lbevilacqua

I finally got approved for my surgery and was wondering if anyone else is having surgery the same day? I am having it done by Dr Giovanni. Maybe we can support each other thru it? Get in touch if you are interested.... Lisa

UGH! I had a horrible night. I couldn't get home fast enough to eat! I had grilled fish and vegetables, but I made about 7 oz of fish and not the 3 oz I was supposed to have. I didn't feel too guilty because at least it was good food and not chocolate, although I was not supposed to have it at all. Well, then it gets worse. I grabbed a handful of thin sliced fat free deli ham from the fridge and then 3 slices of American cheese. I feel horribly guilty now and am punishing myself by not having my last shake tonight. I don't know how long it is going to take to get used to not eating all day, but it is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I am petrified about the 4th! UGH!

I am surprised too. For my insurance, it took me over a year to finally get approved. My surgeon requires attendance at a 3-hour in depth seminar before you can even make an appointment with them. Once you get in the office, they give you a booklet to read and a huge checklist of all the criteria you have to follow such as a physch eval, nutritionist visit, 3 month supervised diet and exercise program, sleep study, cardiologist and stress tech, upper endoscopy and more. It takes at least 3 months to get all the appointments and the reports in before they can schedule the surgery. I have never heard of any surgeon scheduling the surgery before any of this has been done. But, good luck to you anyway! My surgery journey started in February last year and I have finally been approved. I am having surgery on 7/11. And, by the way, you have to be on a pre-op diet for 2 weeks prior to the surgery, so if you are planning surgery in July, you need to get some information from the surgeon. Lisa

Each insurance compnay has there own set of criteria you have to meet. If you go see a qualified Lap Band Surgeon, they will be aware of what you need to do to get pre-approval for the surgery. You can probably look on line with you insurance company to see what they require, or you can find someone on here that has the same insurance that can guide you. Good luck!

I am new to this forum myself and have found it very informative. I have been working toward the band for over a year and have finally been approved by my insurance company. My surgery is scheduled for 7/11. This is the place to be for any questions. There are a lot of great people on this site. Good luck!

Hi there! I am fairly new too. My surgery date is 7/11 and I started my pre-op diet today. I am nervous and excited. I have found this forum to be helpful and encouraging! Welcome and good luck!

For me, its' 3 shakes per day and a light dinner consisting of 3 oz of lean fish, chicken, turkey or other lean source of protein and veggies. That's it. I wasn't sure I was gonna make it thru the day, but today was my first day and I did great. I can recommend the EAS shake mix from Shaw's (Albertson's) Grocery Store. They have like 3 times the recommended amount of protein, less sugar and less calories than the one they sell in the surgeons office and they actually taste good.

Hi Sweetie! Thanks for the response. I cannot believe that is you in the picture! You have done sooo well. I am working on my first day of the pre-surgery liquid diet and so far, so good. I am on my third shake now at 5pm, I was getting hungry. So I figure I will eat dinner around 7 and then call it a day. I didn't think I could do it and am still nervous about the next two weeks, but today wasn't as hard as the 4th of July is gonna be. We are having a hug seafood cookout at my Dads' house on the lake Chowder and clamcakes and shrimp and Pasta and all the normal cookout stuff that I can't have. It is not going to be easy, but I didn't come this far to screw it all up. Wish me luck!!! Lisa

Hello everyone! I was invited to this site by a new friend and co-worker and this is my first time blogging, never mind getting ready to have surgery on July 11. It took me over 16 months to finally get approval from my insurance carrier although I have been suffering with a gazillion physical issues all stemming from my 5'2", 245 lb body. I finally got approved and have booked my surgery for 7/11. I go in tomorrow morning for my pre-admission testing and start my liquid diet and I am nervous as hell. I just hope I can stick to it and do what is right. I am worried. Help!:confused2:

Hi Kim! I am new to this site myself and have just been aprroved for surgery after a long 18 month wait. I am excited and anxious. Good luck!

Thank you very much, I need all the support I can get!

I have Aetna insurance and after 18 months, I finally got my approva and booked a date for surgery. By all means, start the process now and find out what your insurance company requires before you do anything. Like your other reply said, you can always schedule surgery around your trip. Good luck!

Getting my surgery on july 11!!!! Excited!!

I noticed your "waiting for Aetna"! I have Aetna as well and I just got approved after 16 months! I thought the day would never come! If you need any advice, let me know. But hang in there!