gloriouslady

I had surgery in 2007 before Tricare standard approved.. then when they approved, they reimbursed me for the hospital visit (but not the doctor). I believe you'll be covered and do fine.

I got a unfill last week and did not get any instructions as to what to eat or drink. so I've been enjoying eating moderate portions sizes and drinking lots of water. Even my constipation has ceased since I can take my herbal laxative pills again! I go to see my doctor on monday so I hope he'll tell me what to do! I had an endoscope on last Friday and the specialist said my band had slipped higher on my stomach which was causing the problems with PB, and hard to eat most foods until later in the day.. I can live off protein drinks for a while, so that's no problem, real food was a challenge for me!

I know I do,, sometimes I hear a gurggling sound and then the water or food goes down. My band is not a pleasant feeling, I believe my stomach is sensitive (wouldn't surprise me since my whole system is sensitive to most things). I wonder how people are having such wonderful experiences with the band and mine has been a learning process (almost 10 months) that now I've had to have the saline removed to determine why I have acid reflux (never in my lifetime) and the food hurts going down-

I too have let the band and myself down, but I have realized that the band is just a tool and weight lost is a multi-tasked process. My job has me so stressed out and I'm so tired most of the time, I ate the wrong foods out of habit. I need counseling to determine why I sabatoge myself, since I self-paid for this thing! The good news Is we all have a second, third and fourth chance to make things right in the world, so thank God you and I didn't do damage to ourselves! I'm going to get my band refilled (slowly) monitor my food better and slow down my life to benefit from the band and all it has to offer. There is another day- so keep your chin up!

Did you have an endoscope to determine if the band had slipped? I just had the procedure last week and prior to that had all my fluid removed. Now I have no fluid in, and can eat anything and most importantly I can drink all the water I want! I was unable to do that and food hurt going down until the evening.. I go to the doctor on Monday to determine what's going on, but I hope I don't have to have the band removed and replaced- since I'm a self-pay

I too am having quite a challenge with my band.. I have lost 41 pounds since being banded (Nov 07) but it's a very slow lost and most of it was the first 4 months. Now nothing seems to go down and Monday I'm going in again to have more saline removed to see if the burping, and acid reflux will go away. I miss the veggies too and all the other healthful food I used to eat.. I'm not sorry I got it, but I know my case is not the norm, so I'll have to exercise to lose the rest of the weight, which is what I have no time to do.. Kindof a catch 22... I've only made myself throw up 3 times (once last weekend while on vacation) but have nothing to eat that seems to work...

I haven't posted in a while, but I had the surgery Nov 8th- 2007 and at that time Tricare did not approve the surgery, so I was a self-pay. Then in Feb 208, Tricare approved the procedure retroactively to Feb 2007. I have submitted my claim form and am awaiting reimbursement from the hospital. If I am denied, I will contact my lawyer as well, since Tricare now approves the procedure and I qualify. I don't expect all my money back, but even $5 to 6K would be helpful..

I was banded Nov 2007 and now I find out I can be reimbursed for the self-pay of $13,500. What forms did you fill out for reimbursement and are they on the website? Any money they give me back will be appreciated!

can you tell at what Tricare paid (how much). I was banded in Nov 2007 and now I find out Tricare covers it, and I can get a refund for what I paid, since it is retroactive to Feb 2007. good luck on your new band, and learn to love it.. I'm still working on that!

I had lap band surgery i(self-pay) in Nov and although I have Tricare according to their rules at that time, they only paid for Gastric bypass, not the lapband. you need to go to the tricare website and down load the medical benefits forms to discover what will be paid. I'm glad they approved your surgery which means in the future more people will be able to bill Tricare. I'd also talk to the regional representatives to determine why they pay so little!

I'm having the same symptoms- the lump in my throat and the feeling of fullness (to the point of discompfort) and wanting to throw up- even though I don't. You mention that this is good... I had a band fill about 2 weeks ago and just over the weekend now I start to fill this.. is it a delayed reaction to the fill? So maybe I am full after a couple of bites?

I had my procedure on Nov 8th and had a pretty rough 3 weeks. By the 4th weeks, things felt better (not as much pain or discomfort). I've had 2 band fills and am still adjusting to my right portion size and food content. I've lost about 30 pounds (I'm over 55 years old) and have not exercised, which I know I will lose more. I'm comfortable with the slow pace of losing pounds (about 1 pound a week) and starting in March, when my work schedule slows down, I'll get to the gym. My doctor (Dr. Elliot) is okay with my pace and my eating, (even though I still cheat on chocolate) and all is well. Being younger than I, you'll lose faster, and heal better, so it's a good thing! The most difficult thing is eating out with people and family- it's not very enjoyable and you have to focus to not overeat! So eating is never again a pleasurable thing, but then again, it was made to just sustain us anyway!

According to Lap Band officials and even my doctors- they do not want you drinking your meals, as it defeats the whole purpose of the band. It's hard to go from drinking meals (for weight loss) to eating food (on the band) and actually believing you'll lose weight. I am a drinker, and I make myself eat a protein based meal in the mornings to follow the guidelines. It will hold you all morning and then you won't snack until lunch. Hope this helps. I know people do drink for meals, but that is not they way Lap band is supposed to work.

I also have very little restriction and seem to be able to eat larger portions than before. I also am hungry 2 hours after eating a protein based meal so I go for my second fill this week, which I hope will restrict my food intake. I've lost 19 pounds since being banded Nov 8th, but I've gained 1.5 pounds over the past 2 weeks -mainly from eating between meals and snacking on chocolate! I plan to start back exercising this week also to combat these hunger spells. The good part is to know we have the support of your doctor/staff when you fall off the wagon and tools to stay on the wagon successfully- good luck

Well the fact that I;m working on my computer speaks volumes... the first day I was very sore although not too bad.. I found the Tylendol rapid liquid and was taking that during the day and the pain meds in the evenings, but today i decided to take the pain meds during the day too. Not as much gas as i had expected, and I;d say the pain is a tolerable 5 to 6 (with 10 being the worse). My worse concern is my cough and mucous in my chest that makes me spit up a lot, I have a call into my primary doctor to see what's up.. I'm attempting to go to work 1/2 days next week, so I won't be too far behind, but I'll see how things play out.

I'll let you know- I get banded tomorrow morning.

I am too a self-pay and once RSG knew that, they quickly moved my dates up. I go this Friday for pre-op physical with surgery scheduled for Nov 7th. I started the process about 4 weeks ago, so I think it moved fast. Kinda nervous, but after reading "the 50+" forums, I am better prepared! Let's keep this Richmond group alive!

I used to exercise but saw such slow results.. I know stength training works, but do I have to drag myself to the gym before my surgery on the 8th of Nov? I'd rather spend my time watching my food intake and sipping my pre-op diet (2 protein drinks and 1 small meal). Did anyone use Medifast drinks for thier pre-op diet?