Tracy, I changed jobs 3 times, and surgeons twice, took me nearly 4 years, but I finally got approved and had surgery 7 days ago. DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Yes, changing jobs MAY be needed, but I would consider that a last resort. Have you considered talking to Gary Viscio? He's an attorney that specializes in fighting cases where there are exclusions that are based on physical appearance versus medical necessity. Last time I looked, his service was very reasonable considering. He is also a WLS patient himself. His link can almost always be found here on OH somewhere.

OKAY ALL WE HAVE COME UP WITH A DAY AND A PLACE - NOW IT IS UP TO YOU TO COME - THE ADDRESS FOR THE MEETING IS 822 HOMESTEAD ROAD IN ORANGEBURG!! Cindy Stampe will be our hostess for our meetings and if you need to contact her please do so at [email protected]. I think this is going to be a wonderful help to us and will also give us the opportunity to socialize with those who are going through the same things we are going through and trying the same things we are. We can share our victories and our defeats and know that there will be a multitude of support and encouragement there. So come everyone lets have a great night Saturday evening at Cindy's house at 6 PM. Can't wait to meet many of you. Carolyn

Hi! Another March 20th person! I'm so excited. I'm not packed yet but I've decided what I'm going to pack. I'm going to do my grocery shopping in a couple of days as I have a busy weekend. I'm another lucky one with no major pre op dietary restrictions. I eat a normal breakfast the day before surgery, then for lunch I start on full liquids, then for dinner I start on clear liquids. I get sent home on full liquid for the first month. I'm so glad I don't have a long time on clear liquids. I have had a lot of concern about my psych evaluation. I have had to wait over 6 months to have the surgery because I failed my initial psych evaluation last summer. I had to see the staff psychologist a week ago for another evaluation and the doctor said "the team would have to meet and make a decision." I haven't heard anything yet, but so far everything seems to be falling into place. My psychologist told me today that if they cancelled my surgery because of the psych review to tell them I felt they were being discriminatory against mentally ill people and to please contact my personal psychologist who knows me and has deemed me stable. So it's on baby, this time next week I'll be a loser!!! Good luck everyone! Can't wait to compare experiences!

Congrats Amie on your loss!!!! I had not such a good day today...i can't believe i am struggling so much..grrr. I will have to try the atkins shakes...i almost picked them up the other day and decided not too...darn. Thanks for your encouragement! Rita

Good luck!