I'm approved

Woo Hoo! I'm officially approved for surgery. I'm BCBS of TN (even though I live in Missouri) and they were fine to work with. I have a case manager. There are only a couple of slots left for surgery this year as my surgeon is taking a long holiday break. I'm hoping for Dec 15 or 17 but have to wait for a call from the office manager to see if I was fast enough to get a 2009 date. Cross your fingers for me. I hope to hear tomorrow or Thurs.

I had to lose 10% and I was slow. I just started tracking my calories on Spark People and I love that program. If the food you ate isn't there, you can create it and add the nutrients and save to favorites. It tracks Carbs, Pro, and fat, but also calcium, sodium, fiber and a few other things. FASCINATING to see a pie chart of your food. You can print it out. I was actually fooling myself with my calories. I thought I was doing 1000 to 1200 but it was more like 1500 to 1700, so NO WONDER it took me a while.

My new recumbent bike, Big Bertha, has been a big help to me. I am only doing 25 min a day, but I go 6 miles and burn a little over 100 calories and it doesn't cause PAIN. It's improved my mood and my fitness already.

I'm going for a lap band, so I won't be the incredible melting woman, but it will be a help I'm sure. I agree that the forced weight loss pre op was helpful in getting to know my triggers and bad habits. I love having a big ole team of folks rooting for me. I have you guys, a support group that meets monthly at the surgeon's office, plus work, plus quilting friends, inking friends, and family. My husband has NOT been a support over the last 30 yrs, but he's been nicer lately and helpful. Surprise, surprise. My kids are far away, but eager for me to get more active.

Move over on that loser's bench. I still need a nice wide place to sit on it!!
Ronda

I am so happy for you, we have plenty of room onthe bench(we take up less space these days) I'm crossing my fingers for your 2009 date(and I have a good feeling).  Keep us posted.

Ronda,



Yay! Congrats. I hope you can get in before the end of the year.

Here on the BMI>50 board our bench is extra deep and has some extra cushioning. But there's always room for more folks!!

((HUGS))

Patti

I am so so happy for you...  yippee....... You and I will not be that far apart with our surgeries.. we can share our experiences along the way.. I am so glad you have all that support... it really means a lot for people to be there rooting for you....

Well I can tell you this for sure.. I am certainly rooting for you.... you are really a special person and you really deserve this..

I will pray that you got in time to have it this year.. will make this Christmas so special...

AWESOME NEWS RONDA!  Happy for you!  One giant step closer.......   Whether it happens before the end of the year or is your Jan New Year's gift may the time feel like it flies by for you!!!! 

Just wanted to point out to you, in case you never checked them out  (A long time ago I started out wanting a Lapband) , check out the Realize band website it is really good. 

http://www.realize.com/dtcf/pages/mysuccess.htm

Thanks, you guys. I've got a date: Dec 15!! 

Donna, I've been on Realize website. Will go there again. They have a nutrition tracking program but it's not user friendly. You can't eat half an apple and track it. I'm giving my surgeon's nurse feedback on this site as it's a cool concept that you input data and your dietitian can see it in the office.

I read your post.  I am so happy for you.  The time will come so fast - you won't believe it.  If you think you are excited now, wait until you wake up the day after surgery.  Hard to explain, you have to experience it for your self.  Oops, you will won't you. (laugh)