BooCakes

I would think it would be OK, I'd just give your Dr. a call and ask to be safe. Bug them!!! Thats what their there for. I'm from PA too? What are are you in? Dr.?

A poster above had posted about being worried about alcohol. I have lots of friends that me and my husband hang out with that drink and meet up at bars for drinks on the weekend and I am worried about being able to go and not draw attention for not drinking. I posted something about beer and apparently that is the worst thing cause of the carbonation. I didn't LOVE beer so I figured I'd drink that to ensure I sip one through the night. Red wine was the top drink and I love red wine, so I wanted to stay away from that. I could easily manage sipping it, I just don't want to tempt myself or hinder my diet ya know? I don't know. IO guess because I haven't told anyone it's giving me this problem. I'm just not ready to share all this yet. Anyone else thinking and wondering these things?

Courtney, You look AMAZING!!!! Wow, you have done phenomenal! I so hope to be in your shoes one year from now coming back to encourage the September banders of 2010. You truly are an inspiration and I thank you for coming on to share you story and pictures. You look beautiful. Great job and thank you. These posts really help right about now!!!! Boo

Jenn...you will. We have to believe in ourselves at this point and know we were strong enough to get here. WE can do it. Right? Right!

Kimr, My pre-op diet is the 4 days prior to surgery and it's all liquids. I think it will be hard but I'm thinking the post surgery is gonna be harder. Have you gotten Insurance Approval yet? I hope so, one less thing to worry about (unless your self-pay). Boo

Cortney, Hang in there girlie!!! That really sucks about the cardio, but better to be safe then sorry. I am sure it will be OK and everything will go fine. You are getting VERY VERY close. You CAN do it!! Boo

Awww...don't beat yourself up!!! You just haven't started losing YET!!! I was told my insurance likes to see some loss in the pre-op program/requirements and they had been getting denials because of people not losing or gaining. I got so nervous, I decided to take it serious and just get started but in all honesty, I don't know that I would have without the push. Regardless, we are all on our way to losing all these pounds we so need to get rid of FOR GOOD. BTW, you look rather thin in your profile pic...maybe you don't have as much to loose? I still have to loose like 100 pounds, and 120 if I want to get to the "weight charts" perfect BMI. Oh, and welcome! Boo

Wow, we are right at the same spot!!! I really want to call the Insurance Company today, but I was just submitted Wednesday so I don't want to annoy them and have them say "No". LMAO I can't help but be anxious though. I think your the only one I've seen on the 16th, so we'll have all the early September friends to give us a good low down on how it all went. :drool: Keep me posted on your approval and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

UGH...AGREED...that is so annoying when people say that. I know I carry a lot of responsibility in regards to my weight, but I know there are a lot of factors that are going on instead of just poor will power. Boo

That is a good point, the accountability in keeping up with your progress and stuff. Maybe I'll have to think about it cause it would help me. I wouldn't even know where to start though. Do you just go to a site and start one? My 4 day liquids I believe is considered clear liquids. Waters (propel and sugar free flavored), decaf tea, coffee, broths, SF jello, SF popsicles and I think protein shakes. I have my trusty "bible" at home, so I can double check and let you know I'm thankful it's only 4 days though.

Welcome!!! I am super new here myself. I've been reading for a long time, but with my surgery in September I figured it's time to jump in. That is great you are starting, it really will fly by and you'll be ready in no time. Do you have Insurance requirements or will you be getting surgery in September too? Either way it will happen for you.

I don't have a blog. I don't think I'll do one because I don't think I'd ever really update it. Plus, I haven't really told anyone about this so I don't think anyone would be looking at it. LOL I love reading others blogs though and have found them very inspiring and useful. We should come up with a standard Pre-Op Shopping List. I have post it's all over, but I can never remember all the great things I see on here and might want or need (like V-8 soups). So, I guess some people are on their pre-op diets now. It's exciting knowing September is THAT close. Mine is a 4 day full liquids so I have until September 12th!!!!

Well, found out from the patient advocate that I was being submitted today for Insurance Approval. I have never even considered it might not go through, so now it's hit me and I'm nervous as hell. She said it can be like 2 days or 2 weeks. She said as they come in the Insurance Companies look at the scheduled surgery dates and prioritize that way and so she said since I'm not till Sept. 16th it might be a week or two and not to get stressed. I have Aetna Choice POS II. Don't know if that is good. Anyone else on here have Aetna? I read lots of good stuff on Aetna and then read someone say they were horrible. So, who knows? My BMI is like 47 now and was 51 at the start of the 3 month multi-disciplinary prep program. :biggrin: It's so hard talking about this stuff sometimes, but I figure I better get used to it if I want to talk to you folks about what you doing and the wonderful life we're all heading into. So, for now I'm just crossing my fingers. I also have only told my husband (who's been WONDERFUL) and my parents and one sister. I can't wait for the future September bandies to start on September 1st. We will all be following you and supporting you through your excitement and nerves. I don't even know you guys but I'm excited for each and every one of you! Take Care!!!

How long after surgery did you find yourself able to sip a beer socially when out with friends. I'm thinking of all the things I have coming up and I don't really like beer a whole lot so was thinking if I had a beer it'd easily take me all night sipping it. So, I was just curious how long after surgery you found it safe to have a social drink? Thanks :biggrin:

I know, I guess that sounds stupid huh? I don't really care for beer so I'll drink that. :biggrin: I never thought of the carbonation in beer. I actually love red wine but I just wanted to stay away from that. I am sure I can force myself to sip one glass throughout an evening and it will taste better warm then a beer will two hours later. Thanks for the input!!!

What did your pre-op testing include before you got your surgery?

Thanks everyone. I should have clarified, not the test from the surgeon to get their approval that you are OK for the surgery, but after you have done all them tests, and all the insurance requirements and have surgery scheduled, you go to the hospital for pre-operative tests right before surgery...I was wondering what all they do then. Thanks for all the help and input!!!! Boo

I agree with the other posters. The fact they don't know what the 3 month surgical prep program is, is kind of scary. It's a pretty common requirment, not only should they know, they should be telling and helping you!!!!

Even if I was self pay with no insurance my Dr. requires a 3 month program of nutrition appts etc to help prepare you for the surgery.

Great Great news!!!! Yea! I am opposite you, I have my surgery date (9/16) but am waiting for approval. I hope to follow in your footsteps!

Best of luck to you!!!!

Hello! I am a newbie here. My surgery is scheduled for September 16th. I was just submitted to Insurance for approval (Aetana POS II) and I am so hoping it just goes smoothly with no problems. I just found this page and read through them all and can't remember who's who, so I'll have to try and pick up from here. I'm excited and nervous and know you all probably feel the same. I am anxious to just get the band and re-learn living with it. Makes me smile. I have to believe I can do this. Good luck to everyone coming up!!!! Boo

Deann, I feel your concerns. It's hard because we are in that last phase where the real true commitment time is HERE. You wouldn't have gone through all you've done if you didn't feel you really needed and wanted this. Try to have a little faith in yourself, we're stronger then we think we are. It's funny saying this to you though, cause I have many similar feelings. I am getting scared as it's setting in that my time is really coming and almost here. We've done the research, we know what we're getting into and we have to go in positive and hopeful to commit to these changes and new goals for our lives. So, don't feel silly for sharing or venting, we need to do that too. Just pat yourself on the back for being brave enough to take this route.

To get BANDED!!!!! I know I'm jumping the gun here because they have just submitted me to insurance for approval, but I have a date set for September 16th. I'm thinking positive and trying to not worry about the approval, I will save that for the end of next week I've posted a little on here and read all your posts and words of wisdom daily. You guys really are an inspiration to those still sitting and wondering what's gonna happen and what direction thier lives will take. I have post its all over with snips of advice I've been jotting down. LOL I look forward to learning more about all of you and officially starting this new life. Boo

Add another one to September. I am getting banded on September 16th. I'm jumping the gun cause I was just submitted for Insurance Approval but I am just thinking positive. My feelings are the same as all of yours. I feel like I will get a little more nervous day by day. I know we will ALL do fantastic. I can't wait to hear about your journey's. Boo