Allformyson

She doesn't need the approval of her sister. If she really thinks she does she has another issue than just losing weight, honestly. She has to live for herself, not her sister.

My doc requires an overnight stay and does a barium swallow in the morning. I'd love to be at home the same day though. This is also the first time being away overnight from my 14 mo old. I know he is in good hands, but I'll miss him.

Anyone use mederma for the scars? I know it is probagly the least thing to have to worry about but I'm thinking that as long as I'm improving my health and appearance then I might give it a try.

A while ago we went to a no-soda household. My DH already gave it up because it gave him stomach issues. I would still drink it all the time then around when I got pregnant I gave it up for crystal light. So stopped buying it for the house, but if we went out to a restaurant I'd have it there. Now I'm going to give it up completely. I can honestly tell you that once you are used to drinking more Water, soda is not hydrating at all. I'm incredibly thirsty after drinking soda..it's so dehydrating. Anyway, this worked for me....for every can or glass of soda you drink drink the eqivalent of water aiming to replace some of the soda drinkage with water until you are drinking mostly water. I guess if you are the type to go cold turkey then that might work too but beware of headaches. GL

I just checked the Tricare website and I was approved. So why did a flood of apprehension wash over me - :smile2: I started thinking that maybe I should postpone for a couple months and try on my own again but I know in my heart it would probably be another failed attempt. Probably just general nerves about surgery. Anyway, anyone else getting theirs done around that time??

Hi, I just found out today that my surgery was approved. April 16. My doc does not require pre-op diet, just no gaining any weight. I'm feeling hopeful for the first time yet very nervous at the same time. I'm glad I found this forum for support and help.

I'm still pending insurance approval, but the doc's office called to give me a date because the insurance company needs a date to approve. April 16th! I had doubts about the operation up until I met with the surgeon just recently actually for the first time. Now I feel more positive about everything even though I still have just a general fear of surgery which I guess everyone has a little. Just that something will go wrong and I'm leaving behind my beautiful 14 mo old. Anyway..sorry to be morbid there for a second. Keep your fingers crossed for approval! I should probably know something early next week.

Hi. I have TCP (in the northeast) and it has taken about 4 months to get from my initial appt with my PCP to my initial appt with the surgeon (next week). The time was mostly due to the wait time to get appts. As far as tests/consults, tricare requires the following: Cardiac clearance (EKG) Blood work (tyroid and another one I don't remember) Nutrition consultation Psych consultation Letter from your PCP with medical history I have a feeling that I'm forgetting something though.... Good luck

I was told any necessary medicines should be crushed as finely as possible. I was told no to any carbonated beverages.

I received a call from the nurse at my docs office and while I still have to do my own research and make my own decision I wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts. I'm going to be reading the post below in great detail too. The nurse says the doc is going to recommend me for GBPS because my main co-morbidity is diabetes (even though I think it is more pre-diabetes/PCOS but uncontrolled diabetes is what is in my medical record). She said the GBPS eliminates the diabetes, almost a "surgical cure". I wasn't too keen on it because I just really don't like the idea of my intestines being cut. I mentioned the reversal of the LB if needed and she said that no insurance company will pay for it unless it is defective. She mentioned that I don't have to go for the fills 4x a year which is a positive I think but I don't see that as any more than a slight nuisance. She said the ultimate decision is up to me. My father was dx with pre-diabetes (on met) at around age 60. I truely believe that in both of our cases it is lifestyle even if it is in our history and who can say what my health will be like 30 years from now. I would be interested to hear what others with PCOS and LB think because it would be nice for those symptoms to go away. I'm just not convinced about GBPS.

I don't have full blown diabetes but I have pre-diabetes. I was on metformin until I got pregnant and then I was breastfeeding for a year and couldn't take the medications. Now I am getting back on metformin and also cholesterol medication but I know high cholesterol isn't a comorbidity. I had gestational diabetes during pregnancy and was insulin dependant even though I followed the eating rules perfectly. My dad has diabetes and I'm sure I am headed that way eventually if I don't do something about it. I have a feeling though I am going to get denied. Any thoughts?

I'm curious how much of a scar do you have from this surgery if it was done laparoscopically. How big is it and where is is located? Did it diminish over time?

Thanks everyone and thanks for the photos Catherine. I hope my doc does the 2 incision. I don't know why the thought of the scars bother me. i was surprised to hear that some had 5 scars.

I'm just under BMI 40. Weigh me in my clothes and I'm probably at 40. I'm not near a MTF. I'm near Groton CT and was referred to Yale New Haven Hospital, which I haven't been seen there yet because I'm still working on my requirements and being held up by the long waits for appts.

Hi, anyone else here using Tricare Prime? I am interested in the lap band surgery and my PCM is onboard. I'm only waiting until my 9 m.o. reaches a year and is weaned from breastfeeding. In the meantime I am trying to get all my requirements meet..i.e. nutrition appt etc. My doc said she wouldn't do the blood work until I am closer to ready. However, I am having trouble finding a psych here that does the evaluation. I am not near a military hospital (I'm in eastern CT). I did find one but she said I need authorization from Tricare but I was told this was a self referred appt. Does anyone have any experience with a civilian psych? Do I need to call Tricare for authorization?? Thanks!

I had a doctor's appt yesterday to get some of my pre-requirements done. I had an EKG and it showed a small problem with one of the readings. I don't know more than that. She doctor was going to let it go until I told her my father had a heart attack when he was 40. Now I'm scheduled for a stress test early Jan and she wouldn't give me a referral for the nutrition appt I need. I'm going to try to get her to refer me after the 1st of the year. There is nothing wrong with getting these requirements done, right. I just hope this stress test turns out ok. I have high cholesterol and I can't take any medications right now because I am breastfeedin my son. He turns 1 in 3 weeks and I'm already gradually weaning but can't take the medications until he is totally weaned. I'm scared. I brought this on myself. Not only with my weight, but all the cr*p I've eaten over the years. When I was working I used to go out to eat for lunch almost every day. Of course, I ate all the bad stuff. I really want this surgery. I want it for myself and my son. I know I have to change my habits. But not feeling like you are starving must certainly help a ton. I think that is my biggest hurdle to weight loss. It's not that I dont' like healthy foods, I hate the empty feeling of in my stomach when I'm hungry. Now I feel I can't lose weight because I am just at 100 lbs overweight and I can't not lost weight if I have caused heart disease. Thanks for letting me vent.

I have Tricare Prime (east) and I'm still getting all my requirements done. It is taking forever mostly due to trying to get appts (i.e. nutrition doesn't have anything until mid-Jan). My PCM did the referral and I have been approved to see a surgeon but they won't even make an appt until I have all my requirements done and they have all the paperwork. I guess this is ok since I wasn't looking to do the surgery until Feb, but I'm wondering how many more delays I will encounter in the future.

So my PCP did my referral and I was approved to see the specialist. The specialist won't see me until I have all the requirements met and sent me a list...a few on there were one's I didn't know about. If I need to make an appt to see my PCP again, which I think I will, I would like to try to take care of everything at once. 1. What is cardiac clearance? I don't remember my PCP mentioning it. Well I guess that was it...it says I need my PCP to provide a written medical history but I don't know if she did that so I will probably have to make an appt. I need to re-do my nutrition appt too because they person didn't take written notes and I now know I need that. Thanks.

This is where my insurance company referred me. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience there? Thanks.

Yes, thanks. There are a bunch that take Prime, but not all do this type of evaluation.

I found someone and they even have an appt tomorrow! :tongue: I had found one the other day but they didn't have an appt until Dec. She said the report would take about a week. Then I guess I go back to my PCM for the blood work and referral?? I'm looking to do this around Jan/Feb.