I have Cigna also, and they told me the same, at least two months before they will send the approval and then your not even guarneteed. Sorry misspelled. Nice to know he is easy to talk to.  Laurie is as well.  Hopefully he is willing to go to bat for you if Cigna is a pain in the butt about the approval. Has your appointment between meeting him and the others been quick? How much time off do you think you will take when you get banded?

Are you looking forward to the lovely liquied diet?

Let us hear from you!  Go to www.rubycruises.com, and in the upper right hand corner, you may pre-register (at no cost) for next year’s cruise!  It will be once again on Mariner of the Seas, sailing on a week long adventure to the Western Caribbean (Labadee, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel) from Port Canaveral, near Orlando . 

For pricing and information, click on my profile and check out my latest blog. To date, we have nearly 200 OH’ers registered for this cruise!  WOW!  You’ll see lots of familiar faces, and some new ones too!  We currently have bariatric surgeons, a plastic surgeon, a bariatric coordinator, a nutritionist, and a fitness instructor joining in for next year’s activities.  BUT…..this is also your cruise VACATION, and a chance to meet, mingle and CELEBRATE with your fellow WLS’ers!! 

ALL are welcome – pre-op’s, post-op’s, of ALL TYPES of WLS, family members and friends, so fill out your pre-registration form today!

Watch the board for more information and updates coming SOON!!

Check out my profile for pictures of MARINER OF THE SEAS from a cruise I did with my family in 12/04, and from just two weeks ago when I did an inspection tour for this year's CRUISE TO LOSE!  Make sure you check out the pictures of the Royal Promenade, ROCK CLIMBING WALL(!!!!), 18-Hole Mini Golf Course, ICE SKATING RINK (again, !!!!!!) among other points of interest!  The Royal Promenade has café’s and bistro’s, and Promenade Cabins overlooking the “main street” – these areas are actually “Inside cabins” retrofitted with a picture window overlooking the promenade!  NO OTHER CRUISE LINE offers such a great, inexpensive alternative to what would otherwise be an “Inside”!!  Each day there are various activities here, including parades, parties (70’s and 80’s parties, Mardi Gras, etc.), and while at sea, the shops along the mall are open for business!

Go to www.rubycruises.com to PRE-REGISTER – upper right hand corner.  If you have any questions, you may PM me here, email me at [email protected], or call me TOLL FREE at 866-685-RUBY (7829). 

Don’t miss the boat!  C’mon and join in the FUN!!!  Talk to you SOON, and see you ONBOARD!  Remember to watch here for UPDATES!   ~ Terri

Hi, It's good to see some Vermonter on the site.  Yes I am waiting also.  My first meeting was in June.  I am one of Dr. Forgione's patients for the lap band.   I am from Bridport, VT. How are you doing? Jeanette

>>Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents >>pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the >>counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, >>  spilling it on the floor. >> >>He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in >>most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the >>floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. >> >>Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this >>to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. >> >>He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven >>or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked! Suddenly he saw >>his >>kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, >>knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up >>this >>monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and >>sticky. >> >>And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears >>welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but >>he'd >>made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a >>spanking. But his father jus****ched him. >> >>Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged >>him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the >>process! >> >>That's how God deals with us.. We try to do something good in life, >>but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a >>friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour. >> >>Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of >>Anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives >>us, >>Even though some of our mess gets all over Him. >> >>But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make >>pancakes" for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and >>then >>they'll be glad we tried... >> >>I was thinking. and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be >>healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be >>said, >>sometimes, "I love you" can heal & bless! Remind every one of your >>friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you >>would >>be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like >>this can do. >> >>Please pass some of this love on to others....suppose one morning you >>Were called to God; do all your friends know you love them? >>

OH Magazine Issue 3 2007 is on its way to your mailboxes! The latest issue of OH Magazine features OH spokesperson Jackie Guerra, who updates our readers on her story since we last heard from her in Issue 2 2006. Her husband, Bill Torres, also is featured in an article titled Together where he talks about his relationship with Jackie. Readers will also be treated to the story of OH member Ramon Lopez, who was recently seen on the hit tv show Big Medicine. Other articles include Heart Health by cardiologist Shalizeh Shokooh; Completing Your Journey by Dr. Edward Domanskis; and Safe Exercise for Arthritic Joints by Mark Allen, MPT. We also provide delicious recipes; fitness q&a; and support group news. If you are already a subscriber, your issue is on its way. If you want to subscribe to this bi-monthly publication for the low cost of $25 for six issues, click on the purple word "magazine" on the top of the screen and follow the directions to subscribe.