ras141414

Well all I can say is, its been since Bef 2008 since I had my band removed here in San Diego, and started jogging 4.5 mile a day,, building up to this after 6 months and I attend weight watchers weekly and I started at 178 before the band and then went down to 118, got it repositioned and then I had tohave it removed and have been band free for 15 months. I am holding my weight down to 140 and I hope with wieght watchers I achieve and hold my weight at 132 or so.. I love jogging and I love the fact that I get alot of support from Weight Watchers, I have attended them over the past 30 yrs.. I thought the Band was the answer for me.. GOT deopressed when It got removed, but I moved forward and I no longer beat myself UP..I am much happier and healthier person without the band and I can do this on muy OWN.. LIFE GOES ON WITHOUT THE 12000 LAP BAND I PAID FOR OUT OF MY POCKET.... LOVE JOGGING AND WILL CONTINUE IT DAILY LIFE AT 56 ................IS GREAT.. EVEN WITH A OCCASIONAL GLASS OF WINE. DIANE IN SAN DIEGO....DOING IT ON MY OWN..

LIFE goes on without the Band as I found out.. and GOOD OLD GOOD DIET AND JOGGING 4.5 MILES A DAY HELPED ME OUT... 2X SLIPS BAND REMOVED, AND I AM HAPPIER NOW.. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AFTER SURG:thumbup:

you should do research. I had the band and had it slip 2x. I had to have it removed, 12000 out of my pocket, Glad I did and now I run and watch what I eat and do it on my own.... Be real careful to read up on slippage. Do what your suppose to do and FOLLOW THE BAND RULES MOST OF ALL

Please be brave and remember that your health is what is most important..I was bebanded also in March..Now I try my best and watch what I eat and go to KIckboxing 5x a wk and started jogging 9 miles a wk, GOOD LUCK TO YOU and we support you all the way

It's been 3 months since my band was removed.. I am making little changes to my diet to keep the weight off.. I had mine for 2 yrs. BUT I did join a BOXING GYM.. A big change for me to do, but I found out I like kick boxing and it keeps me going 5x a wk. I am learning how to box.. and take care of me. I am also slowly learning how to eat healthier and to really really watch what I eat.. IF I feel I can't do it on my own.,then WEIGHT WATCHERS here I come.. IT is a good program and I have done it before but always quit.. SO I am very glad all of you are here to talk to.. Happy MOthers Day Diane iN Ca:tt2::welldoneclap:

I guess I should put in my two cents worth on this subject. I hand the band for 2 yrs...Had 1 slip had it fixed. Second slip and the Dr. removed the band.. NOW AFTER 3 months out.. I am EATING very carefully, and going to a BOXING gym 6 days a week.. I have maintained my weight loss so far for the past 3 months.. I CAN DO this AND I PLAN on keeping the weight off and watching what I put in my mouth. I am grateful for you guys talking about this subject matter. I was really depressed when I had the band was removed, but I am pass it now.and I am a much happier camper.. BUt my butt at the gym and Be careful ofwhat I stick in my mouth Thanks all for being here

Thanks for your input.. I had a bad slip x2 and had to have the band removed.. NOw it is slow eating,, wise eating, and going to the GYM 6x a week

ONCE AGAIN I AM HERE, WT 128. I AM STILL UNFILLED AND STRETCHED. SO I PUT MYSELF ON A LIQUID SOFT DIET. NEED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. GOING TO INDIANA NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT I EAT BE GOOD OH YEAH DR TOMORROW :eek::smile::smile::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

ONCE AGAIN I AM HERE, WT 128. I AM STILL UNFILLED AND STRETCHED. SO I PUT MYSELF ON A LIQUID SOFT DIET. NEED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. GOING TO INDIANA NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT I EAT BE GOOD OH YEAH DR TOMORROW :smile::smile::cursing::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Tell me how things go.. I have heard nice things about your Dr. Diane in San Diego

HI I am from IB We are very close Diane IN San DIego

HOPE all goes well for you and soon you will be banded Diane in san diego

:omg::omg::omg::omg::omg::help::help::help::help::cursing::mad::heh::embarassed::notagree:rolleyesNOW FOR THE REST FO THE STORY.. HAPPY NEW YR DIANE.. YOU HAVE MADE IT ONCE AGAIN THRU A YR... DID PRETY GOOD THIS YR. ON THE SAD SIDE YOU LOST A SISTER AND BURIED HER.. VERY YOUNG,, I MISS HER A GREAT DEAL BUT LIFE IS SHORT AND GOES ON. SHE IS IN A BETTER PLACE. ON A ANOTHER NOTE,I HAVE A BROTHER STRUGGLING WITH OBESITY. AND SKITSO.. VERY SAD, THE LAST 3 SIBBLINGS WERE NOT WELL IN THEIR ADULT LIVES, AND THNK GOD ONLY 2 KIDS.. ONE DOING WELL THE OTHER NOT... :omg::help: SO I GO INTO THE NEW YR WITH A BETTER INSURANCE SUPPORT BUT I HAVE NOT GOT IT IN MY HEAD NOT TO OVER EAT I CAN SAY THAT I HAVE FOR MOST OF THE TIME, STAYED OFF BREAD PRODUCTS,, EXCEPT AN OCCASIONAL BISKET OR SANDWICH. SO I NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM BREAD.. ANOTHER THING IS NOT TO OVER EAT WHAT SO EVER.. I DONT KNOW IF THE STOMA IS STRETCHED ORNOT.IT WASN;T A MONTH AGO OR SO. NOW THAT I HAVE 2 INSURANCES THAT COVER THIS FRIGEN BAND I SHOULD BE OK,, BUT I NEED TO STOP OVEREATING.. DAM..... WELL GOING INTO 2008 WITH A WT OF 129,, I WANT TO GO DOWN TO 122.. AND STAY THERE...AND WILL DO THE EFFORT OF GOING TO THE GYM, THIS IS NOT A PROMISE ,, THIS WILL HAPPEN MS SANDS LOVE ME DIANE:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::glasses:glasses:glasses:rain::rain::rain:

:omg::omg::omg::omg::omg::help::help::help::help::mad::heh::embarassed::notagree:rolleyesNOW FOR THE REST FO THE STORY.. HAPPY NEW YR DIANE.. YOU HAVE MADE IT ONCE AGAIN THRU A YR... DID PRETY GOOD THIS YR. ON THE SAD SIDE YOU LOST A SISTER AND BURIED HER.. VERY YOUNG,, I MISS HER A GREAT DEAL BUT LIFE IS SHORT AND GOES ON. SHE IS IN A BETTER PLACE. ON A ANOTHER NOTE,I HAVE A BROTHER STRUGGLING WITH OBESITY. AND SKITSO.. VERY SAD, THE LAST 3 SIBBLINGS WERE NOT WELL IN THEIR ADULT LIVES, AND THNK GOD ONLY 2 KIDS.. ONE DOING WELL THE OTHER NOT... :omg::help: SO I GO INTO THE NEW YR WITH A BETTER INSURANCE SUPPORT BUT I HAVE NOT GOT IT IN MY HEAD NOT TO OVER EAT I CAN SAY THAT I HAVE FOR MOST OF THE TIME, STAYED OFF BREAD PRODUCTS,, EXCEPT AN OCCASIONAL BISKET OR SANDWICH. SO I NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM BREAD.. ANOTHER THING IS NOT TO OVER EAT WHAT SO EVER.. I DONT KNOW IF THE STOMA IS STRETCHED ORNOT.IT WASN;T A MONTH AGO OR SO. NOW THAT I HAVE 2 INSURANCES THAT COVER THIS FRIGEN BAND I SHOULD BE OK,, BUT I NEED TO STOP OVEREATING.. DAM..... WELL GOING INTO 2008 WITH A WT OF 129,, I WANT TO GO DOWN TO 122.. AND STAY THERE...AND WILL DO THE EFFORT OF GOING TO THE GYM, THIS IS NOT A PROMISE ,, THIS WILL HAPPEN MS SANDS LOVE ME DIANE:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::glasses:glasses:glasses:rain::rain::rain:

:thinkWell ITS BEEN almost 2 yrs since I was banded in TJ. I started out. I had a lot of ups and downs the first yr..then exactly 1 yr to the date I had a slip.. Had to pay for that one out of my pocket,,, as I was self paid for the org surg...3/29/06. Slip was fixed on 3/39/07...so lets see 8000 plus 5000 is 13000.. So now I have Tricare West approving lap band surg which they didnt when I had my org surg done.. Even so I didnt meet their requirements.. I was 32 BMI.. I was just tired of gaining 10 pds every yr.. LIKE alot of us.. Anyway I am a federal employee so I enrolled in a PPO BCBS for me only not my husband, now I have coverage for the band in case I have port problems or erosion or whatever else goes wrong,, BUt NOW I can get my fills and not have to pay for them.. and so started out at st 178 and I am holding at wt 129, but I am unfilled at this point and have gained 10pds in 5 months,, I was sick and was not keeping anything down so the Dr. unfilled me and kept me unfilled, which is ok but now I am ready for a small fill. I had no idea that if your unfilled that the BAND CAN still give you some restriction.. Dr didnt tell me this,, but this group did..... SO I am ready to go into 2008 with a slight fill and hopefully have a good yr... with the band.. This band is good for me and I dont want to ever loose it. I have a goal weight of 125 that I want to maintain... I will have to see what this new yr brings me.. I love this group and hope to learn new things this coming yr from all of your posts. 3/29/06 178.125/129 slip fixed 3/29/07 Dr. Lopez Corvala TJ Diane in San Diego Happy New yr to alll:clap2::embarassed::notagree:rolleyes:rolleyes:

I assume that that the PCP has to ensure that the patient meets TRICARE REQUIREMENTS first before the referral is written up.. I would take a copy of the transmital with me to the appointment with the PCP. When I took a copy of my Lap Band Surg procedure that was done in Mexico and had it put in to my medical folder, they didnt have a clue as to what procedure I had done. WHen I asked my PCP about getting referred out to see a DR.in the US again she didnt have a clue as to what I was talking about.. GO IN WITH ALL YOUR GUNS first.. Tricare is new at this and the better you are informed the more they need to be informed. I just want TRIcare to cover my fills and maintenance when I need it.. PLUS BCBS is my back up now.. SO I know I wont have any problems getting insurance to cover me.. GOOD LUck DIane in San Diego

I THINK I AM VERY STRETCHED AND I KNOW I AM UNFILLED, I HAVE BEEN EATING EVERYTHING I CAN AND WHATEVER I WANT TODAY IS DEC 27, 2007.. SOON 2008 IS COMING UP. I HAVE BEEN EMPTY FOR SINCE AUGEST.. SO I HAVE GONE FROM 118 TO 128. PDS SO OVERALL I HAVE GAINED 10 PDS SINCE AUGEST... I KNOW I AM STRETCHED, BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE A SLIPPED BAND AGAIN I HOPE NOT. DIANE

I THINK I AM VERY STRETCHED AND I KNOW I AM UNFILLED, I HAVE BEEN EATING EVERYTHING I CAN AND WHATEVER I WANT TODAY IS DEC 27, 2007.. SOON 2008 IS COMING UP. I HAVE BEEN EMPTY FOR SINCE AUGEST.. SO I HAVE GONE FROM 118 TO 128. PDS SO OVERALL I HAVE GAINED 10 PDS SINCE AUGEST... I KNOW I AM STRETCHED, BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE A SLIPPED BAND AGAIN I HOPE NOT. DIANE

That Is How Jacked Up Tricare Is.. You Have To Do Their Job For Them If You Want To Get Surg Approval.. Real Pathtic If You Ask Me. I Am So Glad I Go A Second Ppo With Bcbs... Now I Dont Have To Deal With Tricare West Anymore Diane In San Diego

I quit 7 yrs ago and I dont ever want to start again....I wish you all the luck in the world....It is a bad habit in deed I smoked for 30 yrs.... YOU GO GIRL...... Diane in San DIego

HOw much do you want to get down to., and how tall are you?? Diane in San Diego

THANK for all your help.. I am checking things out and hopefully I will get some answers from the Web sites. Diane

So tell me how do I get the codes for FILLS and SLIPPED Bands to see if Tricare covers these also.. WHAT IS THE WEB SITE FOR TRICARE POLICY MANUAL. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER DIANE IN SAN DIEGO CA

<p>SO WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THIS.. AND TO ACTUALLY READ THAT TRI CARE WEST COVERS LAP BAND SURGERY</p> <p>I PAID FOR THIS SURG MAR 2006 AND A SLIP ON AR 2007 TO THE TUNEOF 13,000. OUT OF MY OWN POCKET.. THEN I TOOK OUT BCBS DUE TO THE FACT THAT TRICARE WEST DOESNT COVER MY LAP BAND MAINTENANCE,, IE SLIP OR PORT PROBLEMS</p> <p>SO AS A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE AND A DEPENDENT OF A RETIREE,</p> <p>YOUR SAYING TRICARE WEST COVERS </p> <p>LAP BAND FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE SELF PAID</p> <p> </p> <p>I FIND IT VERY HARD THAT THEY ARE COVERING THE PROCESS.DIANE IN SAN DIEGO CA</p> <p>62" 54 YRS OLD</p> <p>3.29.06</p> <p>DR Lopez</p> <p>180/125/128</p> <p>slip</p> <p>3/27/07</p> <p>130</p> <p>now 128</p>

I am glad your getting your surg thru the MTF. They get to pay for it vice you....CONGRATS Diane in San DIego