minpinmom

Are you North, South, etc., etc.

I am in Conroe, Texas (just North of Houston) I have my windows and doors open, enjoying the warm breeze and awaiting the rain. It is about 70 right now, but a storm is brewing and bringing freezing temps for the night. Bring on the fire place!

I was scared of hard candy right after surgery, so I took (not sure on spelling here) Chloreaseptic strips - they dissolve on your tongue and sure make your throat feel better. Looking back, I was being a weenie for nothing - but I could sure picture accidentally swallowing a hard candy and having to go back into surgery to remove it! Ha, we get silly when in pain.

I couldn't believe how small my scars are getting - and how swollen my entire stomach was after surgery - I guess that was from the anesthesia. Well, without further adieu . . .

Hey guys, I thought this was so freakin funny. I pulled up my online status with my Insurance and it shows that the Hospital/Dr.s claim for . . . Drum Roll . . . $46,521.64 My Insurance paid . . . $6783.74 I just thought that was too funny not to share.

It is just me, or can you not see my pics?

I couldn't believe how small my scars are getting - and how swollen my entire stomach was after surgery - I guess that was from the anesthesia. Well, without further adieu . . .

I am Tricare South and was banded Feb 19th. I didn't have any problems. My Dr. (Spiegel) in Houston, takes the insurance and so does the hospital he uses. There is a thread I started called The comical amount my Dr. charged my insurance .. . They charged 47,000.00 and were paid about 7,000.00. You just need to make sure that the Dr. is using a Center of Excellence. It may be worth your time and money to travel to someone who does take it.

Just in case anyone wants to take a copy of the Changes regarding Lapband to their Dr.s appointments, here is the link to the PDF file - it is quite awkward to manipulate - so I copied and pasted the text into this post also. Tricare Manual Once it pulls up, choose "Section Affected by Change 66" Then Download the one named "C4S13_2". I also saved it as an attachment at the bottom - I hope it works. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 SURGERY C-66, December 10, 2007 CHAPTER 4 SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY ISSUE DATE: November 9, 1982 AUTHORITY: 32 CFR 199.4(e)(15) I. CPT1 PROCEDURE CODES 43644, 43770 - 43774, 43842, 43846, 43848, 43886 - 43888, S2083 II. DESCRIPTION Morbid obesity means the body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure, according to the most current Metropolitan Life Table, and such weight is in association with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates in association with morbid obesity; or, the body weight is 200% or more of ideal weight for height and bone structure. III. POLICY A. Gastric bypass, gastric stapling or gastroplasty, to include vertical banded gastroplasty is covered when one of the following conditions is met: 1. The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. 2. The patient is 200% or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category. 3. The patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown). B. In determining the ideal body weight for morbid obesity using the Metropolitan Life Table, contractors must apply 100 pounds (or 200%) to both the lower and higher end of the weight range. Payment will be allowed when beneficiaries meet all requirements for morbid obesity surgery including the ideal weight within the newly determined range. 1 CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government use. TRICARE POLICY MANUAL 6010.54-M, AUGUST 1, 2002 CHAPTER 4, SECTION 13.2 SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY 2 IV. EXCLUSIONS A. Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction. B. Biliopancreatic bypass (jejunoileal bypass, Scopinaro procedure) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven (CPT2 procedure code 43645, 43845, 43847, or 43633). C. Gastric bubble or balloon for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. D. Gastric wrapping/open gastric banding (CPT2 procedure code 43843) for treatment of morbid obesity is unproven. E. Unlisted CPT2 procedure codes 43659 (laparoscopy procedure, stomach); 43999 (open procedure, stomach); and 49329 (laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum) for gastric bypass procedures. F. Adjustable gastric band (open or laparoscopically) (CPT2 procedure codes 43770 - 43774, 43886 - 43888, and 90772). V. EFFECTIVE DATES A. Laparoscopic surgical procedure for gastric bypass and gastric stapling (gastroplasty), including vertical banded gastroplasty are covered, effective December 2, 2004. B. Laproscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. - END - 2 CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government use. C-66, December 10, 2007

Well, it is amazing how this band really works. I am down 9lbs. I am hoping to keep loosing 1-2 lbs a week until my fill. I feel some restriction (I think). I get full faster and I stay full longer - but I can eat about 1+ cups at a time. I am counting calories and trying to stay between 900 - 1100 a day. I am eating a lot of dairy and keeping my Protein at least 60 Grams a day. I feel great. I have my 2 week follow up with Dr. Spiegel on Monday the 10th, he said we would talk "fills" that day. I am so worried about a fill. Needles are my sworn enemy. My worst fear with the surgery was the stinkin IV. I am such a baby. I know I need a fill, because I can eat ANYTHING. Today was my first day on solids - bread is no problem, chicken is no problem, I really don't think anything will be a problem. I do find it hard to NOT drink for so long afterwards. I have always drank during my meals - and now, to not drink for 1.5 hours after - it's pretty hard. I feel that I am doing pretty good though - I am having to use will power to keep from eating lots of bad stuff. Hopefully I can keep it up till my first fill. I have started using www.fitday.com I LOVE it. It really allows me to see what I am doing - and how to improve.

My Dr. NEVER measured me - weigh me yes, every stinkin time. I would just TELL them your height and underestimate if you can. I would go ahead and create a list of diets, programs, weight loss drugs, diet pills, etc. My Surgeon had a HUGE packet to fill out on my initial visit and wanted diets and dates - of course, I made up all the dates - come on, I have been on Weight Watchers off and on my entire life - like I remember what month to what month. So I just put like 1/94-7/94, stuff like that. It didn't seem to make much of a difference, he just wanted to make sure I had tried to loose weight through diet. I will send the form to your email - since it is PDF, it won't let me post it here.

I researched and researched and he has such great success and is really the top surgeon in the US. Don't expect him to guide you through every single thing - you are paying him to install the band - surgeons are a different breed of people. If my insurance wouldn't have covered him, I don't think I would have used my insurance. I probably would have had to wait a few years and be self pay. I really respect him that much.

I eat off of my Southern Living At Home Plates - I guess they are desert plates, but not sure. They are small - but not tiny and they have beautiful scalloped edges. Makes dinner a little bit more special when you eat on pretty plates :-)

I haven't used it yet, but I got a card with my preop paperwork. However you can print your own off of obesityhelp. I guess it is ok to mention that website since Lapband talk doesn't offer cards. :-)

I am only 2 weeks out and I have a reoccurring pinched nerve in my back that causes my right thigh to go numb and burn (this time from walking bent over the first couple of days after surgery). I took my Flexeril (prescription nsaid) into my surgeon's on my 1 week follow up and asked if I could take it. He looked at the SIZE of the pill, said if it was a small amount it was ok - but not to take it regularly. He didn't want some big honkin pill sitting in the top of my pouch that was an NSAID. I would call your Dr.s office to make sure - since all Dr.s are so different. Let us know what they say.

When I went to my PCM, I took a paper with the name, address, phone and fax of the surgeon I wanted to see. I also took a copy of the paperwork showing the requirements for Lapband - I can send it to you if you need it (it is a pdf file). I have heard of PCMs not referring to the surgeon, so I would have my ducks in a row when you get there. Let them know you have done your research. The surgeon was the one who submitted to Tricare for the surgery. He was the one that wrote the letter of medical necessity.

I can't believe I haven't posted here - I was approved on 1/29 and had surgery on 2/19! I had no tests required by Tricare. (I didn't have any co-morbidities) The tests are going to be required by your Dr., not by Tricare, unless you are trying to prove a co-morbidity. I am 5'4" and weighed 259lbs. Tricare is now the easiest Insurance company for LapBand. As long as you meet their weight/height requirements you are approved! My approval (once Tricare received it) was approved in less than 1 day. Good Luck!

Wow, I am so glad you posted that. I have an aversion to Mayo - I can't even stand the smell of it. I finally get to try chicken salad! Thanks

Well, it is amazing how this band really works. I am down 9lbs. I am hoping to keep loosing 1-2 lbs a week until my fill. I feel some restriction (I think). I get full faster and I stay full longer - but I can eat about 1+ cups at a time. I am counting calories and trying to stay between 900 - 1100 a day. I am eating a lot of dairy and keeping my Protein at least 60 Grams a day. I feel great. I have my 2 week follow up with Dr. Spiegel on Monday the 10th, he said we would talk "fills" that day. I am so worried about a fill. Needles are my sworn enemy. My worst fear with the surgery was the stinkin IV. I am such a baby. I know I need a fill, because I can eat ANYTHING. Today was my first day on solids - bread is no problem, chicken is no problem, I really don't think anything will be a problem. I do find it hard to NOT drink for so long afterwards. I have always drank during my meals - and now, to not drink for 1.5 hours after - it's pretty hard. I feel that I am doing pretty good though - I am having to use will power to keep from eating lots of bad stuff. Hopefully I can keep it up till my first fill. I have started using www.fitday.com I LOVE it. It really allows me to see what I am doing - and how to improve.

Walk, walk, walk. Mine lasted about 4 days, but I walked constantly. It will make you feel so much better. This gas is caused by the anesthesia. You may also have gas from swallowing air when you drink - try Gas X strips for that. Good Luck!

It is crazy, but, I realized last night when I beat myself up after eating a late snack of (mmm) refried beans lol. That my behavior hasn't changed. I was embarrassed that I was hungry at 8:00 and had to resort to eating fat free low calorie beans? WTF? Who am I kidding. I am still eating 1/4 of what I used to - I need to get over that.

Are you on thin liquids or thick liquids? There are some great threads in the food section. I just went through those stages. Thin liquids - my favorite was hot and sweet soup from our local Chinese restaurant, (strained the solid pieces) lots of homemade broths. Another good one, not sure if it is thin or thick (wasn't clear). Take a can of Bean and Bacon soup, add about 2 cups of beef broth (or water or chicken broth, or whatever) heat, then strain. It tasted so yummy. The thicker stuff I loved Broccoli and cheese homemade soup blended. OMG, it was like Heaven. Then when I moved to mushies, I would eat it on top of a soft baked potato. MMM.

You crack me up. I have just started logging everything I eat. I am using Fitday.com I really like their site. But man oh man, when you actually write it all down and SEE how much you are eating - wow. I think this will become my new obsession. It helps me decide how much of what I really want to eat.

Also, check your temperature, when you get the chills, your temperature is rising, when you get hot sweats, it has usually broken. Might be helpful to know your temp when you call.

I don't know if you have found the "BLOGS" section yet, but lots of us have a Blog where we journal our thoughts and progress though this journey. I started one and now I don't know how I ever lived without it. There are some wonderful stories on there too!