BooCakes

GOOD LUCK TO THE FIRST SEPTEMBER BANDSTERS!!!! How exciting the month is officially beginning!!! Also, got a letter from Aetna today saying they got a request for my surgery approval and they need more info and all the info they need is um....EVERYTHING. I didn't know if this was standard form letter or what? My Dr's office has been great and have come across as pro's with handling the insurance and all that. Why wouldn't they send in the 2 year weight history I gave them from my PCP or the Dr's and Nutriionnist notes. UGH...it's got me VERY VERY frustrated at the moment. I hope when all is said and done that I am INDEED a September bandster. I'm getting anxious. Boo

I'm AETNA POS II and I was submitted last Wednesday, I called this Wednesday and was told it's still pending. I don't know if that is good or bad, or just nothing at all ya know. You can't help but wonder. It's like we've been looking forward to this for so long it's hard to imagine getting denied. :thumbup: :crying: I got my fingers crossed for everyone!

Thanks FFC, I hope that is the case. It's so hard to be postive without getting a little anxious. It is through my employer and Aetna has always been good to us so far, so hopefully that continues to be the case. I've come so far I just don't want to stop now. :thumbup: Boo

Yeah, it stinks how much faster men loose weight. My husband has lost a ton of weight this year. He considered the band but wanted to give it one last attempt and then is hoping with my band changes and lifestyle change it will cement the changes he's made. I hope so too. He's done great and as happy as we are for our hubby's it's like they get the easy end of the stick on everything, including weight loss. LOL Oh well. :thumbup: Did Dr. Ceppa say which band he preferred. Dr. Ku said he does both but seemed to be leaning toward the Realize band, he said he's really come to like it and has been seeing equal and great results. I guess I'm gonna go with the realize band. As much as I see people try and get the pro's and con's of the bands, they do seem pretty much equal. I think if you follow the rules and do what we're supposed to, we'll have success with either band. Makes me a little nervous with it being the newer band, but I'm just gonna trust Ku. I am near the Elverson area so it's not too far to reading for me, about 30 mintues or so. I'm excited for you to get through your nutrition appts and insurance reqs!!! It will fly by. :crying:

Thanks! It's nice to know we're not alone!!! :blushing:

Ugh...I am in the same boat with you!!! I have Aetna and was submitted last Wednesday. I called today and they said it was reviewed the 21 and 24 but was still pending. Doesn't that sound bad? I so dont' want to get all nervous and stuff, but I can't help it. Especially when I read "approved by Aetna in 2 days". So, i guess we'll see. I really REALLY hope you get your acceptance by Friday. That would be a sweet treat for the weekend! :blushing:

Kimr~ Thanks girl...this patience thing is killing me! I'm a little in the last supper mode, but keeping it in check, I dont' want to gain back a single pound I've lost the past 4 months or so. I didn't have the GI's either, he said I didn't need them with my health history. I do have a 4 day liquid pre-op diet. Jazz~ That is wonderful news. Congrats!!! Cortney~ Thanks too. You are doing great on your pre-op and way to go with the 8 POUNDS. Awesome. You should be proud, your off to a great start all ready! :blushing: Amanda~ You are doing great!! I wish I had Jillian too, that would be the best, you know she'd be working our asses off!!! LOL

That is totally cool and I'm so excited for you. Just reading your post got me all excited and I know what you mean. This is huge!!! We have showed we are ready though and it's going to be tough, but wonderful too. There is a September thread of people being banded, you should hop over there. I haven't really told anyone either, so it will be nice to make some new friends on here. My surgery is Sept 16 and I am just waiting to make sure Insurance is gonna approve it. I am getting nervous, but staying positive. Congrats again and only a few more days...:blushing: Boo

I sense on some posts that people think that the higher BMI's might be too much for a band? I've seen lots of people on here who have lost 100+ pounds so I am trying to keep you guys in my mind as inspiration. I am only 5'2" and 278 (OMG!). I am offically on Day 2 of my 3 month prep program and am required to loose atleast 15 pounds. I am wanting to loose around 135 pounds. I have been researching and reading these boards and others for like 2 years, so I know what I need to do and I know I CAN do it. I'm going in positive, but sometimes I wonder if i should do the bypass (which I REALLY REALLY do NOT want to do). After I researched the band, I just loved it and it felt right. I just hope my weight isn't too heave. Then, I keep reading the average of 50% of excess weight is the norm and that leaves me at around 200! I guess I just know I have to go the extra mile to surpass that average??? Anyway, I just thought this group would be a good place to start, since I am soon going to be a part of it!!! JJ

Thanks Soco and I was inspired by your post and called them and the case was reviewed the 24th and is still pending. I don't know if that should make me extra nervous, like why wasn't it just approved? Ugh...I just want to know!!! LOL So, I guess I'll call next week and see. I just hate sitting in this limbo and I'm so excited for my surgery (which is scheduled for the 16th) and don't want to find out a week before it's cancelled. Oh well, I am at their timeline I suppose. Patience...patience...patience... That is great you are noticing your clothes feeling looser. That is always a wonderful feeling, before you know it they'll be falling off!!! Keep up the good work!!!! :thumbdown: Boo

Just wanted to say welcome to all the newest posters and surgery dates posted!!! Also, quick question...how long did you guys wait to call your insurance about if your approved? Did you call at all or wait for the letter? Tomorrow is a week and a day and I want to call so bad but don't want to bug either. I was just curious!

I do the same thing when I get nervous, I try to picture myself next Christmas or New Years Eve, or next summer and fall with my children. It does help keep what we're doing all this work for in perspective. Good luck with the liquids. I'm excited for the September Bandies to get underway!!! Keep us posted!

Sleeping through the liquid diet WOULD BE sweet!!! lol

Cool!!! Mine is in Reading at the Weight Management Center through the hospital there. So far, so good. I'm still shocked were all so close to OUR MONTH!! What is HUP? I'm not sure? Boo

Yea!!!! That is wonderful news. I am so hoping to copy this post tomorrow!!! Tomorrow will be one week and one day and I was thinking of calling. Did you call them? ( I have Aetna and did the 3 month program too). I was worried if I should call or not. Congrats again...your on your way! boo

Hi Dawn! That is great that you and hubby are doing this together. It must be so nice having a partner with you through this. My husband has actually been dieting with me so that has helped, but it's not the same. How do you like Dr. Ceppa? I have seen him, he looks nice. I've only seen Dr. Ku so far. I was submitted last Wed to insurance for approval and my surgery is scheduled for September 16th. I am really excited (assuming I get approved from insurance). I had to do a 3 month program. I went to the first group orientation back in February, so it still takes a lot longer then what you think. Oh well, I just kept telling myself "so what if it's a couple extra months". They will fly by and they really really have. I can't believe I'm almost there. Yours will fly by too!!!! :thumbup: What area are you guys from? Is it far to appointments for you. I like how the office does take control and do everything, makes it a lot less complicated. Keep me posted on your progress!!! It's always nice to chat with someone who's in the same area and surgeons. Boo

First off, GREAT JOB on the weight loss!! Way to go girl! I just wanted to tell you I just checked out them little utensils and ordered some for myself. I have been really worried about the little bites and chewing and stuff and figure they might help get me started and in a routine and I won't be eating with a baby fork. LOL Thanks for the tips! Boo

Welcome Devvon...I'm in PA too!!

Hang in there Soco, it will start falling off any day now!!!! One more week!

That is wonderful news. I am still waiting from Aetna and was submitted last Wednesday. I'm so excited but getting more and more nervous? How long did it take for your approval from when you were submitted?

Another 9/16...there is a few of us now I think!!! :w00t:

Well, thats some good deceiving then! You should share your tricks. LOL I am in the same spot...I've lost some during the 3 month dieting and DO NOT want to gain it back, but I've been in a stale mate the past couple weeks. I don't care if I don't loose anymore presurgery, but I don't want to gain. It's too hard to loose it all, but to loose it twice is a bummer (as if we haven't all done this anyway!).

Cortney, You are too funny. I am sure even the nastiest of stuff might be appetizing right about now. LOL Sounds like your doing great and holding strong and cheers to a supportive hubby! I can give up the soda, that won't be hard, but damn, I do like to have a drink here and there. I have two kids so it's rare I actually have the time, but every month (or two or three) when we get a sitter, it's nice to be an adult and have a drink or two. I would give up drinking in a heartbeat though, 100% if this was the only way, so I know I can do it. I'm just trying to figure it out and wondering (pre-band) how it's all really gonna go down. LOL You know I started in February!!! I only had a 3 month insurance program, but to follow my surgeon's protocol, this is still how long it took. It flew by and I just kept thinking "what's an extra month or two". Boo

I SOOOOO hope it works out for you!!!

Awesome news and congrats!!! What a journey you've got coming to you too!