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You know, there are over 100 square miles of devastaion. And flooded to boot. America has never dealt with this. How are they suppose to get all the stuff to the ones that need it? Where are they going to put it, in the Water. They have to work on the outskirts of things. Don't get me wrong, of course there has been mistakes. And you know, there wasn't suppose to be that many people there, even though they knew some would stay, I just don't think they ever imagined the numbers. At first glance a few thousand, but within time people kept coming out from where they were taking shelter and it was gigantic numbers. I think the gov. just had no clue on how many people stayed behind. Everybody was told to evacuate and some given help to get out. They were told up to 4 days in advance. I think everybody was in denial and never could of imagined the impact and the levy breaking. I know it was a poor area, but all the more to stay and protect your stuff. We had a sunami warning here about 2 months ago in San Diego and I think my family, out of my whole housing track, was the only family that evacuated. There are about 100 houses here in my immediate track. They finally withdrew the warning, but we stayed gone for the hours predicted. And the Sunami over seas took days to get food and relief to them, not hours. The coast gaurd was removing dead bodies for over 3 months from the water. 3 months. Its all a process. I just think we are Americans and expect instant satisfaction. 9/11 was isolated in 4 areas and easier to deal with. My heart and prayers go out to all the victims of this devastating event. And all the mayham of the shootings, rapes, etc. did not help. One guy on the phone from one of the hosp. while stuck, said they had to form their own gov't inside. They didnt have a choice. And regarding all the violence, the stories are coming from people witnessing them. This is the perfect set up for law breakers. How are they going to get caught.? Whos going to stop them. They feel its a free for all and taking advantage. One lady said 2 children were rapped in the bathroom at the dome and one man said as his sick daughter was being flown to another hosp, he had to try to get out of the city by himself. He couldnt ride in the helicopter. As he was leaving the city, many women were getting rapped and he just had to keep going. How sad these stories are, but preditors will take advantage no matter who they are. Race or economics. I think I worry more about 2 to 3 months down the line than anything immediate. When everybody moves on with their lives and they are still in need and the donations stop rolling in I worry about a home for them, a job for them, shoes on their feet to go get a job. I think America needs to set everyone up for living for at least 6 months, because its the right thing. I think we need to focus on how to keep the help going for a long period of time. Anyways, these are my thoughts.

MaggieMay, I was just curious and wondering why you are chosing the Swedish Band? Do you have a doc over in Wa. that will work with you with that band? I also have heard through the grapevine that the TMA of Tricare has a case before them right now and is reviewing it. This is the highest place that writes the policies. Theres a good chance we will have an answer in the next month or two on whether or not Tricare is going to change their policy.

God....you look so awesome !!!!!!!

Congratulations !!!!!!

I have Tricare and was told they do the Lapband when I called. I was also told countless of times from people, nurses, etc. that the Lapband was covered. But it is not. I think they hear the Lap and ignore the word band, and automatically think you are talking about laparoscopic. Anyways, thats my take on it. I'm 5 months into my denial and appeal and when I call they still are confused. I think we would just be better off using cpt codes. Good luck, Kelly

It is a cross between stomach stapling and the band. The difference is....the band is made of mesh and it is not adjustable. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/464924_print This page has a lot of reading but its a good study on the two in comparison http://www.cstobesity.com/fobi_11(6).pdf#search='vertical%20gastric%20band' here are some pictures to help you out. Good luck.

http://www.huacuz.com/2_gastricband.htm I think he is still using the Lapband.

Wow !!!!! This is definetely a break through. I'm assuming that you have Tricare Prime which is military. Correct? So did you have your Lapband put on at the military hosp. or were you referred out to a civilian? I'm itching to find out more info. How long was your process, because I've in my appeal process for a few months still. Thanks for any info you can provide us.

I'm not sure if its true, but along with monitoring your Protein intake, I've heard zinc. Good luck.

Actually we didn't think it was sweet enough w/out the splenda. We just made it to taste I guess. Maybe you won't need to add any. Good luck trying it though.

I'm not banded yet, but when I was on Atkins I used sugar free Jello and 1/3 less fat Cream cheese. It's kind of like a Jello Cheesecake. After boiling the Water I would throw the water in the blender, add the jello mix, let it blend a bit, add some splenda, then add the softened cream cheese. Pour into a dish and refrigerate. My daughter and I loved it. I can't quarantee the calories though.

I'm in San Diego and have Tricare Prime. I was referred out to a civilian in March. Since then, I and another lady I know both have been denied for the Lapband due to it not being proven and there being a comparable procedure. Since then, the other lady has decided to go with the bypass and will be having her surgery in the next 2 weeks. I, on the other hand, have decided to stay and fight my denial. Between Inamed, myself, and my surgeons office we are trying to put up a good fight. I know they recieved my appeal 2 weeks ago and have confirmation of that, but I am still waiting for their decision. I have searched message boards, yahoo groups, and anything else I can find to see if anyone has been approved for the Lapband in 2005 but have not come across one person. Tricare was covering it in 03 and 04, but stopped. Just like they covered laproscopic, then stopped, but now is covering again. They can't make up their mind. Please feel free to email me and ask me any questions. Us Tricare people need to stick together and keep each other informed on any progress one makes. Good luck.

I just thought I'd pass on some information I have. Today at 1:30pm Eastern time they are showing a live Lapband surgery if anyone is interested in watching it. I can't wait to see it myself. Oh ya, you might want to go to the site a little early because you might have to download there video watcher thingy. http://www.or-live.com/ If you go into their archives they also have many bypass surgeries.

It's nice to see that your persistance paid off. How wonderful. :Bunny

I got my denial letter today from Triwest (which is Tricare technically). It's the insurer for the military. I'm starting the appeal roller coaster, but I have a few questions for you expert bandsters and am seeking some guidance. Tricare Decision: Our determination was based on the following: The Tricare Policy Manual Chapter 1, Section 2.1, indicates that regulations and program policies restrict benefits to those devices, treatments, or procedures for which the safety and efficacy have been proven to be comparable or superior to conventional therapies. Any device, medical treatment, or procedure whose safety and efficacy has not been established is unproven and is excluded from coverage. This exclusion includes all services directly related to the unproven device, medical treatmen, or procedure. This is a factual determination. It sounds to me that they are saying its proven comparable to RNY or VGB so it is denied and/or it hasn't been proven so its denied. So they've got me both ways. Can anyone disect this out and give me their opinion? Also, In the appeal package I have: 1) Doctors re-submittal letter (She said she is going to change it around. I also let her know that Inamed will help her with the appeal.) 2) Personal letter from me 3) Some documentation from obesityonline.com 4) Documentation about the Tricare VA (vertans affairs) policy pages I got from the internet saying its covered for them. (how can one government policy cover it and not another....we are all Federal military (active or not)). 5) ? 6) ? any other ideas or research findings I may add? I appreciate your help and love this website.

its okay. I spent a few days doing research and sent it off the the docs today. I don't need it read.

Would one of you ladies be willing to read and comment on my appeal letter I am writing. I can send it to you. The insurance dept with the doctor is working with Inamed at this time for their part of the appeal.

Thank you for leading me to that website. Its great.

Thank you, and I don't think you sound bossy at all. My first instinct after reading my denial was to prove to them that the band is proven. Your insight, prove it is as good or better than other procedures, is great because as I kept reading it over and over trying not to miss anything I think I read more into it and started getting wishy washy. If that makes sense. Now, wouldn't mentioning the fact that they cover the band for their VA patients part of the proof of it being proven effective? I have spoken w/ Don Mills before and I just left him another message. He is an extremely nice man. I was afraid not to put a personal touch on it. For some reason I thought that was important. So bottom line--Just keep it straight forward.

I too have Tricare. Which they call Triwest here in the San Diego region. (My husband is active Military.) I am going through this process as well. I too have found people with Tricare that were banded, but recently there have been only denials that I have heard about. They will cover Gastric Bypass though in a blink. I'm expecting my denial in a week or so. Then of course I will appeal it. I haven't decided if I am going to appeal it through my docs with the help of Inamed or Obesitylaw.com I am getting prepared for the fight though. I have been lurking on these boards 3 times a day for months and have done much research. I get the impression that the majority of people get denied first and win through appeal. "I'm not giving up" So, my advice to you is: "Pray about it and don't give up."

So, does this mean that aspirin therapy would not be good for bandsters? Forever? Over and over on the news, they say 2 baby aspirin a day is good for heart health.

Hey everyone.....I'm hoping the lapband procedure is in my near future !! My question is, is there anyone that has had the procedure approved from Tricare or Triwest. Maybe any even any military dependants out there. My consultation is March 30th with the Naval Hosp. in San Diego, CA. I know they are currently offering the bypass surgery, but I'm going to push for the lapband. I'm not sure if they will send me out or not. Hoping for a miracle. Thanks, Kelly

Hey, You wouldnt know by any chance if any of the san diego members got their lapband procedure done through the Naval Hosp. or a referral from the Naval Hosp. I have an appt. for a consultation for the bypass surgery with them in 2 weeks, but I was hoping that they would refer me out for the lapband. thanks, kelly