msjessy

I'll keep you in my prayers as well. I'll be sending lots of baby dust your way to keep that baby healthy and growing!! And Congratulations!!!!

Hi. I'm not banded yet, but I weighed in at 250 when I was pregnant with my daughter. I didn't really show--rather it wasn't obvious that I was pregnant-- until I was about 5-6 months along. Most of my weight is around my waist so that definitely contributed to it. Even if its not noticeable to everyone else, you'll feel the difference in your growing belly. It feels harder than usual and may take a different shape. My stomach did, where my belly expanded and my sides looked less rolly, lol. Enjoy your pregnancy! Congratulations!

Thanks Candle. I actually just called the Cardio's office and the receptionist told me that it usually takes about a week to get the results back from an ECHO (and I just had mine this past Saturday) and then the doc will write up the clearance once they actually review the results. I just pray that they stick to that timeline and have it submitted by the end of next week. That is the ONLY thing holding it up before going to Dr. Geiss for the sign-off. And I agree...Dr. Geiss' staff is extremely helpful, but also very very busy.

First I'd like to say MANY MANY thanks to all that have helped me with the questions that I have about this process. I have one more, and I'm sure that more will soon follow. All of the requirements are complete, but since I just did my ECHO on Saturday I suspect that it'll be a few days (hopefully no longer than that!) before the clearance is sent. For those that went thru Dr. Geiss, how do I know when my file is ready to head off for Insurance Approval? Will they call me to let me know, or just send it once they receive everything and Dr. Geiss signs off? I guess I might be better off not knowing when it gets sent so that the suspense won't LITERALLY kill me. Yeah, maybe that would be better, so that one day as I'm walking back from the mailbox I can open up to see a nice Approval letter and scream (and have my neighbors think I'm absolutely crazy!!) :wink_smile: :biggrin:

I forgive myself for letting me get this big. I have come to accept that I want and need a change in my life, so I forgive my "fat little girl" inside and am happy that I decided to go thru with this.

So last night I just decided that I was going to go to her house and hope that she was there. While she was not there when I arrived her darling mother was, who saw me parked in my car across the street and came out of her house to welcome me in. We chit-chatted and then my friend came home. She was surprised to see me there, especially since I did not call ahead, but she seamed happy. I didn't really question why she never returned my phone calls. I kind of dismissed it and said, Oh I wanted to see you because we've been playing phone-tag for a few weeks. But all is well. We ended up talking for 3 hours or so. She's two months out and has lost 40+ pounds. She looks amazing. We are so excited for each other.

My surgeon required attendance to his seminar. It was rather informative, and there was a woman who spoke of her personal experience and it brought many people in the room to tears, myself included. I don't know of anyone who has had WLS so it was good to see. Attending seminars are usually free, and for me it was so helpful. The Bariatric office I am going thru has 2 surgeons, and I could see the differences in personality and it helped me choose the one who best suited my needs.

I was actually wondering about this too. I LOVE LOVE spicy food. The hotter the better, but I'll always have something to drink, or bread, by me for those times that its just too hot. I wonder what I'll do in those situations...? I received a newsletter from the Bariatric group where one person suggested "cutting a thin slice of apple and putting it on your tongue" so you aren't so tempted to drink after your meal. I've been trying not to drink while eating and waiting the 30 minutes after, but man, that's tough! I guess its better to try to break those habits now, before the band than after.

I read that this morning and feared that I would feel the same way. Only time will tell...

I'm not banded yet, but I usually weigh myself once a week. There are days that I weigh myself several times, or weigh myself 3 days in a row. I tend to forget about the scale so its usually once a week for me, or every other week. I'd rather see the change in dress sizes anyway. Once I see that I can get into a smaller size then I'll weigh myself to see the difference.

$8??!!!! I want to go to your movie theater. Around here its past $10 for a movie ticket!

I told my Mother, Sisters (2) and my Boyfriend. My mother is very supportive because her former boss also had the surgery so she understands that this is not the easy way out, and she's glad that I am taking steps to make me healthier for my little girl. My sisters are so/so. One made a comment to my mom, "Great, now I'm going to be the fat one in the family". That hurt my feelings, but she has always been thin, and only recently gained weight, so I can understand (although I don't agree) with what she said. I was NOT planning on telling my boyfriend, but he LITERALLY thought I was going to die since I was going to so many doctor's appts in such a short span of time. He asked my sisters and my mom if I was going to die several times. So I had to break down and tell him. All of my other family members are too young or live far away for me to mention it right now. I dont think my father will be supportive, but I know he'll be happy when I can finally go running with him!! My job is Home-based so I don't have to worry about making excuses for the time off. That's what my PTO is for. I'm still not sure what I'll tell my co-workers when the weight starts to come off. We have formal get-togethers once a month, and any weight loss will NOT go unnoticed. Guess I'll just cross that bridge later.

So I just tried to schedule the appt with my PCP for clearance and the receptionist told me that I had to wait until I got a surgery date!! I thought after all my testing that the results would just go to my PCP, she'd review them and would clear me. Now they say that I have to wait until I have a surgery date and then call the PCP to schedule MORE bloodwork before they can clear me. I've already had bloodwork, and with the battery of tests I'm doing wouldn't that be enough? Is this right? Do I have to wait to have a surgery date to get cleared from my PCP? BTW-I tried calling Dr. Geiss' office just now but they are closed for lunch. I thought I would post here hoping to get a reply soon! :sad:

Sooo.....how was it? :sad:

Hi Everyone. I am going thru all of the insurance/surgeon's requirements, and would like to include a letter to the insurance company telling them why I *NEED* this surgery. My BMI is 47 and I have no co-morbities, but I would like to write a letter to illustrate other problems I've had that they do not consider co-morbidities (Amerihealth Insurance). The letter is not necessary, but I would like to think that maybe a personal touch would get me the approval I am hoping for. So have you written a letter? Do you have a copy or website that I could reference? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Advance. ~Jessenia

I'm hoping to. Still no answer, and I've sent 2 emails, and have probably called 1x or 2x a week since then. My sister, who is also friends with my BF's sister, asked her how she was doing, and even the sister ignored her and didn't answer. I just want my friend back!!

Thanks so much for sharing! I'm glad you are doing well. And I LOVE the princess balloon. I'll have to make sure I note that on my BF's instructions!!!!

WOW. How did you get your surgery date so quickly from the consultation? I had my consulation on May 2nd and I'm going thru almost all of the appts in one month. Even with that they told me there is already a 6 week wait from when I get my insurance approval. So that will put me into July/August. Are you going thru insurance or self-pay? Which reminds me...I'm going to have to give them a call to make sure they received my clearances thus far.....

I had the Barium swallow, and while the technician told me to drink a lot of Water or else I'd get constipated, I was SOOO not prepared for white poop. It was the strangest thing I had ever seen!! It was coming out like that for about 2-3 days!

One more day!!! You must be so excited!

Mine are all outlined in my ticker. Tedious, but well worth it. Especially to know they are requirements from my surgeon, not my insurance. I've got one of the best surgeons around, or that's what I hear about Dr. Geiss. I would probably ask your insurance what they are specifically looking for. Or talk to the person who handles the insurance at your surgeons office. They might be better able to tell you what you need. Good Luck! I hope you get to stick to your original date!

I hear that! Here's to hoping you come out with a new car! My parents are both hispanic and are in their 40-50s and don't look a day over 35. I'm also hoping I inherited their 'skin' genes, my dad more than my mom bc he lost 40-60 pounds and doesn't have any loose skin.

I guess I've had a similar (or opposite) situation, depending on how you look at it. My best friend is also overweight. She quietly went thru all of the testing and surgery without saying anything to me. She didn't say anything about the surgery until a week after it was done, and that was ONLY because I told her that I was thinking of having it done and started telling her about the seminar I went to, and the Dr that I was using. She really only jumped out and said something bc it is the same doctor/facility we are using. So while I wish I could have been there for her, she didn't allow me to be. Now that I am going thru this journey I could really use her support (especially since she knows EXACTLY what to expect) but she no longer will return my phone calls or emails! And she's changed her work schedule so I no longer know when she is home. (And stalking her just doesn't fit into my busy schedule :cry_smile:) She lost 15 pounds in the first week after surgery (the last week of February), and that was the last time I talked to her. We've been friends for almost 10 years.

I think so. The paperwork I received from the consulation included a booklet on the Realize (J&J) band. I don't recall seeing anything about moving thru the food stages quicker. I didn't know that had anything to do with the band, though. I thought the food stages were so that your new stomach can heal properly, and so that you can get used to the amount of food it takes for you to feel full.

And I thought I was the only one. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me!