Hello...

First time poster here... I happened to find this site while searching on (of all things) "Citrus of Magnesium" since I wasn't sure what it is. Now that i have found out what it is, I wish I didn't find out...  ::) That being said, I am happy that my date is finally set.  I first saw Dr. Kane on 3/8/07 when I weighted in at 305.5 (BMI 39.8).  I went for the six month supervised diet and lost 16 pounds of so by September and I now weigh 288. After a lot of struggles with BCBS-Illinois (go figure ::) )I finally was approved after 6 weeks of bugging them and one appeal on October 18th. I am now scheduled for my procedure on Tuesday, November 13th - a short 11 days away. 

Hi George - Welcome to the IL board and I'm glad you "stumbled" upon us.  Congratulations on your upcoming big day.  I personally do not know your surgeon but I hear great things about the Kane Center so I trust you are in great hands. You are doing really well with your wl pre-op.  Way to go!   Hope you keep us posted and stop in for our daily roll call.  If you have any questions, conerns, commets.... Please post them.  That's what we are all here for.  If we can't help, we'll find someone that can. Take Care and good luck on your next phase of this amazing journey. Christina

how do I get my signature to work?  All it shows up as is text and I have mine from the same place as yours.. 

Hi George, Welcome!!!  We are so glad to have you here I noticed you have html in your signature line.  The secret is to copy and paste the actual ticker not the html code if that was what you were trying to do.  Here is a link to all kinds of cool tutorials for your profile and the website: http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/tutorials.html Here is one for your signature line: http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/howtoaddasignature.html And one for a ticker: http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/howtoaddaticker.html If you need any thing else please let us know at [email protected] Take care, Kathy

Hi George    Glad you found us!  Citrus Mag........YUK     Now that you found us stay in touch!    We have fun on this board along with the best support of people ever! Pam

Welcome George, glad you found us.

Welcome George....I am also having the Lap/Band on monday Nov. 5th, with the same group of doctors as you.  I wish you alot of luck on your journey. This board is the best.  Many wonderul and caring people.

Welcome George and contratulations on beating those demons at BCBS. You are in great hands with the doc's at the Kane Group. At which hospital will you be having your procedure?

I really wanted to have it at St. Alexius but since I am in a hurry to get it (I am paying for COBRA health benefits right now since I lost my job in July) I had them get me in ASAP which, unfortunately means I will be at Alexian Brothers.  Nothing against AB, I just happen to live in Dundee which is a lot shorter drive to St.A than to AB. 

Welcome to a great board George.  Congrats on getting your surgery set up.  I hate hearing bad things about BCBS IL that's what I have.  I am still doing my 6 month diet, which isn't going well so that scares me. I go to the same Dr's as you.  Mine is Peter Rantis though.  The whole office has been great there.  Where is your surgery going to be? Stick around and let us know how you are doing and post often!