Choromom

You did not lie.You have lost weight with portion control and exercise! You can find multiple posts on this forum that show that just having the band doesn't make the weight fall off! Any more information than that is not anyone else's business until you are ready to share it. Maintaining personal privacy is not lying.

Hello, If I may, I'd like to stand and introduce myself. My name is Maggie. I live in Utah, and in Utah County. I'm married; we have five grown children, 8 grandchildren, 2 dogs, and 2 granddogs. My husband just retired from the Army after 37 years - a combination of full time, and traditional National Guard. We live in a typical Utah ward (referring to the ward/branch post). I don't know any of my neighbors across the street because they are in a different stake! (Not really, but I certainly do not know them as well as ward members.) I teach Gospel Doctrine. I love family history. I am an office manager for a small computer software company. I am scheduled for surgery on July 22. I have been heavy since my first pregnancy, but usually could get down to a reasonable weight until my last child was born. He's now 25, so it is high time to lose the 'baby' fat! I had total knee surgeries in 2007, and the reduced activity, plus using it as an excuse, helped me gain another 25 pounds. I have my pre-op visit on July 11. I've been doing pretty good about avoiding soda and chocolate, but today, I had a candy bar. It didn't even taste good! Awful slimy texture...why did I feel that was necessary? I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me. I need to be more aware of my calorie intake. I am very aware this evening of how much better I feel when the food I eat is better for me. The last few weeks, when I have eliminated my Pepsi and chocolate, and cut down on carbs, I've been feeling better. Then that one indulgence today, and I feel kind of yukky tonight. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better, and I appreciate the encouraging posts you have all made.

Kimmie, Every pound you lose takes four pounds of pressure off of your knees. The snap, crackle and pop may not go away, but it certainly will hurt less.

Hi, Gary, and welcome. Congratulations on being banded! You've made some good progress to this point, so I'm sure you'll do well. What is your opinion of the surgery? I'm being banded in July, and keep wondering what is in store! Any insight would be most welcome.

Hi, Frazzled, You sound like you are doing all the right 'mind' things to prepare for surgery. You talk about eating out...something that my hubby and I enjoy, too. And, I am finding it just as enjoyable to go out for dinner when we share an entree...tell the waiter when you order and they will bring two plates. We usually order an extra dinner salad. When the food comes, I take a small portion, and have even included a very small portion of the baked potato! By doing all the processes we are supposed to follow after surgery...chewing slowly, putting the fork down between bites, and concentrating on the conversation, I still enjoy an evening out, and go home feeling very pleased with myself, and not uncomfortable because I ate too much. I'm scheduled for banding in July.

I've actually had Tricare approve surgery for me twice! My husband retired during the process, so it had to be submitted again, and now I have the deductable and co-pay, but I'm still impressed with how quickly Tricare processed this. And the caseworker...mine is named Karen, I have her direct line, I've called her 3 or 4 times and have never waited more than two hours to hear back from her, and she has made calls to the surgeon's office in my behalf. I'm scheduled for pre-op on July 11, and surgery on July 22. Tricare does have its drawbacks, as was mentioned! We live the military life style, and some facilities don't like it because it doesn't pay as much as other insurances. But the way they take care of their members is impressive.

I'd ask specifically at the visit, and then if there IS saline in place, say that you've not read of that and can he help you understand why. As for diet. It is still our choice what goes in our mouth.

I still have six weeks until surgery, but I am finding that making myself say "I choose not to eat (fill in the blank), I feel stronger, smarter, sassier than when I say "Oh, I can't have (same blank here)"! You all probably know that already, huh!

Kimaly, I'm scheduled for July 22, also! And, I'm working on smaller portions, not drinking with food, chewing well, eating better foods, and eating soft foods - yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. The chewing well is probably the hardest right now. It is a little startling to realize how fast I can put food down! Ouch! I am also liking the fact that I really do feel better when I drink enough water! And, the craving for my caffiene soda is going away. I still salivate when I hear Hubby open a new bottle, though!

I have another suggestion for something to flavor Water. It's called "True Lemon". It also comes in lime and orange. Check out the website: www.truelemon.com It is made from crystallized juice and the oil from the peel. It comes in individual packets that will flavor 8 to 10 ounces of water quite nicely, or you can buy a shaker of the lemon and lime, which I use to cook with...flavor veggies or meat. There is no artificial sweeteners. It contains dextrose, citric acid, juice and oil, maltodextrin, and ascorbic acid. 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 Protein, 0 fat, and they claim 0 sugar, but dextrose and maltodextrin are forms of sugar. Still one serving has less than 1 gram of carbs. I also like Kellogg's Special K Protein powder.

Just got my surgery date today! July 22nd! Still not quite sure it is for real...but I'll bet that changes when I pay my insurance co-pay on July 11! I'm getting banded! I'm getting banded! I'm getting banded! Am I the only one who can hear that music?

Thank you for the enthusiasm...it is wonderful to be able to share. Let me answer your questions: Jill is the insurance coordinator at Dr. Richards office. She knows her stuff. Business-like, hard to connect with on the phone, but they've also had one gal out on maternity leave. I feel like she knows what's going on. As for knowing what my PCM submitted...I used to work in that office. I just asked one of the gals to fax me a copy of his letter, because I wanted to know what I was dealing with. It is part of my medical records, and I am entitled to a copy! I am relieved to have the authorization in place. Now, I just wish I could get past the voice mail and talk to a real person when I call the office!

If the amounts that I've heard for what Tricare pays are anywhere near the truth, I can't say as I blame any provider for not wanting to accept it. But, DANG IT! We are in this situation because we have a family member working hard for YOU. Can't you help us out a little in return? He certainly could make more money in the private sector! (And, probably get better insurance coverage, too!)

I wish I could give you the definite answer, Kitty, but I'm thinking, with the co-morbidity issues, you should make it! I'll cross fingers and toes for you...

I did not get a case worker assigned until the surgeon's office submitted the request for authorization the first time...my husband retired the end of May, and he is working a new job with different insurance, so that created several hoops that had to be jumped through to get this all together. When the first request was submitted, the other insurance had not sent a denial letter (they cover nothing), and since Tricare is automatically secondary insurance when another is in place, that had to be included, and they don't work as fast as Tricare, so it didn't get submitted again before the end of May, and come June 1st, we were no longer in DEERS! Had to get new ID cards, collect the denial letter and resubmit under Standard. One of the reasons why they may be giving you the run around for details on requirements is that each procedure can actually have additional CPT codes, depending on what is done, and those will effect the cost. Since most customer reps see this process only from their side of the phone, they can't 'get' why we want/need more information! I spent a lot of time on the phone trying to pin things down, so I know where you are coming from. So much depends on what your PCM says when he requests approval! Mine wrote a letter to go with the request...outlining the diets I've tried over the last 25 years, and what my co-morbidities were. He was very 'generous' in his descriptions...I cried when I read the letter! But, I think it helped. The first phone call I got from my case worker was to verify the information in that letter...height, weight, medical problems, diets tried. She was very kind as she asked me all of those embarrassing issues...and has been an absolute cheerleader since then! She has called me when she did not need to, just to let me know that she was ready to finish the approval when the paperwork arrived. (Have I mentioned that I'm Triwest?) I'm going to have a hard time sleeping tonight!

Kitty, have you talked with anyone at Tricare yet? Which region are you in, and which level of Tricare? I was surprised at how quickly it was approved. The doctor's office sent off the needed paperwork today, and because this has been in process for several weeks, I have a caseworker assigned. She called me this afternoon - after the end of her business day - to tell me she had pushed it through the system and everything is a go. She also asked me to call and update her when I got scheduled!

It almost sounds as if the coordinator didn't quite have everything together in front of her, so she said what she could think of to put you off... Don't give up! Keep checking with her.

Well, if you switch to Standard, you will have your $150 deductable, plus 25% of allowable charges at the hospital, doctor, and anesthesiologist...so Prime is the better way to go. Especially since the requirements are identical. 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure, plus an associated medical condition, or 200% or more of ideal weight. If you bill the psych eval to Tricare, at least part of it will be covered, if not all. Tricare covers 8 visits a year without authorization, to a network provider. I don't know if Colledge is network or not, but I am billing my state insurance, and then Tricare, to see how much I get back. The state insurance takes longer than Tricare to process claims, but I'll keep you posted if you like.

Yes, I think we have 'met' on another post! My initial appointment with Dr. Richards was pleaseant and painless. I had discussions with the exercise physiologist, and the dietitian...talking about what goals I could set right now to work on until surgery. Dr. Richards did a quick physical...heart/lungs kind of thing, and reviewed my medical history., She asked me how much research I'd done, or how much I knew about lap band. Then, because I have a history of acid reflux, she had me talk with Jill, the insurance gal, and set up a scope and start insurance processes. I saw Dr. Colledge for my psych eval...she works with Cottam and Richards. She is very friendly and cheery. I had the office fax me the paperwork that she wants filled out...a personality test. We talked for an hour about family history, weight history, expectations of surgery, etc. Also pleasant and painless. Here's a tidbit for you - both Dr. Richards and Dr. Colledge have new babies...under a year. I'm hoping to get in for the pre-op in the next week or two, and then surgery is usually two to four weeks after that. I'm sure you will like Dr. Richards. She is very pleasant, no nonsense, but willing to take time to answer questions. The office certainly has that initial patient visit down to a routine...took about an hour.

I think it is to make sure you have reasonable expectations...that you do not expect to wake up from surgery looking like Cindy Crawford!

The quick response has to be because this is the right thing! The people I know who have had the band have great things to say about it. It is hard, and it is not the 'quick' solution. There is still a lot of work, because this isn't the cure, just a tool to get where you want to be. I'm thinking that it will be a really good thing for you, and that's why everything is happening quickly!

Minidriver, I have been working with Dr. Cottam and Dr. Richard's clinic...and have seen Dr. Richards. So far, I've been impressed with her, and with the staff, mostly. Right now, I'm in the final stages of getting insurance approval, and I feel like Jill is dragging her feet, but then, I know that one of the staff is out on maternity leave, and that has to increase everyone's work load. I had an esophageal scope by Dr. Richards. I was VERY impressed with her bedside manner, and her concern for me. She talked me all the way through, explaining everything that was happening. One of the things she did that made me feel so good...after getting all the equipment out of my throat, and taking out the bite guard, she is the one who wiped the tears from my cheeks and the drool from my chin, and in a kind, sweet manner. She was also very patient with my questions when she came to check on me after the procedure. Dr. Cottam has been with the clinic for less than a year, but he came from a huge, active clinic in Las Vegas...which I think gives him good marks for experience.

Fanny, I appreicate the suggestion of the baby utensils. I'll add that to my list of surgery preparations!

I HOPE they are normal, because I'm going through all of that, and I don't have the final insurance approval yet! The hardest part of all of this, for me, is going to be making that HUGE change in the way food fits into my life. It can no longer be the main thing I think about, and plan around, and use for comfort, grieving, anger, happiness, celebration, depression...you name it, food is/WAS the answer! And, I think that having a baby as young as yours gives you a legitimate reason to be concerned about the unthinkable...but it is just that...unthinkable. Look at all the positive! We all get to concentrate on the positives!