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I don't have a date yet, but I know it will be in July, so count me in! I will also try to make some kind of tag. We'll see how it goes.

I'm thinking... wear some heavy clothes and all the jewlery you own, don't use the restroom until after you weigh, eat a big meal just before (the opposite of all the things I do when I am trying to weigh less). I can totally understand why you would consider gaining the weight to qualify, but I would just hate for you to do that. Talk to the doctor's office. Be frank. Maybe they will have some suggestions. Either way...good luck!

My surgeon requires all his patients to undergo a 6 mo. diet to show that they are willing to comply with his directions. Basically he has no requirement for how much weight you should lose, but he doesn't want you to gain weight during that time. I would not have done well losing 10% of my weight (which would also be 28 pounds). Today was my last weigh-in, and I only lost a total of 8 pounds, so you are way ahead of me. Good luck!

I should be a July Bandster, too. I had my preop appointment today. My information will be sent to insurance as soon as it gets back from transcription. I have UHC John Deere Select, and the insurance coordinator said that their approval time is anywhere from 10 minutes (she seriously said that) to three days. My surgeon is already booked until July 6 though, so I will be sometime shortly thereafter. I will be SOOOO flippin' excited when I get official approval and an exact date!:grouphug:

Okay...ticker was successful. Also, I have another name suggestion. What about Firecrackers? There is another thread dedicated to finding a name, so if you like it, you might want to post there too. Whatever is decided works for me. I just want a name and a firm surgery date! :grouphug:

There is another thread on which July Jewels is popular. I thought I was being original when I suggested it, but then I came across this thread and realized it had already been suggested. :grouphug: Either is okay with me. I just always think of the movie when I hear Freedom Fighters. That's just the teacher in me though. Oh, I just thought of something...what about The Firecrackers? It's a spin off from Freedom Fighters but not so literal. Just throwing that out there.

If I were not totally sure the band is what I want, I would not be having surgery. To me, it is too drastic to do as anything but a last resort. For me (and I am much heavier than you) it is an issue of being a healthier person, not being a better looking one (not that I will mind that though).:grouphug: With that being said, if you excercise while you lose weight, that should help with the loose skin. However, the problem is still a possibility. As for the calves, I too have very muscular calves as I am short, therefore on my toes quite often. Also, I was a cheerleader for many years and built up lots of muscle in my calves and thighs both. Five years ago, I lost 100 pounds and the only part that suffered was my top inner thighs. No matter how solid you think (as I thought) your legs are, they will lose inches of fat, too. Good luck on your journey! I hope it will be all you want/expect/need.

Well, it looks as though I'll be in the July group. I had my preop consult today. As soon as the transcription comes back, my records will be sent to insurance. The lady who does these says my inusrance is really quick. Approval should take from 10 min (I'm serious...she said sometimes they are that quick) to three days. As of now though, my surgeon is backed up to July 6. So, it looks as though I'll definitely be a July bandster! Fill me in when a name is decided upon! P.S. I'll be trying the ticker thing now, so if it doesn't work, repost and I'll share my experience (that is if I am successful:wink2:)

Thanks for the picture; however, your tummy doesn't look bad to me. However, if I was 131 I would want to be able to sport a bikini or whatever else I wanted! I say go for it. You look great, and I'm sure you'll feel even hotter when you are "all fixed up." Congratulations on a job well done!

You look GREAT! Have you had to have any plastic surgery? I noticed your tummy looks really flat, and your arms look especially great. If you haven't had work done, I'm not sure I like you! (just kidding, of course...some people take my sense of humor too literally) Seriously, you look awesome! Way to go, girl!

Okay...nevermind....now I see that was suggested on the other thread.:thumbup:

I still don't have a date, so I may be either June or July, but I have a suggestion. What about July Jewels?

Some doctors charge what they call a "program fee" that is NOT covered by insurance. Basically, it is their way to get more money. They will probably tell you it pays for informational materials, seminars, etc. That is bull hockey. It is extra money in their pockets. The first surgeon I had an appointment with had a $500 program fee, so I cancelled that appointment. I have heard of them charing much more, like your $3000. I would definitely NOT pay that. Look for another surgeon; that's my advice.

At work several weeks ago we were eating lunch and discussing our weights. Well, my best friend said something about being "so fat", and I told her, "Well, at least you're just overweight." Another girl said, "I can't believe you said that to her!" I explained that since I am morbidly obese, it was meant as a compliment. (My friend knew what I meant and took it as the compliment it was intended to be.) Anyway....congrats! I can't wait to be overweight!

I just told a friend of mine the other day that my secret goal is to be small enough that someone calls me a skinny bitch!:blushing:

Well, it may depend on your surgeon, but I can tell you what mine does. I will have "jumped through all the hoops" on Monday. As soon as that appt. is transcribed, my records will be sent off to insurance. My surgeon won't put me on the calendar until he gets the final ok from my ins. I'm also trying to work quickly as I am a teacher, and I don't want to still be on liquids when we go back to school the first week of August.

I had never imagined being charged for that. Wow! I have had the same doctor since I was a kid, and he is the doctor for my whole family. I suppose I got my letter and records in exchange for years of family loyalty...lol! Actually, my doctor didn't even write my letter. The office manager wrote it, and he signed it. She has known me since I was a highschool cheerleader with her daughter. (Yes, I was the "fat cheerleader", but I was a good one...captain even.) She did as well as he would have anyway.

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who has experienced the untanned top of the legs. I am still waiting to be banded, and I can't wait to have fully tanned legs, too.:blushing:

Geeze! I must have gotten off really easy. All I did was talk to the Dr. for like 20 minutes. He asked questions like, "Are you aware of the risks of this surgery?" I said yes, and he didn't even ask me to explain them or anything. He also asked about my family history, whether I had the support of my husband, etc. Really there wasn't much to it. I feel for those of you who have been given the third degree. That test sounds like enough to make one crazy!

I teach over an hour away from where my preop meeting was, and it started at 4:30. As you can imagine, we were running late. Well, after than meeting, I decided to make the most of my drive and stay for the post op seminar too. Well, I hadn't had lunch since 11:25 (when my kiddies eat), so by the time the meeting was over, I was starving. Apparently my husband has ESP because while the lady was talking about making good food choices, etc., hubby passed me a note saying, "Where are we gonna eat when this is over?" It struck me very funny and I died laughing! Inappropriate laughter is always the best!

I just had to have a referral from my PCP before visiting the surgeon. It's crazy how different all the requirements are. It sounds as though you are well on your way, so congrats to you! Good luck!

With UHC it really depends on which type you have. I have John Deere Select, and I thought my 6mo. diet would have to be with my PCP, but I was able to do it with my surgeon. I haven't had my last weigh-in (it's Monday) so I don't have an approval yet. My advice would be to talk to your surgeon. If he or she is experience, the office staff will probably know the particulars of your exact type of insurance.

I voted for Elijah Samuel, but I am biased. My newest nephew is Eli James, and he is SO precious! (They didn't go with Elijah because my sister-in-law's mom couldn't pronounce it....lol) Also, since I am a teacher, names are hard for me to think about objectively.

My surgeon requires the letter from the PCP regardless of the insurance requirements. I have a very conservative PCP, but he was glad to write the letter (actually the office manager wrote it and he signed it). They have done it before, and they knew what needed to be included. I didn't have to tell them what to write.