Choromom

Electra, Check on your deductible. Tricare's fiscal year is from Oct 1 to Sept 30, so your deductible started over again on the first of October.

I was Tricare Prime when I started the process to get approval, and make up my mind. We became Standard just before my surgery date, which meant I had deductibles that had not been met. I had talked to Tricare, and was told everything would be covered, except for the $380 deductible payment the hospital wanted before surgery. Mine was same day...so can't tell you about overnight charges. When the billing went through, Tricare paid a higher percentage than was expected, which meant my cost share was higher. I had my surgery in a civilian hospital, by civilian doctors. I suggest if someone at Tricare tells you all will be covered, that you get the person's name and extension number, and make a note of the day and time you were given the information. Please know that I really appreciate Tricare, and am grateful for the monetary help that allowed me to have the surgery. But I've worked enough customer service rep jobs to know that, like it or not, not every rep knows what they are doing. That's true whether it is Tricare, computer support, a cellphone company, or whatever! I've learned it is a good practice to track who tells me what, and when they told me. Policies change. Costs change, Government funding changes. It is what it is.

I just felt like I wasted time trying to decide, and got myself into the insurance issues. If you don't have major life changes coming up that will affect insurance, then make sure you are ready.

Could it be that there won't be anyone who can take the place of the friend you lost, but that someone might be able to make a different spot in your heart? I wonder if the new ward people all ponder at why they seem to be being held to an unknown-to-them standard? Perhaps they really are NOT reaching out to you, but it is also possible that they sense they aren't getting through, either. I remember when my sister moved to her current ward many, many years ago. She felt lost for quite a few months because no one was reaching out to her. Then, she learned that EVERYONE was new to the area and the ward, and they were all waiting for someone else to break the ice. Things improved for her when she began taking the first step... Just a thought... We've lived in many wards in our military life, and some are easy to fit in to, and others take a little more time. Thank goodness it is the Gospel that is true, and not the Church.

May I offer a quick update on my Tricare Standard experiences? I had surgery in July. Tricare approval came through fine - in fact, you can see a post from me earlier in the thread of how many TIMES Tricare approved, between hubby's retirement, civilian insurance becoming primary, dropping that insurance because of premium increases, and starting Tricare Standard, when we had Prime. So, with Standard the hospital tells me what my expected co-pay is, due before surgery. It was $380. Tricare then covered at a much higher rate, which means my co-pay increased, and now, 5 months after the fact, I'm finding that I owe the hospital another $1600! We have a Tricare supplemental insurance, that would have covered this expense and any others had I stayed overnight. But as a same day surgery, the supplemental is probably only going to cover about $400, so I'm paying $1200 to $1300 more than I expected or planned on. At 40 pounds lighter, I am glad I had the surgery. But, I would have done things differently if I had seen this coming! The frustration of an expense this large that was not planned on has definately shown me that my 'head hunger' is NOT under control! By the way, this little development surprised the Tricare service rep assigned as my 'counselor'...she had talked me through every step of the way, but was just as shocked at this as I was.

Yup, that's a dastardly deed, alright! You're on the right track, though. And you're going to be fine...because you need to help me be fine!

So, we meet again, do we? What dastardly deed brings you to this place? And, thank you for doing so...we both need the boost, right?

I'm obviously doing better at 'moderation in all things' than I was 6 weeks ago!

Hi, Getthin, I'm on my second week of soft foods. My doctor happens to recommend adding one new food at a time, and waiting a day or two to see how you do with it. My first soft food was a scrambled egg, and I did great with that, but I have a friend with a band that can't eat eggs. I've had cooked carrots, canned tuna, chicken, and ham, and applesauce. It's hard to chew mushy food really well, but eating it slow, and not too much (I'm still eating 4 or 5 ounces at a meal) seem to work very well for me...no adverse reactions. I also do not have any fill yet. I also have some small, pretty, cut glass bowls that I use for meals. Makes it a little more of an 'occasion' to eat and reminds me that I'm worth this effort!

I'm wondering if your exercise is the same level as before surgery? Also, can you tell if you are losing inches?

I am 2 1/2 weeks post op, in the soft/mushy diet phase, and am only allowed 1/4 cup of food, three times a day, with 8 ozs of protein drink mid morning and in the evening. I have not felt hungry until the last couple of days, and find that I can have Kellog's protein water, or add Crystal lite to water, and not feel hungry. I do have SF pudding, or unsweetened applesauce a couple of times a week, between meals, but I don't do that every day. I know a lot of my hunger is not physical need for food, so I'm trying my best to not let emotional food choices become the driving force in my food plan.

I'm two weeks post op and have had minimal soreness, until the last couple of days. I called my doctor's office today and talked with the nurse. She said that it was normal, and unless I was having drainage, hot to the touch, pain so bad I couldn't stand type of thing, to be patient and try to be careful. It isn't horrid pain, but hits once in awhile with a stab that startles me...but I feel better after talking to the nurse (who is a lap band patient, too)

Frypan, I actually gained weight the week after surgery! All that gas and bloating and swelling...but at 2 weeks post op, the scales are moving. A little. Don't get discouraged...this does work! We need to give our bodies a chance to adjust to not getting all the food it expects, so that it starts using the fat stores. I find that the days I drink lots of water, I feel better, and I feel like I'm losing inches by the way my clothes fit. The gas pain eases, too, with enough fluids. I was able to start walking on the treadmill again on Sunday, and I feel better every day. Hang in there, drink lots of water, and walk, walk, walk for those gas pains! You're gonna look awesome in a few months!