I picked some up at Costco as well. I thought they were actually pretty good.

Hello, gals...

I have not heard anything positive from my insurance company as of yet, and have been staying away from the boards.  I'm just so frustrated and disgusted with this whole process.  I have no idea how anyone survives the pre-approval process!  In spite of that, I am still working on moving forward.  Still losing weight, still following my diet (with the exception of one stress and PMS induced binge!), and have amped up my workout program. 

In the interim, though, I have not heard form my CM.  I had left a message and not gotten a response - totally not his fault.  I actually really like him, but this program has only recently been approved (lap band as an option was only added in Feb) and he's the ONLY obesity CM.  IN the beginning of any program, there's TONS of applicants who have just been waiting for the pilot year.  I should know!  I'm one of them!  So, anyway - great guy with an unfortunately HUGE caseload.  So, I called him again yesterday and left a question on his machine so that then I knew he would call me back to answer it.  Did he ever! 

It was a stupid, stupid question, and one that I should have known the answer to:  I'm sending a confirmed weight from my MD's office and asked if I needed to continue sending weights to him every other week.  Now, I know that I don't have to, but the question was based upon the premise that my MD's office failed to fax my last confirmed weight - the issue two weeks ago that nearly got me dropped from the program.  What I meant to say was, "in case the office doesn't send one."  I didn't.  So, I get a return message that basically says that that is information I should know, and it's alarming that I don't.  That maybe I'm not really paying attention or reading my packet. 

I called him back and left another message - no response yet - and once again failed to say what I wanted to say.  What I wanted to stress was how much it upset me when my doctor forgot to fax the last weight and almost cost me the program, and to explain that I have this ridiculous, almost pathological level of anxiety ALL THE TIME anyway, and that is why I had asked the question.  By then, though, I was once again too upset to really even begin to put it into words, and just wanted to not cry.  So what I did say was, "Yes, but I have some confusion over what that means; my information packet says that I have to still do two years of case management.  All that's meant so far is turning in weights, so I incorrectly assumed that I would have to continue to do so."  What the heck?  I just freeze up and get upset every time I have to talk to anyone who can make a decision about this, and I don't know why!!!  I feel like telling him, "Dude, this feels like I'm sabotaging myself - and totally sounds like it too!!! - but I'm just overwhelmed by this whole process and don't want to bother you with my stupid, neurotic issues, because I know that you're job is too big right now, dealing with I don't even know how many others exactly like me." 

So, that's where I am with the insurance.  I've never even had to deal with an insurance company on this level before.  But, like I said, I am still accomplishing a lot and feeling really, really good about my own progress... just hoping that I don't get thwarted by an insurance company or my own voicelessness. 

Thanks for listening... I know I ramble. 

Heather

   I had my surgery with Dr. Patterson in Vancouver back in April.   The nurses and staff were very nice and I was completely happy with my stay there.  I hope everything goes smooth and your recovery is quick.
                                                                       Angie

I am from southern Oregon.  I hope to have my surgery this month.  Insurance just approved.  It was good to see some positive posts, lately it seemed kind of harsh on some of the main posts.

I am glad I could share.  Please share your thoughts about the shake.