Central Florida Lapbandsters?

[michiganer 0]

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Any had surgery with US Bariatrics, Dr Kim? I can't have my first fill until July 13th YIKES....It because I'm going on vacation, which I really shouldn't be doing as I have all these medical bills. But, I guess I'm not spending money on eating out so ALLS GOOD LOL. Any live in Seminole County???

</p> <p> </p> <p>Hi! I live in St. CLoud and I work downtown Orlando. I plan on having Dr. Kim at US Bariatrics do my surgey. I just have to get Cigna to accept him as a provider which is hard. Cigna wants me to go to Dr. Jawad in Ocala but I don't want to. When I called them, the lady that answered the phone asked me about my weight. I told her and she said because my BMI is over 50, Dr. Jawad would want to do gastric and probably wouldn't do the band. I don't like being told that by the person that answers the phone there. I think it sounds like Dr. Jawad is out to make more money because he charges more for gastric. I am praying Cigna will see that US Bariatric is about 50 miles closer to where I live. Right now I am in month 5 of my 6-month diet program so I am just waiting to send all of my paperwork once that's over. Keeping my fingers crossed that they will approve me!

www.myspace.com/michiganer1981

[BadGirlinFL 0]

Hi Bad Girl congrats on your decision to get banded. I'm just to North in Pasco County.

JC

Thanks JC! I am looking forward to getting my band and getting this excess weight off and reaching a healthy weight.

I see you are on myspace too. Where did you go Kayaking? I will have to check out your pictures

[liberty48 0]

I have Aetna, Dr Kim wasn't on their list either. So its was about $4,000 out of pocket. Cigna should still pay 70% for Dr Kim. Have you gone to any of his meetings? Or you can call his office staff 407-303-4521 ask for Amanda Scott she works with all the insurance companies. All other docs should be in network, Florida Hospital, RLI anesthisists. good luck!

[jcgrove29 0]

Hi JC - I'm impatiently waiting! I hope after coughing up all this dough that I lose the weight, or at least most of it. Any suggestions? I'll be perfectly honest, I plan on excersizing, but, I am a procrastinator. I hope when I lose some lbs. that I have more energy and incintive to excercise more. I want to lose 70 lbs but will be very happy with 55.

I can give you lots of suggestions most revolve around a single theme called patience which I unfortunatly have very little.

Here are my top five:

1. Try to find a diet, eating plan, lifestyle change, whatever you want to call it (diet for me ) that works for you. I use a Weight Watchers type of diet.

2. Excercise will come with the extra energy if you desire it. I started out huffing and puffing around the JR. High School track.

3. Set goals short med long. one of mine was to walk 4miles in an hour I started with making it around the track then 1 mile then 2 ... after I reached 4 then I started working on speed.

Now I walk 4 for a warm up, Can bike 100 miles in about 9hours, Kayak indefinetly. I think my metabolism is one fire!

4.Get used to putting more fluids in your body this is key for me. It helps keep me out of trouble I tend not to get as hungry when I am more hydrated.

5. Keep a positive attitude! If people around you are bombing you with negativity get away from them. If you start having self-doubt because something isn't working right hit these groups and call on your Dr. but don't give in to negative thoughts. Let us vetrans and your Dr. try to help before giving in! Did I mention stay positive?

JC

[jcgrove29 0]

Thanks JC! I am looking forward to getting my band and getting this excess weight off and reaching a healthy weight.

I see you are on myspace too. Where did you go Kayaking? I will have to check out your pictures

I have been kayaking the Chassahowitzka river, it is just north of Weeki Wachee. Checkout my photbucket albums for the latest pics. The Pinellas Trail album is from last weekend 40 mile bike ride.

str8jacket29 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

If you or anyone else on the forum wants to be on my myspace friends list just send a quick message please reference lapband or lapband talk, there is so much spam out there!

www.myspace.com/str8jacket29

JC

[michiganer 0]

I have Aetna, Dr Kim wasn't on their list either. So its was about $4,000 out of pocket. Cigna should still pay 70% for Dr Kim. Have you gone to any of his meetings? Or you can call his office staff 407-303-4521 ask for Amanda Scott she works with all the insurance companies. All other docs should be in network, Florida Hospital, RLI anesthisists. good luck!

Hi! Yes, I have been to two of his meetings. I don't mind paying some out of pocket as long as Cigna pays the rest! I have spoken to Amanda alot and she has given me alot of advice on how to get Cigna to approve me. You see, Cigna is stuck on this Dr. Jawad in Ocala. He has an after-care center in Orlando and they think he does the surgery there too. I am trying to get them to realize that he is actually outside of the zone for me. I would have to drive 2 hours to get to him. Amanda has had some good suggestions on how to get Cigna to approve me for US Bariatrics. I am praying they will because I like Dr. Kim and they are only about 30 minutes from my house. I am glad to hear all of the other docs there should take my insurance. Thanks for the note!

[celestemcnair 0]

JC - Thanks so much for your words of wisdom! I haven't had any diet soda in almost two weeks....been drinking alot of Crystal light to help me get all my Water in and then some.......I trying to prepare myself. Three weeks and 1 day until my new life begins!

[jcgrove29 0]

Way to go! Sounds like you are on the right track. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

JC

[ctaylor 0]

Hey! I know Jacksonville is not Central Florida, but I was hoping that I could find someone in Jacksonville banded by Dr. Chappano and ask them a few questions. Thanks, Christi

[Maurdan 2]

Just wanted to introduce myself. Central Florida here, banded in December in Mexico (Dr. Rumbaut). Not exactly where I want to be weight-wise but it's entirely my fault. I'm refocused and rededicated now so I hope to see the lbs start coming off again.

[leedorr 0]

Hi I live in Jacksonville and was banded July 24, 2006. There is a support group here that meets this coming Tuesday at Mandarin Lutheran Church at 6 pm The address is 11900 San Jose Blvd. You are certainly welcome to join us.

[jcgrove29 0]

Hey Celeste, you're getting close to band date. How is the pre-op stuff going?

Also, hi to CTaylor, Maurdan and Leedor.

JC

[BrendaKay 1]

THERE IS A SMALL GROUP OF US GOING TO MEET ON JULY 13TH (FRIDAY) IN SOUTH LAKELAND FOR dinner. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING IT WILL BE AT LAKESIDE VILLIAGE at ROMANO'S macaroni GRILL 1340 Lakeside Villiage Circle, Lakeland, phone #863-686-8135. WE ARE ALL GOING TO MEET AT 6:00 P.M. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, EMAIL ME AT bgraddy@earthlink.net

Your Lap Band Buddy,

Brenda Kay

[celestemcnair 0]

Hey Celeste, you're getting close to band date. How is the pre-op stuff going?

Also, hi to CTaylor, Maurdan and Leedor.

JC

Hi JC. Thanks for remembering. The patient Coordinator says I only need one day of liquids before surgery since I have a bmi under 35.

I'm getting very nervous and hoping I'm making the right decision. I knew for a fact this is what I wanted up to this point. I guess I've just got the jitters.

Celeste

[celestemcnair 0]

THERE IS A SMALL GROUP OF US GOING TO MEET ON JULY 13TH (FRIDAY) IN SOUTH LAKELAND FOR dinner. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING IT WILL BE AT LAKESIDE VILLIAGE at ROMANO'S macaroni GRILL 1340 Lakeside Villiage Circle, Lakeland, phone #863-686-8135. WE ARE ALL GOING TO MEET AT 6:00 P.M. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, EMAIL ME AT bgraddy@earthlink.net

Your Lap Band Buddy,

Brenda Kay

You know I'll be there hopefully with Heather in tow. She moved just a few miles away from me.