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.

As I'm sitting here in the wee hours of the morning, I just happened to think that those of you who do not live along the Wasatch Front may not be aware of a website that the Deseret News sponsors. Mormon Times - News and information for and about members of the LDS Church Each week the paper has a section called Mormon Times...in addition to the Church News. The topics in Times are usually more 'casual' than the Church News. A favorite feature of mine is a column that Joseph Cannon does each week called 'The Gospel in Words". He takes a different word each week, talks about the root of the word, what it means to the world and other religions, and what it means in Gospel context. Another possible FHE, Mrs. Flipflops... Orson Scott Card's columns are also interesting...he likes to point out the 'inconsistencies' we have as members sometimes. He also has written about activities in his ward and stake that have been successful. He can seem very cynical at times, so don't take offense. Read his column for what you enjoy and ignore the rest.:thumbup:

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!

Hello, all! Surgery was last Tuesday, and I'm doing quite well, I think. Minimal pain, except for gas and bloating. Don't want to eat as much as what is on the daily food intake list. And, almost back to the weight I was the day before surgery. My first follow-up is Wednesday. Tomorrow I go back to work, but on an abbreviated schedule. The boss is out on vacation, so I can go in for as little as I can tolerate, with his permission. I'm not looking forward to it, because I still feel like I have too little energy. Better every day, but still tired a lot. I've quickly learned to sip my water and protein drinks :teeth_smile:. Gas pain is not fun!

I told my boss I was having 'female surgery'. Gall bladder would work, too. Or, abdominal surgery I don't see that as lying in either case; it is protecting my privacy. Especially if you do not feel your boss would keep it private.

Jazzey, It's OK to feel discouraged occasionally - this is a TOUGH battle we are fighting here. But, don't give up! You are important, and worth every effort it takes to reach your goal! This is a fight you want to win! While I'm talking 'military', here's a thought. When the fighting forces take a STAND, it is not a passive thing. A military stand is an action - planning, training, practicing, evaluating and re-evaluating, considering all possible options and how to deal with any contingency. So, take a stand, and decide how to cope with anything that might come your way...KFC or whatever. If you can think ahead, it might make it easier to face those kinds of issues. I am also trying very hard to be positive about those things...instead of saying 'I can't have', I'm trying to say 'I choose NOT to eat that because I know I will feel better and be healthier if I don't' It's still hard, but there is a sense of accomplishment when I make it an active choice, instead of the oh, so common feeling of deprivation. Hang in there! You can do this!

I was banded on July 22. One of the doctors in the clinic said I would have to stay overnight. The doctor who did my surgery discharged me as soon as everything was stable...about five hours from check-in to going home. Your insurance may have approved overnight as a contingency...saves needing to get approval should you need to stay for some reason. Just a thought. And, I know my insurance doesn't pay anywhere NEAR what the band actually costs, so I am guessing that the doctor who told me I needed to stay was hoping to recoup more of the clinic's expenses. A guess - I don't know that for sure! Good luck to you, and Happy BIRTHday!

How much water are you drinking in a day? That will help with the hunger. I'm supposed to have 64 ounces of fluid a day and that can be protein wather, popsicles, jello, but I've not felt like having anything but water. And, you have about twice the quantity that my doc allows. I only have 1/4 cup of 'food' when I eat, and that three times a day (so I get 12 ozs of soup or cream of wheat or yogurt a day) but I can have 8 oz of protein drink between meals. Both have to be consumed slowly...especially the 8 oz...too fast and it hurts.

Lelafox, You have NOT failed at this! You need to go in and get a fill, and get back on the correct eating plan. This is not a solution - it is a tool, and if you aren't going to use the tool it won't be able to help you. So, let it help you! Use you convention experience as a tool, too. Let it help you, and us, realize that we can sometimes be wrong in our 'eyeball' estimate of how much food is in a serving. That's a good lesson learned, and now we go from there! You have not failed until you quit trying! You've been doing this for five weeks, and it is a lifetime experience. It appears to me that you are being too hard on yourself. You are expecting permanent changes in a temporary time frame. So get back in the swing of things, and get serious about this again. You CAN do it - you were successful 18 pounds worth! Do what you did then... And know that I'm cheering for you. You are a month ahead of me in band time, and I KNOW you are going to make this work!

I go tomorrow for the pre-op visit and education...meet with the dietician, exercise physiologist, etc, and pay my money! I called the hospital today to talk to their finance folks about how much I will end up owing them (looks like MUCH less than what I thought!) and lo and behold (I can use that phrase here, right?) the insurance coordinator for my part of the alphabet is a patient of my doctor's! We had a wonderful visit! She's been banded two years, and has gone from a size 26 to a 12/14. She's very positive and upbeat, and enthusiastic! I was also invited to call and chat any time I got discouraged or had questions. I feel like someone is watching out for me! My surgery is scheduled for July 22.

I would check with your insurance, too. My fills are covered, with the exception of my office visit co-pay required by the insurance.

Kat, You should make your photo into a poster - inspirational kind! You are where I want to be. I can see that it took you awhile to get there, and that is also encouraging. Littlemissband, I'm only three days post-op, so I'm certainly not one to tell you how this all turns out for me, but I can tell you that I am so excited to have reached this point in the journey! I have had some gas pain...quite uncomfortable, but not intolerable. Walking helps, as does sitting up as straight as possible. I took one pain pill the night of surgery, before bed, and that is all I've needed. I have not been able to eat everything that is on my doctor's recommended list for a full liquid diet yet. I'm not too concerned about that, and am concentrating on fluids. I figure the rest will come. I know a lot more people who have been successful with a lap band than I do those who had bypass. One theory I have is that the band MAKES you come to terms with your relationship with food - and solving those issues is a big part of success, I think. It is/will be for me.

I agree with the other posters...you are not eating very much! My surgeon advises 24 ounces of protein drinks, spread throughout the day, plus 5 ounces of other soft foods...cereal, soup, yogurt, plus at least 64 ounces of water or caffiene free liquids. I suggest you check with your surgeon and see how much he wants you to have.

How nice to know that my discomfort is not unusual. I was getting a little concerned. I was banded Tuesday, and feel really good, except for a sore neck (I have a cervical fusion and I'm assuming it is from the position I was in to be intubated) and my shoulders hurt a lot! The incisions hurt if I move too quickly, of course, or when I laugh or cough, but this shoulder pain! That's why I'm on the computer at 4 in the morning! I have been moving around, but not really WALKING! Just changing positions, chairs, which room I'm sitting in. I will walk today!