savannahsmommie

So I guess I was pushy enough for my WLS. He had the office contact Katherine at home and she called me this morning. She said that she would personally have someone in the office fax it over this morning and then she would call Tricare herself and verify it was receieved. She said she would call me back once she spke with them. Ha! She called from home and didn't block her number. Better believe if I don't hear from her by three I'm calling her from home!

I stuffed 4lbs of BB's in each cup of my bra and put two pound ankle weights on each ankle! And I made my weigh in with 3 pounds to spare!

My WLS office is two hours from my house. I have spoken to managers, coordinators, and billing. Everyone keeps telling me I have to wait for Katherine. I called Tricare and they can't do anything until the get the request. I asked the WLS office to fax me over the auth request and my record and they said Katherine handles it and will be back at the end of the month.

AHHHH! So I can been calling Tricare and my WLS office for the last two days. I finally got through to someone at the WLS that had some knowledge of what was needed. I got their fax number and called Tricare back because they needed to know what Fax number the auth request was coming from. Turns out they never faxed it in!! So I call back to the WLS office and they argue and say they did and they will fax it again. They still have not faxed it! I am so pissed and angry I started crying....

I can't get an answer out of my surgeon's office now. I have been calling all day yesterday and today...EH!

I'm sorry. I am waiting to hear back from Triwest and nothing so far. Mine was submitted about two weeks ago. Nothing even showing pending. Eh!! You should appeal it and good luck!

So I am on my feet 12 hours a day 5 days a week. On my feet, I mean my butt doesn't hit a chair until I get off work. 8am to 8pm and sometimes alittle later. I have two little children at home and no lunch. Literally, my lunch consists of eating a veggie delight from subway inbetween rooming patients and doing sutures. I also work from 6pm to 9am Saturday night into Sunday morning, but that's home care for an elderly lady so it's pretty simple. No physical activity. I don't know where to fit in exercise. I'm nervous that I truly will not have time to fit it in. I refuse to take my time away from my children because I have so little of it as it is. Any suggestions?

You have to do what's right for you. I don't doubt that everyone has had second thoughts at one point or another. You just have to remember that even if you choose not to do the surgery now and continue on your diet, you can always go back to the lap band. However, doing the lapband without the diet isn't as easy when trying to go back. good luck!

I've had my EGD done last week and it went ok. I have ulcers so I am waiting for the biopsy results. That same day I had EKG and Ultrasound of liver and gallbladder. Those were normal. So now all I am waiting on is biopsy results and surgery date. And you?

Hey. I am a medical assitant and any of our patients that are going into Mexico we are giving Tamiflu. It's a preventative messure and you could talk to your PCP about it. Good luck. Lots of hand washing. No toughing your eyes, nose or mouth. No shaking hands. Unfortunately, masks don't do a whole lot.

What insurance do you have? I have not been banded by him yet, but am going thru the process. He seems great, I'm just not to found of his staff. Good luck!

I had my EGD done on Saturday in Beverly Hills and was told I have a ulcer. They gave me some Nexium and told me to just keep taking it for a month. I was kind of out of it so I don't know if this will postpone my surgery...anyone else have an ulcer??

Just curious for those of you that have had the lap band whether or not you had an excessive amount of extra skin after losing weight? I already know I will want a tummy tuck because I have saggy skin from having children, but I'm afraid it's going to look even worse after I lose the weight I want and need to. How's your skin looking?

I have noticed that there are a lot of people talking about quitting smoking before being banded because of requirements. Anyone start smoking again after being banded?

I don't want to start smoking again, but just the other person mentioned. I didn't plan on starting again after I gave birth and was done breastfeeding. Nicotine actually takes 72 hours to be completely out of your system. As for the cravings, every body is different. My father hasn't smoked in 12 years, but according to him he still craves one every single day. As for me, it's not so much an addiction. I enjoy smoking. Not the actual smoke, but it's relaxing. I have never been a consistant smoker. I smoke when I have a beer, or when I'm really stressed. Or even at times when I just want to join my husband out on the porch. I just want to know how it effected people that already had the lap band and started smoking again.

I originally had my EGD scheduled for 5/10. I have been calling every day since 4/15 asking if there are any cancellations for Saturday appts because I work Mon-Fri. I finally got someone to fit me in on 4/25! WoooHooo! Wish me luck. Anyone who has had it done yet, what should I expect?

Congrats! I can't wait to be where you are right now! heh. Happy losing!

Sadly enough I was 9 pounds underweight limit. I stuffed BB's in my bra, which helped me gain 4 hours. Then I did the two three pound fishing weights in each pocket. Wore a baggy shirt and I qualified. Thank goodness! You can do, just be creative. I also drank half a gallon of water while I was in the waiting room and then pee-d like a race horse after weigh in!

Nexium is a really good medication for acid reflux, but most insurances don't cover it. You can try getting Prilosec OTC, Aciphex, or Zantac. Acid reflux is really common. and if you cut out spicey foods, alcohol, chocolate it will minimize it! Good luck!

I am currently working with Weight Loss Centers. I had my seminar last Tuesday and my consult. I have my EGD scheduled for 5/10. I contacted them on 4/5/09 and things were rough at first, just getting to the seminar, but I stuck to it. Once I went to the seminar I saw why. There were over 40 people there. Then they do the one and one with the doctor. They also addressed other issues with me like possibilty for cosmetic surgery because I want a tummy tuck. They have already submitted to my insurance and it's only been two days. Good luck!

Good luck!

Congrats on the quiting smoking! I know how hard it is. I quit on 12/3/08 and still struggle. It's totally worth it! Good luck!

Hello, I am Tricare Prime. I saw my doctor on 4/7/09. Got consult apprv w/ surgeon on 4/13/09. I opted to use an out of network provider and had my seminar and consult on 4/14/09. I did lab work on 4/15/09 and my EGD is on 5/10/09. Haven't had the actual surgery apprv yet, but crossing my fingers!- ASH

I am meeting with the WLS today at 6pm. I am really nervous. I was already told by my PCM that they didn't think I weighed enough. But I do have HTN, so that will play in my favor. Wish me luck!

It went great yesterday! I meet the requirements after stuffing a few things in my bra. I have EGD scheduled 5/10 and did all my lab work this morning! 9 tubes at the lab! Felt like I was a pin cushion!