Rab607

Dear NavyWife, I have Tricare standard, the old 80/20 plan and live in Region 1 in Connecticut. Are you haveing trouble with approval from Tricare or are you having trouble with getting your primary care doctor on board? I had no problems at all with approval....was told they approved on an individual basis, case by case. Its been a while since your post, hopefully this has all worked itself out already and this is a mute point for you. Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/191/170

I have been gone awhile....did not realize how old this thread was! Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/191/170

Alex, Funny you should bring this up....I was just thinking "Gee....I might need a fill.... I can eat almost anything I want" Until tonight of course.....when if allowed to....I would have eaten myself into a carbohydrate slumber! My old trusted friend Pasta and marinara sauce showed up (Ok....so I cooked it) and 3 bites into it the old golf ball reminded me......screamed at me....."NOT SO FAST!" Literally....my old eating habits reappeared as If they never missed a beat as I attempted to scoff down a healthy size bowl of pasta, sauce and assorted meats with more cheese than one cow could have provided! How quickly one can revert to one's old eating habits.....if it weren't for my not so new and trusted friend.....the band! I dont need a fill just yet......I need to continue on the path I was on before I got detoured....or lured away by old habits that will never go quietly, that are always lurking in the shadows! Thankfully.....my band is always one step ahead! I love it! Joann 07/18/2003 Dr. Valin 307/191/170

Prior to banding I often had problems with reflux at night. I thought that problem had resolved itself until I recently had my 4th fill...and since have had incredible reflux problems at night. It has happened once everynight since my last fill and I have aspirated one time, maybe twice. I dont eat before bed and even stopped drinking even Water before bed to ensure there was nothing in my pouch when I layed down. It hasnt made a differance. I am not particularly tight....I can almost eat 1 chicken thigh comfortably. I plan to call my doc this morning but wondered if anyone on this site has had similiar problems after a fill. Thanks for any insight. Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307 213 170

Since being banded I have been supplementing my Protein intake with EAS "AdvantEdge" Carb Control shakes....the only one I like is the strawberry cream, the vanilla I dont care for, my husband likes the chocolate....you can get them in most department/grocery stores, but Walmart I find is the cheepest. They have 110 calories, 15 grams of protein, 0 net carbs, and less than 1 gram of sugar....I drink one in the car on the way to work, and one in the evening when I get home. I like them especially on the days when I am tight....I can always get these down. When we pack a cooler to go somewhere.....I pack those and some flavored water! Good Luck! Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/215/170

Interesting.....I gained 67 pounds in Nursing school! Joann

Donali, Thanks for that info....it sounds just like me....and it really does make sense. I had some reflux the other night after eating late and going to bed. First time it happened since I was banded, boy I sure dont miss that! Thanks again....Joann

I woke up today feeling as if I had been hit by a truck. I have a touch of something....fever of 102.7, bodyaches, headache and the like.....what worries me is the little bit of nausea I have. I havent had the urge to vomit.....but am afraid of slipping my band if that happens. I am about 90 minutes from the doc who banded me....and I know he would see me quickly if it were necessary. I would have every bit of the saline removed from this thing to prevent slippage if I were to start vomitting. I am hoping to avoid that at all cost since I have very good restriction now. I am trying to drink as much as possible to avoid dehydration and I have been taking the liquid Reglan and Tylenol the doc prescribed post-op for me. Has anyone out there needed to have the band fill removed due to a secondary illness?? And even if I did have the fill removed, do you think the simple restriction of the bands placement still might leave me at risk for slippage if vomitting were to occur?? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.....Joann Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/229.5/170

I was wondering if anyone had a problem with hair loss. I have read in other places that some have had this problem often in the 3-4 month after banding which is where I am right now. I am getting enough Protein.....at least 60 grams/day with the help of Protein drinks on some days. I have also recently doubled up on my multi Vitamin. Its not coming out in clumps or anything....but there is a marked increase in what coming out in the comb and brush. I just was wondering what I could expect in the future, and when I might seen it slow. Any insight would be helpful......thanks in advance. Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/256/170

WOW LEO......Looking Good.....your a hottie! You must feel great.....keep up the good work! Joann 07/18/03 307/233/170

I went semi-private as well. Told my family and very close friends. I did not tell my co-workers....I am a nurse. Those in the medical profession are no different in their opinions regarding WLS. I told everyone I was having an abdominal hernia repair...just in case I eventually need to have my gallbladder out... to explain my 2 weeks away from work. I needed all of those two weeks to be ready to go back to work as well. If I had a desk job, I could have been back much sooner. Everyone at work just thinks I have made diet changes and started going to the gym.... Oh....if it were only that easy! Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/248/170

Hi Misty, Your in a tough situation with no insurance and your husband being unemployed. My only advice to you is to keep reading on this site and others and arm yourself with as much information as possible. When the time comes and your able to move forward in the process you will be ready. Have you chosen a Doc? Most dont charge for the informational sessions they offer....I would attend a few of those now, decide on the Doc you want then learn everything you need to know about what that Doc requires pre-op. Then when the time comes, you'll be ready to go and there wont be anything to hold you back. Good luck to you..... Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/248/170

I have worn my fat like a suit of armor for years....along with my hair, been hiding behind that too. I am down almost 60 pounds since I was banded and I am starting to get uncomfortable as well. I have security issues that stem from sexual abuse as a child and adolesent teen. I am very large breasted and have been since I was 10 years old. I was a child with a childs mind and spirit in an adult body. I got alot of unwanted attention, and as I grew up I learned to shelter my body with fat. With that said, today I am a very capable woman able to protect myself against unwanted advances, yet my instincts remain at high alert, never quite sure and ready to suit up at a moments notice. I have discussed this at length in therapy over the years. For me I just have to keep reminding myself, that I am in good hands now....I am protecting me the way others did not in the past. I am married to a wonderful understanding man who supports me in any dress size and works very hard at making me feel safe. Its a daily battle, but one worth fighting. Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/248/170

So Leo....when can I expect it to stop or slow down??

A sassy new short hair cut is absolutly in my future! I have hidden behind my long hair for years! I am not sure why I thought people would not notice my body's expansion if my hair was big and long is beyond me. The bigger I got the bigger my hair got! : ) Actually its not as bad as it sounds.....I have held on to if for a long time......both my fat and my long hair.....as I lose one....I am closer and closer to giving up the other too. I have always said once I lost the weight.....I would get a cute new short hair cut.....another thing I have deprived myself of all these years due to my weight! I have said that a hundred times...."when I lose the weight ...I'm gonna..." (you fill in the blank)! Why is it so many of us tie all the good things we might have in our life to weather or not "we lose the weight"? As if people dont notice my double chin cause I have long hair?? Well, its getting smaller.....and I am determined to work up the courage to cut these locks off!!! Maybe this hair loss I am having is just the thing to make it happen...... Joann Dr. Valin 07/18/03 307/256/170

Shelly, Thanks for the reply....I am not going to see my doc till mid December....so if you dont mind please let me know what he/she has to say. I appreciate it. Anyone else with some insight??

Hi, I have been trying to limit carbs...i.e bread, rice, potato, Pasta, flour and I consume little to no sugar....i do consume all kinds of veggies, Beans etc....fruits in limited quantity as well. This is what I ate today.... Wake up...on the way to work....EAS strawberry Cream Protein drink (replaces the coffee I use to drink) Breakfast......2 egg omelet w/cheese & mushroom lunch.......3 oz tenderloin, small bowl of salad (didnt finish whole meal)...dinner....ceaser salad w/ chicken....small slice of melon Snack....sugar free popsicle or another EAS drink I always have hard boiled eggs on hand to eat or to make egg salad with, as well as tuna. Often I will eat tuna a few cracker for lunch. On Sundays I like to cook a whole chicken (the biggest one I can find)....have a leg and some veggies for dinner and make chicken salad out of the rest for lunches during the week. I do miss pizza....I havent had any since a month or so before surgery....but I have a hard time with bread so I have been afraid to try it. I am able to eat more than the "1/2 cup rule" I hear so much about.....I have had one fill 1.7cc but I am eating far less than pre-band and making better choices and the weight is still coming off. I dont miss the bloated, unable to move, have to unbutton my pants feeling I use to have when leaving the dinner table. I stop when I am satisfied (physically....if it were up to my head, I would be at the table all night) I imagine I will need another fill sometime soon....but as long as the weight keeps coming off, I am happy. Hope this helps, good luck to you. Joann 07/18/03 307/262/170

Linda, What a bummer....your a nurse so you know all the things you mentioned while upsetting to the patient can be par for the course with any post-op patient....especially fever, IV infiltrate etc. My hunch is when your husband starts to see you improving, feeling better, having more energy and being happier.....he will remember why he supported your decision to have surgery. My husband is a worrier....every ache, pain, moan and groan he thought I should have called the doc about. In a few short weeks this will all be a blur....in the meantime, be good to yourself......Joann

I am hoping someone out there can give me a little bit of advice. I was banded 07/18 and I am down roughly 40 pounds give or take...(I continue to torture myself daily on the scale). My probem is PB'ing. I recognized I was in the "soft food" mode and have over the last few days made an effort not to eat soft food as to maximize the effectivness of the band. Well, I cant seem to tolerate alot without Pb'ing. I tried some steak tonight....very moist, cooked rare...and even had something to dip it in and still after my third bite brought it all back up. I chewed till it was mush! I guess this is why I have been eating softer/mushy stage type food...like egg salad, tuna salad, Soups, chili and the like, usually with a few crackers. I dont generally have a problem with salad and/or veggies, if I go slow. I have only had one fill (1.7cc's) and I am not sure if I should even have another one if I am not able to eat "regular" food now. I guess my concern is, if I cant keep down steak, chicken and other "solid" Proteins, is it sabotage to be eating the softer high Protein foods, or is it I am adjusting my eating habits accordingly....due to the band? I still am eating less of the softer foods than I would have pre-band. I would like to be able to eat a small peice of steak or chicken some day....but I also want to play by the rules so to speak to maximize my weight loss. Any insight someone might have would be welcomed. Thanks.....Joann P.S. 12 of these 40 were pre-op....but I still count em! Dr. Valin 07/15/03 307/267/170

Mine is lower right ab

I like the ESA advantage low carb strawberry cream. I drink at least two a day! The vanilla and chocolate, I thought were both nasty.

Kelly, I had incredible spasms of the esophagus for almost 2 weeks after surgery. Had them while drinking liquids, and without drinking liquids. I had them throughout the day while eating/drinking nothing! What my doc told me was that I was one of the lucky ones and probably had some restriction with the band just being in place. Your stomach is still healing and getting use to having something new (that was never intended to be there) inside it. You are swollen inside as well, which further restricts you. I bet though, even after the natural swelling due to the surgical procedure subsides, you will find you have some restriction....as was the case with me. I have lost 25 pounds...since surgery and have been eating pretty much whatever I want, but I have listened to my body, when I am satisified, I stop....which for me is way before I physically realize I am full! I have had three PB'ing episodes when trying to eat to much or to fast.....Oh and I havent mentioned.....I havent had my first fill yet! That is scheduled for later this week. So there is definite restriction already in place. Hopefully that is the case with you too. I did however have a EKG to make sure I wasnt having a heart attack....you cant be too careful with "chest pain/pressure" you always have to rule that out, so if you have not spoken with your doc I suggest you do as well. Good luck to you...I know how uncomfortable those spasms are! Joann : ) 07/18/03 307/273/170

Required documentation of medical need.....faxed over by surgeons office....received approval 1 week later. Almost too easy!

I live in Connecticut Tricare region 1. I was banded 07/18/03 with Dr. Valin in New Haven, CT. I dont know if being tricare standard helped or not....it may have. I dont need a referral for anything....they pay 80% I pay 20% but I have the freedom to go where I want and see who I want, when I want. I refused to switch to prime when the push was on to convert everyone years ago to keep the flexability standard allowed. I dont think what they will or will not cover is much different though....its the same policy, standard just pays for less. I think you will still be covered, you may have to just jump a few more hurdles. Good luck to you. Joann 07/18/03 307/277.5/170

Yes military Tricare (standard, not prime) Husband is active duty United States Coast Guard for 22 years.