched several of them. Especailly with my spouse. I wanted to prepare him for what was coming. they are pretty graphic. Elizabeth

Hey Ladies, I just wanted to add my journey to this long list. I started out in Aug. 2007 with my Doc and my husbands insurance carrier denied me in May of 2008 I was devestated. Now I have my own insurance and was approved Oct. 6 and have restarted my Journey in Aug.of this year. I have a surgery date of Nov. 25th and history and physical with my doc on Nov. 12 and then get to start a 10 day liquid diet to shrink my liver. I am so excited I cannot wait till its done and I get to start my new banded life. Elizabeth C

I've never heard of that one. I'll have to check that one out. I am always looking for new reciepes. thanks, Elizabeth C.

I really like that one, but here's another one, Eating Well After Weightloss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray Before and After by Susan Maria Leach is an autobiography as well as a cookbook. Very informative. I did a lot of research for surgery.

Hey Ladies, I was recently submitted to Cigna for Lapband Last week. I live in Vermont. How do I get a hold of someone to find out if I am approved, I hear you all talking about talking to someone at Cigna and your approved but how do you get there, do you call the 1-800# on the back of your card? Part of me is dying to call them and the other part of me is like if I am approved I am and if the deny me they deny me. Elizabeth

Congrats, Girl! I am waiting for Cigna as well. I was Submitted Last Wednesday or so my surgeons office said to me that day they were going to submit me. It could have ended up being Friday. You know Drs. I know someone who Cigna took 30 days. I am hoping mine is as short as yours. I live in Vermont and I know it all depends upon your State and Your policy and your employer. God willing I do not run into any problems. Elizabeth

Abby, as with anything in life there are pros and cons. I have been overweight my whole life as far back as I can remember, and it took me two years of research to make the decision, to no longer be obese and do this for myself and for my children. I did not want to die of a heart attack and leave my husband with two young children, so really what is the worst, fighting for thin and at least trying and making an attempt or not trying and nowing that you could have less than 10 years with your family. And to be honest the gastric bypass, has a lot of complications in the research I have found, lap band does not have nearly as many complications. So my advice is google and compare with either a surgery clinic in your area the two surgeries or sit down and talk with a surgeon they are your best resource. Good Luck and I hope that I have helped. It is a very scarry decision to make. But one that you will be glad you made once it is all said and done. Best wishes elizabeth C.

the 5 hours of pain sounds a lot like gas pains too. you should not experience a full painful feeling for that long.

no you cannot and every clinic is different so I am learning. At my clinic I go to my dietician said 300-500 is probly where we would be starting out. However it sounds like your in the full liquid phase, so usually they are not too worried about caloric intake that much. Just that your getting it into your body. Have you tried, Soups and Jello? Something with a little more density? Best Wishes Elizabeth C.

Jana, welcome to the Vermonter Board. And Welcome to vermont. Where are you going to be moving to? There are support groups depending upon where you live. Elizabeth C.

Leese, All I can say about your subsequent visits is show that your trying, and they will be happy at least Ellen will be, if that is who checks in with you. I've actually been told to slow down and ended up jepordizing myself, so now I have to get back into that frame of mind where I was when I was loosing so well. I feel like they jinxed me by telling me to slow down. However I also don't want to take the chance of not getting approved by Cigna either. Elizabeth Clouatre

Cyndi, That is all we can do is one day at a time. That's all I do. Life is too short to get all stressed out. If I can be of any help or support I would be happy to help. I have not had the surgery yet, hopfully by June, I have about 2-3 more months of the 6 month diet Cigna requires. Babbs, my husband works on the presses in as a roll tender. He's been there over 12 yrs. I have lost 20 lbs since meeting with Dr. Forgione, and 50 total since June last year. Elizabeth Clouatre

no its not considered physician covered diet. It says it in the Cigna guidlines, they do not considered it as a phys. directed diet. You need to be seen by you pcp or a dietician. I hope this helps. Elizabeth

Cyndi, I feel like I know you, you've said your a new teacher and you live in Northern Vermont. Did you recently graduate from Johnson State College? I bet we've taken a few classes together, did you work at Bakersfield Elementary? I think the quality of insurance coverage varies from company to company, like you said. Lane press whom my husband works for employs over 1000 people, so their coverage maybe alot different than someone who employs say 20 people. But non the less I hate them they are expensive and coverage is sucky for what we end up paying out of pocket. Better than having to pay 100% I guess. Good Luck and keep up the chin, I know what you mean about the never ending weight loss. I go for the nut. class on 2/6, I have a sleep study on 2/25 and after that I am not sure what is in store for me. Elizabeth

I have not gotten banded yet, but so far Cigna has paid all but my copays. As long as I do what they require of me, 6 month phys. diet they will cover the surgery as long as they see as a medical necessity, which from what my primary doc says it is a medical necessity, and she told me what doc. Forgione wrote to Cigna he can talk it up pretty good too. So don't worry too much. Elizabeth

If you don't mind me asking Dozy why did you get your band removed? Elizabeth

There is one Here!! I know what you mean I lurk here for fellow Vermonters there are some here on other boards. How is everything going? Elizabeth

Thanks Cyndi for the heads up, another woman I've talked to who has dr. forgione Cigna paid all but $100. So who knows? I have Cigna through my husband as well. He works for Lane Press, and I've talked to the HR people who have talked to their Cigna contacts and they say its covered, and so far I've only had to pay my copays. But I do like Dr. Forgione....I live in Saint Albans Cyndi Where are you? If we can meet up and if it would help you to get to the meetings I would be happy to commute. Elizabeth:smile:

I have not heard of PDA software for exercise and nutrition. However Calorie King have software for your computer, they also have a book/s for such a thing. I have not purchased it. I have done the trial offer, not too impressed life is too hectic in my household for electronics. Unless I had a PDA, I have to write everything down and keep it with me, in order to keep track of every morsel. Elizabeth

Yeah that sounds fantastic a friend of mine and I were planning on going to that one. i work in Winooski and she runs an in home daycare here in northern vermont so we were going to meet up at the hospital as well. I was going to have my hubby drop me off. Hope to see you there. Elizabeth

Well, I will be the first to say I am from Vermont. I live in Northern Vermont, Almost near Canada. Elizabeth

Hello fellow Vermonters, I am from Northern Vermont, and hoping to have Dr. Forgione do Lap Band surgery on me in April or June, it all depends upon my insurnace company. I have Cigna and they want me to do a 6 mth physican followed diet/exercise plan. Elizabeth