Lilpeach_059

Have you been tested for sleep apnea? Joint pain is also a common co-morbidity. Does your insurance count joint pain and sleep apnea as co-morbidities?

Hi, I am also in my early 20's...my date is coming up soon too! I am very anxious and nervous about the actual procedure. Good luck on your journey!

Im a 5th year senior (after many major changes) but now I've decided on a major; Integrative Studies with a minor in psyc and a minor in gen business (2 of my previous majors lol). I want to be a Pharmacist so after I graduate (may 2010) I will go back to undergrad and take a few science classes while waiting on admission to Pharmacy school. I have not been banded yet, my date is 07-23-09 and I am very nervous. My mom is sort of like a previous poster's mom...she thinks if I have the will power to stick with college after all I've been through, then she figures I can drop 100lbs. For me its not that easy, I can lose the weight but I always gain it back because I overeat. Anyway I look forward to meeting more people my age getting the band. This has been a long process (2yrs) and Im ready to start!

Im 22, will be banded 07/23/2009!

My pre-op 2 day clear liquids list has sf 'clear jello' listed as one of my choice. Does this mean like Jello that isnt red or blue or something? I think there was a note in there to avoid foods with dyes before surgery...but I dont recall seeing any jello that is clear in a store. :frown: Anyone know where I can find clear sf jello (or if they even make it)?

I have 2 days clear liquids also prior to surgery...not sure why either.

My doc told me he uses realize now...not really what i was expecting but hopefully it all goes well!

I wonder why you cant swim before the band? :thumbup:

I will be July 23 also! Just got my date today. I have a clear liquid pre-op diet for two days. I will be banded in Decatur, Ga at Dekalb Medical by Dr Steinberg.

Just got my date today...July 23, 2009!

Which Tricare do you have? I have Tricare South and they would not tell me my ideal weight! Most of the reps (that I spoke to; about 7 or 8) even said they dont use the metlife chart! So how did you approach/word the question?

I think 200% over would make you 282....i think u could 'gain' that by the time u see ur surgeon.

Maybe if you tell the surgeon that u have a small fram he will put that in the paperwork. but I hear that they usually use medium frame for everybody. I'm 5'5 and 231lbs with no 'real' comorbities according to tricare's website...but my PCM wrote a letter and put my weight at 241 & that I suffered from recurrent abcess, asthma & joint pain. Do you have any possible comorbities?

& Tricare approves everyone for an initial consult & then usually about 4 office visits. & no you don't have to print out the approved office visits & consultation unless u want. The surgeons office should have a copy.

From my experience with Tricare Prime is that they will approve the referral for an office visit as long as its a covered service (ie, gyno visit, endo visit, cardio visit) & they will deny those not covered (off base nutritionist, or psyc). For them to approve a lap band surgery....the surgeon has to submit a packet saying the surgery is medically necessary & if the Nurse at Tricare agrees (& u meet the requirements on Tricare's website)...they will approve it. To answer your question....unfortunately one can still be denied for surgery even after having approved visits to surgeon. But they really have to approve your visits to the surgeon to see if you qualify for the surgery.

I have Tricare prime, but I didnt have to lose any weight. Tricare only wanted the info that the surgeon (varies by surgeon) deemed necessary like psyc eval, TSh level, pulm clearance and nutrition consult. Now that I am approved the surgeon can tell me to "jump thru hoops" before he will do the procedure. But I hear you can go to a MTF w/o going thru so much because Tricare will automatically cover it.

Aww sorry to hear that! When I went to my PCM I said I just need you to send Tricare my authorization for lapband surgery :thumbup:...really didnt ask :cursing: but maybe you wont need her permission...maybe if the surgeon deems it medically necessay that will be enough! But my PCM was supportive!