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Hello Everyone! Im back and finally joining the living world! lol The first week out is a little rough....I literally slept the entire week away. But im starting to feel "normal" again. I just wish I'd get all of my energy back. I dont like feeling kept down....im used to being so active....and I just feel so...lazy and exhausted. Im having some issues with getting down all the stuff im supposed to be getting down so far... but each day seems to get a little easier.....either I can eat a little more, consumer a little more liquid, have a little more energy or am a little less sore. That is definetly encouraging. I just wish I could rush through this time. I see Dr. Kaplan today for my post-op check up. Im hoping I've lost some more weight!! And that he removes my stitches....I cant stand them poking through my shirt! Cant wait to see you all at my first Banded Support Group Meeting!!! :thumbup:

I just had my pre-op weigh in..........I lost 16.5 lbs!!!! YEAH!!!!! I am SO excited!!!! Im good to go for surgery tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup: And you all were right...the second week of the liquid diet..got MUCH easier....... My body adjusted to it. Not that I didnt WANT food but I wasnt starving per say. lol

I was told when it was submitted BCBS takes 3-4 wks to make a decision. But then they sent a letter for me to sign around the 3rd week. A week later I called BCBS as to the status and they said they had 2 weeks to make a decision after the "new information" they received. So I asked if by new information they meant the letter I signed stating I know all the risks...and they said yes. (Ridiculous) It was still 2 more weeks before I got the letter. They gave Jeannie a verbal approval before I got the letter though...thankfully! BCBS was so irritating. You know they had to have made their decision by the time they sent me a letter stating I knew all the risks... So frustrating....but...thats in the past now...thankfully!!! I just feel sorry for anyone else who is at that point..I know how anxious you are and how frustrating it is. As for the diet...it is awful...I wont lie to you. However, the 4oz of chicken and 1 cup of veggies at the end of the day..is the best food you've ever tasted!!! lol People keep telling me it will get better after the 4th day......im on day 5 now...the only thing that keeps me ticking along....is the countdown...9 more days!!!! THANK GOODNESS!!! It will be worth it...but this is hard. Good Luck!! I hope you hear from your insurance soon!

My approval letter from BCBS was almost 6 weeks after being submitted! RIDICULOUS!!!!!!! The good news............I do have a surgery date - May 29!!! :smile2::redface: The bad news.......im now on the 2 week liquid diet and it is what I assume hell would be like. :crying: Im on day 4 now and according to my scales I've lost 4lbs! Yay!!!!

Ok..so I emailed Jeannie freaking out...as I was in the post before. And she scheduled me with Dr. Kaplan. I feel 10x better. A little less freaked...I so do not want to go over my June 1 renewal on my insurance! Susan with Kaplans office said my surgery would be May 28 if all goes well. Keep your fingers crossed............... And I have to say.......THANK YOU JEANNIE!!!!!!!! She is wonderful!:thumbup:

I dont have much faith in the insurance...BCBS. In fact im beginning to hate them! My stuff was submitted on April 1 and still..........no letter......and its May 1. Im pissed!!!:thumbup: I called BCBS last week and they said since they got new info in....(a letter signed by me stating I knew the risks) they had 14 days from then to make a decision...which pushes me to next Wednesday. I SWEAR they are trying to push me until I have to pay the $3K deductible again on June 1. I FREAKING hate insurance companies...such a scam. I hate to be so pissy............but I am so fed up....I've been in this since September and still no band. Thank God im near the end...or I'd just give up. Im really near that point as it is. :ohmy: So.......if ya'll hear of someone going postal at BCBS.....its probably me! (After all....I work only a block from them...) lol

Thanks Judy! Im keeping my fingers crossed for the insurance...... Elizabeth - I dont know what his complications were.

Do all the resteraunts accept the card? I havent heard anything from Jennifer...but on Facebook it sounded like her husband had complications.

Hi Everyone! Im finally near the end!!! April 1 is my last nutritionist appointment and then my stuff will be submitted to insurance!!!! Im so excited!! Hopefully all will go well with the insurance.

Yeh Jennifer! You will be banded in no time!

Congratulations. Jennifer!!!!!!! That is awesome!!

Elizabeth - Congratulations! 11 lbs is Great! Thanks Kyla! I am going to save it to my favorites now. How nice that they arent updating it......

Unreal. Its sad it costs that much.... Its such a great change/benefit for people and many cannot afford it. What is Dr. Kaplan's website? I know it was posted on here before but I cant find it.

Good Luck today Elizabeth!! The surgery is $36K without insurance! Good heavens!!! How would anyone afford this without some sort of insurance. That's ridiculous. I was figuring it was around $15.

Thanks Elizabeth!!! Thats not too bad! I was allowing $150 in my budget for them and thinking I'd have to have maybe....6 (?) the first year until it is right. Then 2 each year afterwards. ?? Does that sound about right? Are the first few fills included with our surgery?

How much is Kaplan's office charging for the fills? I have insurance...but a high deductible plan..so I get to pay the first $3000. (lovely) Which my insurance renewal date will be the month following my surgery.

Hello! Below is the link for the bullets I drink. They are little vials. They come in quite a few flavors. GNC sells them as singles also....but its cheaper on massnutrition with bulk buying. IDS Sports Supplements wholesale prices at MassNutrition.com

Syntha 6 is protein powder. I think its whole name is BSN Syntha 6. It comes in vanilla, chocolate, cappucino, strawberry, etc. It tastes really good. I like to put them in the freezer for a few minutes and then drink it like a milkshake or warm up the chocolate and drink it like hot chocolate. They really taste really good.

I like the bullets and the Syntha 6 protein powder. I order them from massnutrition.com - they are reasonably priced there.

3 weigh ins means 3 months?? Do you not go twice a month? I had to go every other week. Hey 3 weigh in though, that is closer then you were 6 months ago:tongue_smilie: It will go by fast. Good luck!!! Well I think I may have hit my sweet spot FINALLY. I am averaging a weight loss of 2 pounds a week and I dont think I am getting enough protein though, my hair is coming out by the handfulls.. My next fill appointment is the 11th. Anyone else going to be there? Lindsey changed me to once a month for weigh in.....I guess they are getting quite busy now and their schedules are getting pretty full. She changed me at my last weigh in from every 2 wks to once a month. I am thankful there is only 3 more........I have tomorrow and then March & April. And your right......I am closer. It just feels like it has been forever... Congrats on hitting your sweet spot!!!! 2 lbs a week is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Jennifer! Have you heard anything more yet? Good Luck!!!! 3 more weigh ins...................and then I will be submitted to insurance :w00t:............course that also means 3 more months!

Thats one good thing. Its just been very frustrating and it seems like forever. I've had a hard time staying motivated.

Elizabeth - I started in the program in August. But my first appt with Lindsey wasnt until October.........so my insurance is counting that as the beginning and I have to have 6 mos worth of visits with her. She notified me that BCBS changed how they count their months..........so now I have to wait even LONGER! So, instead of being able to do surgery at the end of March/beginning of April..........im now to the end of April/beginning of May! FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!!!! I REALLY hate insurance companies. Good Luck in Surgery Thursday Debbie!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone! Its been forever since I've been on here. Im still plugging along..............surgery wont be until the end of April.........first of May....... :yikes: Im getting SO impatient! Congrats on your Weight Loss Elizabeth!!

Hello!! I hope everyone had a Great Holiday!!!! :tongue2: Its so hard to be back to work after being off for awhile...... UGH!!! I had to pay my deductible of $3000 up front. I've heard that BCBS has not been paying for everyones nutrition visits....even though they are requiring it. (STUPID!!!!!!!!!)