SoAnnaBanana

Thanks all for replying! I will soon know how it feels as my surgery is tomorrow. I actually think my husband will be the one giving them to me.

Wow, this weekend has been tough with the pre-op diet. It was both my anniversary and my husband's birthday. All I could have was slimfast, broth, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and crystal light. I must admit... I had second thoughts while on this diet... it has been so hard. But here we all are turning the corner and soon to be post-op. I am looking forward to all the great things to come! Good luck to you all on Tuesday!!!

I had my diet and post-op info class yesterday, as well as my bloodwork, EKG (again), and a chest X-ray. I met with my surgeon again, and the anesthesiologist. I start my full liquids diet tomorrow and I have to admit... it is all hitting me now. As I was sitting in my diet class I kept worrying that I couldn't do this. I have no fears about the actual surgery, but man... the lifestyle change! I know this is what I need and that I have to do it but I am nervous. I guess that is normal. I keep thinking about how I will feel a year from now and that makes me feel better.

Wow, I can't believe how many September 1st dates there are. I am feeling a little left out with my Sept 2nd surgery date! I am so excited! How about you guys?

The more I read the more fortunate I realize I am. I have BCBS PPO of MI and I did not need pre-authorization, just some paperwork filled out. I went to my seminar on June 22 and got my surgery date on August 3rd. I needed to have my Psych eval, a surgical clearance filled out by my PCP, and a letter of support from my PCP. I didn't have to do any diet. My PCP did make it as hard on me as she possibly could though... she made me have a full physical plus some extras, refered me to a cardiologist (I don't have a heart condition) who sent me for a stress test plus extras. All and all I think I had about 20 doctor appointments but I was extremely determined. I have my pre-op bloodwork and nutrtition class August 24th and then off to the OR on September 2nd. Stay possitive and keep your eye on the prize. I remember thinking it was too much work but I never let that get me down. I had first thought I wouldn't be able to have surgery until Nov or Dec so I am so pleased I was able to get everything done so quickly. I had many highs and lows (at one point my PCP would not fill out the letter of support because of "legal" issues"). I went back to her 6 times before the whole thing was settled. Eventually my surgeon just signed off on my form and said it was "semantics". Good luck!

I can tell you how long it took me from seminar to surgery date, however, all this is based on so many things. I have BCBS PPO of MI. I do not need pre- approval for surgery, just needed to get a letter from my PCP and a letter of surgical clearance and my Psych eval. Also, it depends on the surgeon and any other doctor you see how quickly they can get you in. I went to my seminar June 22nd, scheduled my psych eval for that following week (that took 3 weeks to get my results), met with the surgeon July 14th, saw my PCP on and off (about once a week cause she kept telling me she would work on it). PCP made me have a full physical and sent me to a cardiologist on (so he could sign off on my surgical clearance). The cardiologist made me have a stress test, and then I finally got all my paper work in on Friday July 31st. They called me that next Monday and scheduled me for surgery on September 2ns. I will have my pre-op bloodwork and check X-Ray as well as nutritionist appointment on August 24th. All in all it will have taken 10 weeks and 2 days when I have my surgery. Also, my insurance did not require any diet, many do. I would say for having to deal with insurance and many many doctors, my process was pretty quick. Good luck to you! It will all be worth it in the end.

Yeah! That is my surgery date too!!! When do you start your pre-op diet?

I will be banded September 2nd... can't wait. I will go in on the 24th of August to see the nutrionist about my pre and post-op diet. It will be liquids for 9 days pre-op, just not sure exactly what. I look forward to being on this journey with you all!

I was lucky to not have any issues with my insurance but my PCP was a total douche. She refused to fill out forms that the surgeon needed to get me boarded for surgery. She kept refering me for more test and more specialists. In the end when there were no more test or specialist to send me to she wrote a letter to the surgeon. The first line was, "This is not a letter of support or a referal". I went through all this drama for months and finally the surgeon just called her and he signed off on the surgery. If it isn't one thing... it's another. My situation wasn't as drawn out as yours but it is so terrible when someone stands in your way of something that will change your life possitively and something you want so bad! Keep your eye on the prize! I know that can be hard but it will pay off. I am having my surgery September 2nd and still can't believe I have a surgery date. Best of luck!

Woo Hoo!! I got my surgery date today! I will be banded September 2nd! I am so pumped!

I also have to do the shots 2x a day for 7 days. I hear it is not bad at all. I am getting used to the idea!

Wow, I wasn't given any certain amount of weight to lose but I do have an appointment with the nutrionist on the 24th of this month. That is when I will start my liquid diet. I will be on that for 9 days. It is amazing how much pre-op and post-op vary from dr. to dr. I do have to give myself injections of an anticoagulant for a week post-op, my surgeon requires that of everyone. That is the only part I am really nervous about.... that and saying goodbye to my good friend food. Good luck all. I am so looking forward to hearing about your success!

Yeah!! I am so happy for you! I know how excited you must be, I got my date yesterday. I am being banded on Sept 2nd!

Bigsmoove23, I am getting banded the day after you! Let's lets keep in touch! I would love to know how you are doing on your journey. Obviously, I haven't had my surgery yet but I am 27 and have had two major surgeries in the past, one this past March. The last was for a very large pilonidal cyst (a cyst in the tissue over your tailbone). The wound was left open after surgery and was about 7 inches long by 4 inches deep. It is still not entirely closed but is getting there. This surgery changed my life. I lived with so much pain from that cyst that I was willing to do anything to make it better. I feel the same way about the lap band. I am willing to go through a lot (though I don't expect it to be anything like the cyst) the results will be so worth any pain and annoyance. I have wanted this for so long and finally commited after my last surgery. I realized I don't have to be this fat miserable person anymore. Good luck to you and don't worry! You will do awesome!

I don't have a surgery date yet, but expect to by mid next week. I have had many appointments to have my pre-op testing, psych eval, ect. People at work are all very kind and worry why I am gone so much. I told pretty much everyone in my office, those who don't know yet will soon, I am sure. My parents and sister know but I haven't told extended family. I think I may wait until after surgery to tell them. I have noticed that almost everyone has something to say about the surgery... mostly good but sometimes not so much. I don't feel like listening to these people spout off so I won't tell them until after. I don't really care who knows, I just don't want to hear everyones input. I am obviously extremely over weight and most people I know have seen me through many weight losses and gains. I am comfortable with the decision I made and that is all that matters to me.

I have BCBS PPO of Michigan and I have only had to pay my regular co-pay for psych eval, family practice doctor, and the cardioligist my family practice doctor made me see. I did not pay a co-pay when I had my consult. I do know that the required nutrionist appointment is not covered at all by insurance. My surgery is covered 100% with no co-pay but I will pay the $15 co-pay when I have fills. Insurance companies and plans vary so much, I would suggest calling them dirrectly and getting the information from the source!

Paulette, Thanks for the info. It makes me feel so much better hearing from someone who has done it. I will do anything to lose this weight, so I have just decided to deal with it when the time comes, but I must admit, the idea is so scary to me. It seems like the stomache would be such a terrible place for injections. I feel so much better now that you told me it wasn't that bad! Anna

I met with my surgeon yesterday, as well as my insurance coordinator, nutritionist, and nurse. I am so exicted, as I found out my insurance has very minimal requirements (psych eval, bloodwork, and letter from family practice doctor). They just dropped their diet requirements last January. I don't even have to wait for an approval. I just need to get all the required documents to the coordinator and they will schedule me for surgery. Depending on how quickly my psych eval doctor and family doctor send in their parts, I am looking at August or early September. I am so pumped. Thank god for my BC/BS PPO!!! Also, let me tell you all... I have been lurking here for the past couple years and finally decided I was ready to start my journey. All your posts have been an amazing amount of help to me!

On Thursday I saw my doctor again to get my surgical clearance and paperwork filled out. Unfortnately (and fortunately) she required me to see a cardiologist. I saw him yesterday and he decided that, though he wasn't at all worried about my heart, it would be a good idea to do a stress test to get a baseline for the future. Fine.. whatever... however, they can't get me in until August 10 for the stress test. Then I have to follow up with the cariologist that following Friday. I am so bummed that this will probably set me back another month. But, I am also realistic that this is a life time change and it is good for the doctor to be overly careful. Hopefully I can be banded by the end of September... but I am thinking it may be October now. I have giant massive amounts of ants in my pants! :smile:

I have no history of blood clots. The surgeon told me this is something they require of all people post-op. I am not sure how I am going to do it though! SCARY!

Thanks all for your support! I am looking forward to seeing all your success as well. I feel like the community is going to help me get so much farther! Sandiegokate, Canton is crazy now... it just keep sprawling! I am orginally from the U.P. but have lived down state four about 10 years. In the short time I have lived here the community has grown so much! What a change CA must have been from Livonia... do you miss the winters?!