February 2006: Does my insurance cover this?? Does it? Does it?? (I'm a type A personality) 2 days later .. . Well Ann, your insurance does cover it, but there is a 12 month supervised diet requirement, and we can help you with that, and help with your appeal after 5 months (My doctor's insurance people are NOT type A, which is good for both of us) June 2006: Have you sent the appeal in yet? Have you? Pleeeeeeease? (I'm still type A) Ann, our surgeon works with three other doctors, and we file the insurance for all of them. Call us in 5 days. June 2006 5 days later: What do you mean you are out of town????? June 2006 8 days later, blue cross blue shield office: What do you mean they filed for a lap band, I wanted gastric bypass?????(I'm still type A, but Blue Cross Blue Shield isn't) Same Day, my doctor's insurance people: Hello, we are unable to come to the phone right now, our offices are flooded . .. June 28, 2006 Hello, I got my letter saying I was approved!!!! When can I have surgery?? What?? Not until YOU get a letter???? July 15 2006 What do you mean you haven't gotten a letter yet????? At this point, my surgeon's patient representation, whom I adore, steps in and assures me that they will go ahead in give me a pre-op appointment for August 1st, but that the surgeon is booked up well into August. I listen to her calm voice, remembering that she too has had this surgery, and that all of his other patients want this jsut as much as I do. I resolve to put it out of my mine until August 1st, and then take the several weeks after to prepare. There was a cancellation. I will have my surgery 11 days from today. God is good, and thru Him, I will get the house straight, the meals cooked, the pre-surgery tests done, the dog boarded, my closet organized, my diet needs planned, and my family taken care of. Oh, and did I mention that I am a teacher, with school starting? None of it matters, come on August 10th!!!! But if ya'll have any words of wisdom out there, they would be deeply, and desperately appreciated!

I printed out a bunch of those sheets. Great site!!

Hi, I just got to the board, too--and the time is really flying by,just today!, reading all of you and making my own first posts. You guys are great. Its definitely hitting me that I better get my derriere in gear. I've been counting down to the big day in a fairly laid-back manner, apparently. I'm so excited for things to start, but maybe I've been supressing some feelings or avoiding thoughts about the drastic change waiting on the other side of surgery. (Hmm...) I'm so thankful I got to this board!! On the subject of packing lists--[I tend to need Sesame Street basics]--anybody care to share a specific suitcase list??? 8- l I'm sure I'll find it very useful...while saying "Duh" repeatedly. Big Thanks to everybody and their posts, "Ramona" Lisa

Kristi, Good Luck...you will have to save us a seat on the loser's bench after Tuesday! Make room, there looks like there is a lot of you on August 1st! What a great day to start your new life! Let me know what flavor of SF Jello you like best.... tee hee... Seriously, Good luck and let us know how you are doing! Heather T.

Suzanne, Sure you don't want to whip up a little brochure to publish or something? Your ideas are awesome! Creative & clever. At the very least you should send in a freelance article somewhere. So helpful, fun, & terrific touchstones for when we're struggling. Thanks, Lisa