Hello to everyone

Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good evening to everyone. Now lets see who is here and where are you in your journey, pre-op, post-op and researcher, lukers and anyone else who has fallen upon this website... I have been going through many different medical testing since I have had a mild heart attack which has raised the alert bar in other area's, but doing what I have to do... I have been waiting to hear from the insurance company since they have had my information since 11-2-04 so yesterday I called to find out and how convenient for them that their system was down...I have been denied twice and this is my appeal for the surgery....so I'm still waiting. I am 5' 11 and weight 323 I am 153 lbs over weight and I have gained 39 lbs since seeing my surgeon....oh no did I just say that Now tell me about you... Christine

Good Morning Christine. Well I am less than 2 weeks til surgery. I have an appointment with the surgeon today, support group tonight, Blood work on Thursday and final cardiac appt on Fri. (I had a stent put in my heart lasy Jan) I am getting over a bad cold and hope that has no bearing on my ending surgery as I have 13 days to be fully OAK for surgery. I am excited beyound belief and actually grateful the dr made me quit smoking to do this that was a bonus :>, and one my husband is most thankful for. My hubby booked me a full day at the spa on the 16th so I can get pampered and relaxed the day before surgery (LOL Like I will be able to relax). CDPDP was awesome to deal with for insurance. Approved in less than a week. Wishing you well. HUGS Mary

Mary your day is right around the corner we can start the count down.....can you belive that the time has past and you will soon be on the losing side....I am so happy for you I have been following you for a while and with all that you have been through, well I will be praying for you that you have a succesful surgery and speedy recovery..... So glad you stopped smoking, I bet you can breath much better now and hubby must be excited that you have stopped too. As for the pampering you might want that for after surgery too when you are able to get around just to feel good....but before surgery is good to and your right I don't know if you will relax.....you have so much to be excited about.... Hope to see you on the losing side too.... Christine

Christine, Well you know about me hun but I am posting anyways..... Thanks for the call yesterday and I sure hope you hear something either way so you can move forward with what ever it is you need to do....... Who knows maybe we will have the surgery around the same time..... Well next week I am down to 3 months to go....~crossing her fingers~ talk to you soon hun.... Debra P

Hi sweetie Yes I am glad I called you too I enjoy talking to you we get to laughing and get new ideas on what to do next..... I am keeping my finger crossed for you too and hope to have surgery with you this year... 3 more months to go it really is going by fast and before you know it you are on the losing side. Christine

Hi Tina and welcome to the board you are a lurker no more, wow the 12th it's will be here before you know it get your house prepared for the losing side, you will be in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery...... I hear life is grand on the losing side. Please do come back and keep us posted on your progress...we would love to hear from you..... Christine

Hi, Christine: I am pre-op, I guess. I am in the process of obtaining medical clearance. My pcp would not give me clearance until I have a sleep study. I am scheduled for pulmonary testing on 1/10 and see the pulmonologist on 1/11. Hopefully, after that appointment, I will have medical clearance. Then on to the "courtesy" letter to my insurance company. I hope to get surgery date before the end of the month or at least in February. I am 5' 4", and weighed 348 when I began this journey in November 2004. I am down to 335 as I am trying to be conscientious about my eating in preparation for my future life style changes. I have been following your postings and keep praying for you to get your go ahead. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless. Brenda

Why Brenda it's nice to hear from you so glad you showed up today....I will keep you in my prayers for that pcp to clear you for your surgery... I wish you luck through out your journey to a healthier and happier lifestyle... I have been off the board for about two weeks do to all the testing I was going through and I have a big test neclear (4hour) test scheduled for the 18th of this month....and I'm sorry to you and everyone I was not around to give my support to, we know that this is a roller coaster ride and what a ride it has been in the pre-op stage, but I look forward to the ride as a post-op too..... you are one step closer to becoming a loser so hang on in there your time is almost here.... Good luck on the 10 and 11th and I will keep my fingers crossed for you... Keep us posted on your results and progress. Christine

Hi Christine, I finally got a surgery date which is, March 1st. I am still waiting approval from the Ins. Co. I started this process back in April. Went through all the necessary testing, and did the 6 months of weigh ins required by my ins. co. I was supposed to have the WLS last Oct but I got very sick with diverticulitis, and had to have colon surgery. So...here I am, counting the days. I am VERY excited and a little nervous about the surgery. I must say I do have a lot of confidence in my surgeon. He did a great job on my colon surgery, and that was no piece of cake. That is my story, I will let you all know if and when I get my approval. Please keep your fingers crossed for me! Gail

Gail I'm so glad you recovered well from you colon surgery and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you with the insurance company. and oh yeah Congratulations you got a date that is wonderful, and March 1st oh so close. Before you know it you will be on the losing side....and you have waited so long. Way to go Gail, keep us posted. Christine