ready_2_lose

I never thought about looking for liquid beano. I will look around for that. Today we went to a pizza/italian place for a going away party. I ordered the minestrone soup only to find out they didn't carry it anymore. I was so disappointed but the pizza and all surrounding me didn't even phase me. Before my band I would salivate and be so mad that I couldn't have it. Luckily, there was a Chinese place next door that my dear, sweet husband walked over and got me an Egg Drop Soup. It was great.

Hi. I did the same! My surgeon makes everyone go on the Atkins diet at least 2 weeks before. I had time so I started it 4 weeks before. I thought I was going to throw chicken breasts at passers by I was so frustrated. I somewhat buckled down the last 5 days and lost the last 5 pounds and the doctor never even checked my liver before going in or anything. Good luck ad hang in there! ~Dana San Antonio, Texas 217 LB Seminar 205 Pre-op 192 7/1/08

Hi! I was just banded last Thursday, the 26th. I, too, have lost about 11 pounds. Isn't it exciting! I am at the same stage as you where the thought of anymore chicken broth makes me nauseous. Today I got my favorite flavor of Crystal Light (actually Walmart's own brand -- in Cherry Limeade flavor) mixed it with Water and blended it with ice. It is so yummy and I am getting full on it! I am having a little problem with gas today as well. Hubby and I went to Luby's and he got whatever and I got a bowl of tortilla soup (not used to only asking for a cup, yet). I told the little guy I wanted mostly broth and he gave me the strangest look. But, it sure did taste good! It may have caused the gas though so I guess i won't do that again. Good luck to you! ~Dana 217 at LB seminar 205 Pre-op 192 7/1/08

Kristina-- Did Tricare pay for your nutrionist appointments? The doctor's office told me that is all they won't pay for. Besides that, I have had to pay $12 for my 1st copay and of course, parking downtown.

Hi everyone. Things have gone really fast for me once I got in to see the surgeon. I did my best to put on some more weight and when i got weighed I had a BMI of 40! I am actually shorter than I put in the online calculator so that worked in my favor! I have done my psych eval which took 2 hours for seeing the dr and doing the tests and I have done my sleep study which my surgeon ordered just in case I do have sleep apnea that will be more in my favor. I got my records sent over from the MTF and all I need now is to see the nutrionist. I am waiting for her to come back from vacation ~ darn her! lol They put everyone on Atkins for 2 weeks pre-op diet so I am thinking about starting that now that way I can get right in for surgery if I get approved. Here's to hope! Other ladies using my surgeon that have Tricare have been approved within a couple of days. And my lapband advocate that they assigned to me says that Tricare is really easy as long as you meet the BMI criteria. Luck to all of us! Hooah! :wink2:

Best of Luck!

Okay, now Tricare called today to tell me I was approved to go to the surgeon for my initial visits! I am psyched! I guess it was just the MTF that was saying I wouldn't get approved. I sure was bummed but now things are looking up! How are you guys doing with your approval?

I just got a call from Tricare today saying they were approving me to go to the surgeon for my initial appointments. I am so excited because I thought I had actually been turned down! I go to the seminar on April 30th. I am itching to go RIGHT NOW! Anyone know how long it would take to get approval for the surgery after that? Thanks! Dana

Hi. I am in the same boat. My insurance company said that since my BMI is "only" 38, I don't have any co-morbities except for a slightly elevated sugar level. I am really bummed. My DH knows how bummed I am so he actually tried to apply for a loan to get the surgery. He got turned down, but it was sweet of him to try. I looked at the charts and saw that if I gain (ugh) 12 pounds, then I would be at a BMI of 40. Does anyone know anyone that actually gained weight to meet the requirements? Someone told me to wear ankle weights, if you can believe that! LOL what if they say to take off my clothes and weigh! Yikes! Thanks! I love hearing your stories! I'm rooting for everyone!

Hi there. My primary care doctor called me today to tell me that plastics won't do the surgery because my BMI is "only" 38. Other than that, my sugar is slightly elevated but I am very healthy. I am thinking that it didn't even go through Tricare since I have to go to a Military Installation, they denied it in-house. I am bummed. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks! ~Dana

Hi everyone. I am in Cibolo, just north of Schertz. I just started my journey. Since I have Tricare, I went to my Primary Care Physician first to get a referral. She sent the referral to Plastics and they sent some questions back to her and they have been waiting over a week for a reply. Does anyone know if I should go ahead and go over to Dr. Wright at South TX Surgeons (I know he takes Tricare now) and let his office do the calling? I am getting frustrated waiting on her and my lab results. I called the patient advocate they said someone would call me today, still nothing! I am calling Monday again to see if I get anything. I was just wondering if in the meantime I should go to Dr. Wright! Thanks~!!!:thumbup:

Hi all. I am an Army Wife at Ft. Sam Houston. I saw the PCM here last week and she put the referral in right away but plastics is going back to her for more info. I also did LAWL for months but then I got pregnant so I had to quit. I gained some back before losing the baby. Then, as the depression sank in, I've gained it all back plus some. I am ready to get this weight off and a friend of mine heard through her civilian clinic that Tricare was now covered there, so I thought what the heck, I'll give it a go. I know Tricare and the docs can be slow to approve referrals so I am trying to be patient. I wish you luck!

That is interesting about Tricare not going by BMI. Do you know where I can find a list of some sort about what they are looking for to approve you for the band? Thanks!

I am so happy to have found this site! A friend of mine got banded and is loving it and said that her surgeon just recently started accepting Tricare Prime so I called them. They do accept but need to have a PCM referral. So, on post I go to ask for a referral. Doctor wrote up all kinds of history, said my BMI is only (ha!) 38. I have many co-morbidities -- heart disease in the family, Diabetes in the family, I am high risk for these. So I am sitting and waiting to see if my referral will be accepted. Has anyone had luck with referrals like this with Tricare? I am excited and I want this really bad!