Dave_NW

Tricare Prime doesn't have a deductible, (unlike Tricare Standard, I believe.) All you should have to pay for is the $25 co-pay for the surgery. After following the process, starting with getting the referral to a WL surgeon from your PCM, the rest falls into place VERY easily. In my case, surgery approval took just three days. If you meet the requirements Tricare posts on their website, approval is nearly automatic. Here is what Tricare says about surgery, and who is eligible: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Gastric Bypass TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty to include vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band surgery) is covered only when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions:Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery (takedown) TRICARE does not cover: Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon for the treatment of morbid obesity Note for Active Duty Service Members: Bariatric surgery represents a major and permanent change in your digestive system that requires strict adherence to a specific dietary regimen that may interfere with operational deployment. A history of bariatric surgery is already a bar to military service and receiving bariatric surgery while on active duty may be grounds for separation. For more information, view the Health Affairs Policy 07-006. Last Modified:August 6, 2009 f obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction [*]Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon for the treatment of morbid obesity Note for Active Duty Service Members: Bariatric surgery represents a major and permanent change in your digestive system that requires strict adherence to a specific dietary regimen that may interfere with operational deployment. A history of bariatric surgery is already a bar to military service and receiving bariatric surgery while on active duty may be grounds for separation. For more information, view the Health Affairs Policy 07-006. Last Modified:August 6, 2009 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Good luck! Dave

Lauren, as others have said, you need to put it into perspective. For every individual who posts here (or elsewhere) with a problem, there are THOUSANDS who have no trouble at all. And if everything is going right, there aren't likely to be posts from those people. Even on this forum, if you read the older posts, there are many names of successful bandsters who have achieved their goals, and they've moved on. Some of the most prolific posters here haven't posted anything in several years. Why? I think it's because they got what they needed and they're out living their new lives. So rather than focus on the potential problems others may be having, try to concentrate on what you'll do to NOT have those kinds of issues. As band surgery gets to be more commonplace, and more surgeons have more experience doing it, the rate of complications should logically be going down. If you find an experienced surgeon, study things to prepare yourself, and follow your own journey through the process, you'll be best prepared to have a successful banding. If you follow the rules, the odds are in your favor you'll be just fine. Wishing you best of luck on your journey, and fantastic success along the way. Dave

Sounds good. Thanks, Melody. I'm still learning to listen to my system, and how to properly interpret what it's telling me. Since I went off liquids and onto soft foods I've been trying to find my "stride" of what and how much to eat, while keeping other things in balance. "Learning how to use the tool" is how I'm thinking of it. As I'm pretty well healed from surgery, I'm finding it easier to feel and listen to the band, which is definitely telling me how much I can eat. It's pretty interesting, really. And actually kind of simple, at least so far. All the rhetoric about Protein first, watch the carbs, drink lots of Water, and daily exercise are coming together into a daily process that seems to be working. The mini-plateau I hit after going away from just a liquid diet has evaporated, (as well as the few pounds I gained by doing that), and I expect the scale to begin dropping again for real in the next day or two. The journey continues... Dave

Bandedinitaly, that original post was from six months ago. I hope Crazylegs is doing well. Dave

Congratulations on making your decision, Susi! I know it was hard, but as I said, you need to choose what's right for you. I wish you nothing but success with things. Good luck! Dave

Spanx? www.spanx.com Dave

Heather, can you share a bit of info about this book? I'm looking for advice/recipes/techniques for how to eat properly with a band. Especially before i get my first fill in two weeks. Now that the honeymoon is over, my postop weight loss has ended, and I'm juggling between bandster hell and eating too much at mealtimes. That, and feeling like I'm on a "few pounds up, a few pounds down" teeter totter. I went to a local bookstore today, but found nothing about bariatric cooking. Anyone else have suggestions? Thanks, everyone. Dave

The Muscle Milk Light from Costco in the 8.25oz size is the only Protein shake I'm drinking. Of everything I've tried, it's the one I tolerate best. Drink it very cold, and it's pretty easy. But if you try one and dislike it, Costco will take the rest back. Just tell them it didn't work out for you, and you'll get your refund. Dave

Bob, think about your kitchen sink. It has stuff in it. Open the drain, turn on the tap, and Water washes things right down the drain. Your band is similar. food in the pouch can be "washed down the drain" into your lower stomach by drinking during meals. By eating slower, and not drinking during meals, food stays in the pouch longer, and has more time to put pressure on the vagus nerve, resultng in you feeling "full" for a longer period of time. If you drink with meals, you flush things down, and you get hungry sooner. Everyone is different, but that's my understanding of how it's supposed to work. Dave

I agree with Melody. My surgeon says he puts in 14cc bands (when appropriate to the patient) because they just work better. Curious to see Fluffy's info. Dave

I can see the dichotomy you face. Maybe you should have a direct, face-to-face with him, and be frank. "I'm telling you as my chiropractor, and not as my client. I'm sharing this with you because I feel my chiropractor should know about this..." Or words to that effect. If he can make the distinction between the two hats he wears in your life, it may work the way you want. On the other hand, if you aren't comfortable, maybe it's time to find a new chiropractor. ??? Dave

Tori, it's as others have said - start with a referral from your PCM, and the rest falls directly into place. Just be sure your referral is to a Tricare-approved surgeon/clinic that is authorized to perform the surgery. I also live in Washington, and I have Tricare Prime. I just went through all this. I was referred to two different Tricare-approved places first, only to learn they don't/can't do the surgery. On the third go-round, I was finally referred to the right place, and everything was smooth sailing after that. If you're close to Ft. Lewis, they can do the surgery for you right at Madigan. They have surgeons on staff, and a very active bariatric program there. There are many others in your same shoes, so nobody will be judging you. In addition to lap band, they also do both RNY bypass AND the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, if either of those is a better option for you. I believe Madigan is the only place in Washington where you can get a sleeve surgery that Tricare will pay for. (I initially wanted to have that surgery, but found I could only get it at Madigan, which wouldn't work out for me. Banding was my second surgery choice.) If Madigan isn't an option for you, Swedish Hospital in Seattle is the next closest, I believe. (There may be others.) That's where I had my band surgery. Awesome program, excellent surgeons, great staff. They combine many appointments on the same day, which shortens the time from initial intake appointment to surgery approval. In my case it was about three weeks till I was approved by Tricare for surgery. Good luck with your journey! Dave

Melissa, can I just take a second to compliment you on your success? Your numbers are AWESOME, and your band guidelines read as a textbook case of how to properly live with a band. I will use these, if you don't mind, as a pattern for my own progress. I get my first fill in a few weeks, and I really want this to succeed. I'm nearly a third of the way to my goal, but I still have quite a ways to go yet. Congrats again, and wishing you continued success! :clap: Dave

As far as I know, it is only sold online. Dave

I was not maligning anyone. I was saying some doctors are more cautious than others, and mine happens to be extremely cautious. That was all I said. My 100% reference was about band placement and slippage, and his approach to how he allows his patients to progress into living with the band. It was not about how well that person performed after the fact. It was about healing from surgery. Let's not split hairs, ok? Dave

David, sorry to hear you're having trouble. You need to see your doctor. It sounds as if your band is too tight, and you need a small unfill. I would not go on your trip till you've resolved the issue. Good luck! Dave

I think you'll be fine. You'll probably be driving back to Flag, so the elevation increase will be slower. (Wave at my good friends who live there. ) I think the elevation thing is more about airplane heights - like tens of thousands of feet causing things to be tighter than at lower elevations. People get a fill one day, then jet off to wherever the next day, and develop an issue along the way. Just understand that your band tightness will change periodically. Good luck! Dave

You're right - I haven't read the book. But I am friends with several people who claimed to be experts on Atkins. They never ate carbs. Nobody I ever talked to on Atkins ate carbs. None of my friends are still on Atkins, and in fact, several of them are dead, from unexpected heart attacks and such at too-young of an age. So I made the leap that Atkins was anti-carb. Pardon the hell out of me for being mistaken. I was not criticizing you. But I think you'd agree it doesn't much matter what I think. Since you are obviously vehemently defensive of your desire to use Atkins, then go for it. Nobody here will stop you. I wish you success in your weight loss, and a safe and happy New Year. Dave

Hey Chad. Welcome to the party! Have a seat and join in the fun. All topics are welcome. Good luck with your journey! Dave

I think it's related to the surgeon, and his/her success rate. Those who are more cautious probably want to minimize the chances for problems, whereas those who aren't as experienced, or who aren't as concerned may be a bit more cavalier in allowing patients to move on to solids or whatever shortly after surgery. My surgeon insists on three weeks of liquid diet after surgery. That liquid diet is Protein shakes, broth, and Water. Period. No pureed anything, no Soup you can't see through, no yogurt, Jello or popsicles. He won't even allow patients to drink through a straw. His logic: He uses more stitches to put the band in place, so there is more to heal. He doesn't want slippage or stitches pulling out, so the band needs time to fully heal into place. After that three weeks, he skips patients directly to soft foods. No mushie stage. And three weeks after that, he gives the first fill (liquid diet for two days), then allows the patient to go on to solid foods. His success rate is virtually 100%. I can't argue with that kind of number. Dave

Before I had surgery I only told a few people I was having it done. After I was off work for three weeks and came back on a light-duty status, it was a bit harder to not tell people who asked after me. But when I came back to work substantially lighter than I was prior to surgery, they all commented on how much better I looked, and many asked if I'd had weight loss surgery. (I work at a hospital, so it's harder to hide stuff like that.) After trying to dodge things with some folks, I finally figured, "What the hell?" and I ended up telling anyone who asked about it what I had done. I don't care who knows. Everyone has been great about it, and some are openly jealous. One side effect is that several people have asked me about the surgery, about insurance, and where they can learn more about the process. The ones most interested are people who seriously need to have surgery, so maybe by being honest I may actually help some folks out. My Mom taught me to always tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember what you said. Dave

Kim, spend some time reading through some of the THOUSANDS of posts here about this process. Everyone has a different journey, and a different experience. There is no one answer that says everything. Check the forum titles, and work your way through it. You'll be better off for exerting a little effort. The more educated about things you are, the better your own experience will be. Good luck! Dave

This is so weird. The last couple of days, my stomach has been itching. Not inside, but outside. It's like my skin can't stand to be contained under my clothes. It's localized on my stomach skin, not on my back or sides or chest. I get all antsy, and have to gently rub my skin under my shirt. (Not the best image, since I'm at work...) After awhile it goes away, but it comes back now and again. I'm not eating anything weird, don't normally have allergies, and I have no idea what's going on. It's like the nerves are misfiring or something. Anyone else experience this, or have any ideas what it may be? Dave

Hi All. I was banded December 6, and recovered from surgery pretty easily. Had a few sidetracks along the way, (like learning I am lactose intolerant), but overall, it's gone well. I was on Protein shakes and Water for three weeks, and lost a fair amount of weight. Now that I'm cleared for soft foods, I'm eating smart (I think) high protein meals, supplementing with Protein Shakes, and sipping the ever present water. I haven't eaten anything I'd consider "wrong" (no sweets, fried foods, no alcohol), and feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. So why has my weight loss stalled? Where I was losing about a pound a day, in the last week I've only lost two pounds, and today I'm actually up a pound. I'm confused. Anyone have ideas about this? Why is it happening, and what can/should I do about it? Thanks, Dave

I always had better success folowing a South Beach kind of diet - high Protein, low glycemic carbs. It felt more balanced than Atkins, which was so anti-carb. As one nurse bluntly put it to me, "You need sugar for your brain, you idiot!" LOL! Dave