gina s.

Congratulations! Keep us updated, I'm especially curious as to what happens since I plan on having another baby too.

Yay! I'm so happy for you!

I don't know about your fills, but I got 90 days worth of fills included with surgery. Then the surgeon has to send in a referral for one year's worth of fills to Tricare, Tricare will approve it, and then I after the year is over I have to go to my PCM and get a referral for any additional fills. I was just told this at my last appointment.

I just went to my PCM and asked if he would refer me for it, and he thought it was a great idea and would help me, so I had no problems.

Yay, good for you!! I also have Tricare South, I was banded almost two months ago and like you, I kept checking the site to see the "A" and it was so exciting! I was so happy and relieved, and I know you are too. Good luck!

I don't know when the chance is reduced, but I know that my surgeon made me do self-injections of a blood clot preventative for seven days after surgery....so my guess is at least seven days. Hope the problems go away soon.

I was told to eat until I felt full also. That is one of the ways my doctor decides if I need a fill or not, by asking how much I'm eating at each meal. I believe they told me once I get to my "sweet spot" that I should only be eating 4-6 oz. per meal.

I was told 4-6 oz per meal, after you've had the correct amount of fills.

I got my first fill (4 cc's) two weeks ago, and I was the same way. I couldn't eat much at all the first few days, but then every day I was able to eat a little more. I got my second fill yesterday (1 cc for a total of 5 cc's) and I asked the doctor about it. She told me it is because the fills cause your stomach to swell, and then when the swelling goes down you're able to eat more. And by the way, I think you should be eating more than 2 oz. anyway....I was told 4-6 oz. was the goal when you reach your "sweet spot". I know right now I'm supposed to eat until I'm full, and then when I go to get fills they ask how much it takes to get full, and based on that and a few other things they decide if I need a fill or not. But I know that every doctor is different, so just ask them. I hope you get it figure out soon, good luck!

I was too, but I couldn't even tell. I didn't have a sore throat or anything.

I had outpatient surgery, so I got to come home right after surgery. The next day, I got up and cooked breakfast for everyone (my parents were here, thinking that I'd need help with my four-year-old while hubby was working), did the dishes, and was generally up and doing the usual things. My parents could see that I was able to do everything fine, and that I wasn't in pain or having to take medication, so they packed up and left around lunch (they live six hours away). But that doesn't mean that YOU will be the same, I hope you have it easy but different people react differently, so really no one can tell you that you'll feel fine by day two. Good luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

That's what I was told to do after a fill also....24 hours of liquids, 24 hours of mushies and then back to solids. I was never told what to do before the fill.

I'm here in Killeen, and I got banded on June 12th by Dr. Symmonds. I was very happy with the whole experience at Scott and White.

I had mine done at Scott and White, I was very happy with them.

I'm in Killeen, I was banded June 12th....I would like the support if you're still offering!

I have active duty too, and I still had that one co-pay. I also had to pay that same amount when I had my daughter almost five years ago (I used a civilian hospital then too).

I have Tricare Prime, and I had my surgery done at a civilian hospital, and all I had to pay was $25 for a hospital stay co-pay.

Good for you! You're so strong to stand up to that!! I hope things get better for you soon.

From the first consult with the surgeon to having surgery took about six or seven weeks. Altogether with referrals, insurance approvals, other appointments, ect. it took about four months. I really think it depends on if you are paying or covered by insurance, what your insurance requires for prerequisites for surgery (sleep studies, nutritionists, ect.) and also how booked up your surgeon is, and also what your surgeon's requirements are......it sounds as if you almost there though, good luck!

I wouldn't worry about it either....count your blessings! I was banded five days before you and I can't wait to hit my 30 lbs. lost mark! But I was also at a lower BMI (37.5) than alot of people and so I knew that I wouldn't lose weight as fast as some. Anyway, I think you're doing a great job!

What flavor of Crystal light do you use? I think I'm going to have to try this :crying:!

I had another one today, so that makes two in one week! My sister and her family came to visit for the day, and we ditched our kids with the hubbies and went to the mall, the first time I've been since being banded. I could walk everywhere and not lose my breath!!! It was fantastic!!!! I guess I haven't been paying much attention when I walk in the evenings because I do it everyday, but when I would go to the mall before I started exercising and losing some weight, I would ALWAYS get out of breath......maybe being in a different setting made me notice it more? Whatever it was, it made me happy!

I don't think that's right (unless they have recently changed something) because I read the guidelines and they specifically say 100lbs. overweight with co-morbity or 200% over ideal body weight with no co-morbidity. I know someone who got denied by Tricare in March because she was only 97 lbs. overweight and not 100, but she gained a few pounds and appealed it and finally got approved.

I have Tricare, and I had the surgery done.....I'm 5'7.5'', weighed 243, and my co-morbidity was diabetes. I wasn't diabetic yet, but I also had a strong family history of it. I had three high blood sugar readings, and then I asked my doctor if he thought this procedure would be good for me, and he agreed and sent a referral in to Tricare for me (my PCP is civilian). Tricare approved the consultation, but first I had to attend a seminar given by the bariatric center where I was going, then I had to have a psych eval (I self referred and Tricare covered that too) and then I had the consult with the bariatric center. The bariatric center then sent in the info on me, plus a letter of medical neccessity, to Tricare for surgery approval. I was approved, so then all I had to do was pre-op stuff and then get my surgery. But this is me, and I think different areas of Tricare do it differently. Plus I had to go through a civilian surgeon since this surgery isn't done on post. Anyway, good luck! Let us know how it goes.

I trimmed my toenails yesterday and could actually reach them without my big belly being in the way!!