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TRICARE STANDARD DIARY
 

Psyc eval

I started this blog because I couldn't find the info I wanted concerning triwest standard. I want to share my experience as I go and welcome any one to add their experience or comments.   I went to a seminar, which was the first step for my surgeon (medical weight loss surgery, Las Vegas, Meadows LN) At this time I was feeling like it was a long shot that I wold be a candidate for the surgery, and a miracle if insurance would approve it. When I went to the seminar to be honest I think I was the smallest person there which made me have less hope. Yet when the surgeon started speaking about the FDA now approving surgery for people with a BMI above 30, as a result of the growing obesity population; I felt hopeful once again.
purplewawa

purplewawa

0
Ballajenn34's Blog
 

QUESTIONS for the NEW GIRL

Hi Everyone!   My name is Jennifer Im 21 years old I weigh about 347 and am 5"11 . I FINALLLY got approved for surgery. I was denied back in 08 and now in 2011 it will happen. My surgery date is Jan 10th. I am not required to do a pre-op 2 week diet. But i had a few questions.   1) What foods "liquids" can i eat for 2 weeks After surgery??   2) How bad is the pain after surgery? ( im a baby and dont do well with pain) ive heard of taking gas -x strips any other recommendations?   3) is drinking sugarfree red bull ok? i heard after surgery for a couple weeks your weak and i need to get back to school and work as soon as possible   4) ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME I WILL TAKE AND BE GRATEFUL FOR! hope to hear from everyone soon  
Ballajenn34

Ballajenn34

6
SarahGirl's Blog
 

Real Talk

Heyy Everyone!! Okay...sooo!! Things are really moving in my journey. The original plan was to wait until next week to even see about my Lap Band. Well, my mom talked to a doctor she used to work with this morning when I was playing around on Facebook and was like, "Hey, hon...Uhm...I talked to the doctor who's going to be the one to refer you to the health clinic for the procedure...do you want to go tomorrow and begin the process?" I was in shock and was like "Sure...." Tomorrow I go to get bloodwork done and then to talk to the doctor. I am sooo scared to get that done!! My biggest fear is to hear them tell me that I'm in the early phases of becoming a diabetic. I don't think I'm gonna be able to sleep tonight. HAHAHA! From what my mom told me, this is gonna take a couple of months from tomorrow until my procedure date. I'm really praying that it will be during my spring break but it might be during my summer break. **Sigh** We'll see. hahaha. Well, I guess that there is nothing else to say until whatever goes down tomorrow!! Love you guys! BYEE!    
SarahGirl

SarahGirl

0
Blog 81803
 

One year Anniversary...down 70 lbs :)

So, I had my sugery one year ago today and I am down 70lbs. I am very pleased even though when I first began my journey I did expect the weight to come off a little quicker but I finally realized this is the way it is suppose to happen. Although I lost weight from Dec. to July it was slow going but when I finally hit the correct fill I have been losing about a 1lb a week. The best part is that I have not gain anything back. I can not remember when the last time was that I did not lose then gain lose then gain...this is a good feeling. I would like to lose 50 more lbs (ideally I probably should lose 75 but I will be very happy with 50 more lost). I am ready for the new year and I am feeling pretty good about it!! Hope everyone else is feeling the same as well. :P :P :P :P :P
srosek

srosek

5
Blog 104709
 

One of the hardest struggles on this path

I am loosing weight, but every time I step on the scale I am expecting to put weight back on, or be at a dead stop. I lost 5 lbs when I had the stomach virus and gained 3lbs back and freaked out. I totally hate that part of the mentality. The expecting that this is all the weight I am going to loose or it is going to come all back at once. Like one morning I am going to wake up and be a size 18 and then the next morning I am going to be a 24. It is a challange to get rid of clothes that no longer fit because I keep thinking, "what if I get fat again?" Truth is, I am only going to gain the weight back if I forget that this is a life time journey and I can't go back to the way I was or I will. Truth is, I am just baffled and amazed that I can not accept that I have lost this weight. I have gone from a 24-18 and the nurse at the office thinks I will be in a 14 by the end of January. Really, how is that possible?   I should recognize that it isn't JUST the band that brought me this far. The band hardly has any restriction right now. It is a lot of hard work on my part. I am careful what I eat and I am exercising my butt literally off. I have lost inches and I should be proud, not fearful that it is all coming back. It is really silly isn't it?   When you are overweight and spend years yo yoing with your weight up and down and down and up and over and up and,....... Well you understand, when you keep having these moments, it's like, "Hey, what if the same thing happens again." Truthfully one of the only ways it can go back to the way it was is if A. WE allow it to or B. We have something medically not working for us. With the band for once in our lives we can be in control of our destiny.
Cangel76

Cangel76

2
Bird's Nest
 

Hobbies help

I finished my first real quilt and was trying to figure out how to post pics in a thread to share with friends. Spending time doing some sort of hobby helps me stay away from too many snacks. I guess for now all I can figure out is how to post pics in my blog or an album.
Humming Bird

Humming Bird

1
Project Disney's Blog
 

When I was Young I wanted a BMW, now that I am Older I don't need the W

If you giggled at the blog title above you're probably in or near my age bracket. Honestly, I am ready to make a point here. Since I have been eating healthty and allowing my band to work for me I haven't had "said problem". I know it is because of the extra fiber I am consuming by eating fresh vegetables and fruit and my homemade vegetable soups with lentels and beans etc. So this has been another side benefit from choosing to eat healthy and staying on track. And the energy level has encreased as well. It's been 3 weeks of my new devotion to my lap band and am now seeing and feeling change. I am thrilled. So friends and members keep those fruits and Veggies filling your gas tank and soon you too will be running like a well oiled BMW. he he Dolly    
Project Disney

Project Disney

0
Blog 3924
 

TCQ - 2 Months Post op - Long Over due

Hello everyone! I know it's been forever but here it is. I hope this is helpful for someone out there. (i tried to attach pics but it wont let me, so i'll add them to my gallery)   It has been two incredible months of this amazing journey.And I have to say it is absolutely different then anything I imagined. I feelgreat, life is moving along just as it should be. Food has become a necessity, which before was just a hugepart of me. I do crave cake or ice cream, but am proud to say that I wont eatit. And that’s feeling it’s much more amazing then the actual sweet fix.Protein wise, having a difficult time getting the entire required portion. Ijust cannot stand it anymore. So Itry to consume them in different foods. And been able to eat better foods makesit easier. I do get full very fast. My family cannot believe how little I eatand wonder how I survive. The one thing I’ve noticed is that my stomach hurtswhen I don’t eat. I guess its normal not sure. Vitamins, I’ve been taking Adult gummies, they areyummy. I also take iron and Biotinfor my hair and skin. Thankfully I haven’t experience any hair loss. But I’vealways been on top of my Biotin and hair treatment. So that could be the mainreason.   Exercise has become my best friend. It makes me feel great,more energetic and it’s me time. Thisis where the transferred addictions come to place. But while am loving it, amnot making it an obsession. At the gym I don’t have to worry about what to wearnow that much of my clothing do not fit me any more. Leggings and Sweat pantshave become an everyday clothing choice. Been down 2 dress sizes is amazing. People’s complements are soencouraging and necessary to keep at it. My Family and friends have been soosupportive and loving.   The attention from the opposite sex is great also. It buildsup my self-steam and makes me happy. Since I am single and wanting to getmarried sometime in the future, it gives me hope and it works as a motivation.And even though am doing all this for me, not for the guys, its good to knowthat they are noticing all the effort.   In conclusion, yes this is a very difficult process, but itis manageable. It’s a matter of getting used to and excepting the changes thatwill come. As the weeks pass, you will see that all the sacrifices made werefor the best reason, for a better you. A better person, better mom, betterwife, better friend… Now life hasmore meaning.   In two months, I’ve lost 50 lbs. Down two dress sizes...            
MDqueen

MDqueen

8
Camille01's Blog
 

13 days--until I know how much longer in this old body(Yeah--I need a little help)

I have my 1st consult with my surgeon and her team,I am getting more excited as the days move on,I have a lot of my Information that the doctor and the insurance requires,1st I have my 6 month weight management 3 months down,I hope that they dont want the whole 6 months,I am ready for my 2 weeks of clear liquid,I am ready to loose weight....Yeah....   Any body in this with me?     Who has there appointment scheduled for the same day?     What food in the liquid diet are we really allowed to eat? anybody have a good Idea?
camille01

camille01

5
Blog 104709
 

Thoughts On Exercise.

7 months ago, when I started this journey, if you asked me how much I thought Exercise would play in this, I would honestly tell you, just a little. I mean I figured three days a week at the gym and smaller meals should be enough. Well, for some it might be, however, EXERCISE plays such a huge roll in all of this. I had a day off yesterday due to the terrible weather, so here I am today, went back to the gym and I thought, "Wow I missed this." Since going to the gym I have started loosing the inches. Sure weight coming off is nice but I want to loose the inches. The inches make a huge difference, it makes you feel better to see the clothing sizes going down. The thing that keep me motivated is the gym and keeps me drinking my fluids. I just feel better, who would have thought it would have become such an addiction 4 weeks out.
Cangel76

Cangel76

1
Blog 2207
 

December 28, 2010

I called Anthem concerning a charge for my husband and decided to check on the status of my surgery approval. They said no paperwork was submitted by my surgeon's office! I called Kris and she was confused and told me she would refax everything. I checked last week to make sure she did and they told me at Anthem it arrived on the 15th and was sent to the Nurse-Reviewer on Friday the 17th.   This morning I called and it's still in the review process.....tick....tock.....tick....tock   So last week was a real blast! I finally got up the nerve to schedule my second colonoscopy. The first one revealed a narrowing of the colon, which lead to a colectomy (a removal of part of my colon) and a weeks stay in the hospital. I was very low in potassium and needed infusions.   I had been having some problems and of course feared the worse, ie colon cancer. I was told to have my next colonoscopy 3 years after my first and it's been about 6 years. So I was to do the prep on Tuesday afternoon and have the procedure on Wednesday morning. I only got about half the prep solution in when I had terrible cramps in my bowels and was nauseated. Because of the nausea I could not drink anymore prep solution. I was in hell all night with severe pain and dry heaves!   The next morning I called the surgery center and told them what happened. They just wanted to know if I was cleaned out and I told them no. Well, we finally decided since the vomiting stopped to take another prep solution at 7 pm and reschedule the test to take place the next morning at the hospital. I was scheduled to receive propofal to be more deeply sedated, but the hospital won't use it so it was the usual light sedation.     I was aware of a painful tearing feeling and I knew at one point my doctor's partner was in the room and the conversation (that I could not comprehend) led me to believe that something was NOT going right! I woke up and learned that I had scar tissue that was almost totally blocking my colon and the doctor used a balloon to stretch and tear the scar tissue. No wonder I was in pain and had so much trouble with the prep. I was not cleaned out due to the blockage so he could only scope a small section of my colon. Now I need to go for a follow up visit and see what he has in mind. He told my husband the scar tissue may need to be stretched more and he needs to finish the colonoscopy to check for polps or other problems. WONDERFUL! I hope things get better real soon!!
KabinKitty

KabinKitty

1
Tina's Ramblings
 

Depression

I'm not sure if any of you lived in a dark constant depression when you were gaining and at your heaviest. I am about to undergo surgery and i've realized i've been in a depression for 2 years. It is a realization that hit me HARD yesterday. I realized that all of my depressive moments which have been constant for quite some time were not all caused by Mom's illness and that indeed i was in a depression from going off of a medication 2 and 1/2 years ago. I dont really know what to blog about except that i hope the new medication helps me and that i can learn to stand back up and take back my life from the dark place its been all this time. The surgery day is coming soon after a 2 week liquid diet in which i have heard is the toughest part of the lap band procedure. I can do it though, it will all be worth it in the end Laters, Tina
Tinagrl

Tinagrl

2
Tami0520's Blog
 

Time To start whinning my self off caffine

So I am being banded in feb and boy oh boy do i like my iced lattes and soda . Which I have to stop drinking but its all going to be worth it .. I am going to be whinning myself off of them so i dont get caffine headaches which i do get when i dont have any caffine so the doctor reccomned that i do it slowly so I dont get really bad ones when i start my two week diet and than after the surgery plus they have alot of sugar in them so thats not a good thing because of the calories . I am getting reALLY nervous for this surgery but im sure i well do really well with it I am so excited!!!!
Tami0520

Tami0520

0
Blog 95523
 

Energy!

I am so excited to finally have some energy. I know when I began this journey five months ago I couldn't walk 1/2 mile back the road without being completely and utterly exhausted. I could do little else that day. I am now down the official 50 lbs and can walk 3 miles rather easily. The biggest difference is my energy level. I love having the energy not only to exercise but to keep on going...cleaning the house...shopping....taking my 4 children to their numerous sport activities...helping out my dad or mother in law. I feel like I can do it all. Before the lapband, I was so exhausted all of the time. I can't wait until I lose another 50 lbs. I truly will feel like the energizer bunny! I went to visit my sister over the Christmas holiday. Before, I would try to help out in the kitchen but would need to sit down due to my back hurting or just feeling plain tired. This trip, I cooked breakfast every morning for all 12 people (needless to say my sister was thrilled) . I was able to stay in the kitchen and help with every meal without needing to sit down. It was such a wonderful experience. My sister could see a huge difference in my "looks". However, she was much happier to see the difference in my ability to do the things that I wanted to do. That is called living and not just being a passive observer. That is something that I want to do...live and make memories!!!! I am loving my lapband!
Dadkins8

Dadkins8

3
How I lost 100lbs
 

1 yr post op...

So I had my 1 yr Bandiversary on 12/18.... I've been so busy I haven't had a lot of time to be around and check on on everyone.   But that being said, this year has been a bumpy one as far as my success with the band... band is fine, in place no problems. From Dec - April I did extremely well. May, eh... June eh.. next thing I know it's Nov and I'm almost at my surgery day weight. I was SHOCKED...   I was eating right, and ok so I wasn't exercising but then I figured it out... the coffee and sweet tea I drank every day were adding an extra 847-1200 calories to my diet per day. I didn't start drinking them until May when it got hot... and I spent the summer working in various locations so I made sure I got a coffee to start my day and 2 sweet teas to go along.. on those days we were hitting the 1200+ calorie mark on just the beverages alone. Of course it took me til after thanksgiving to figure this out, as I watched the scale creep up another 4lbs in 3 days, again I couldn't figure it out, I was SO tight I didn't really eat much at thanksgiving but ah yes, I was making my lil' runs to the closest QT (QuikTrip) for sweet tea and a caramel mach.   So here it is December and I feel like I'm almost back where I started... but now that I know and have STOPPED drinking them, the weight is rapidly shedding like it did before. This time next year I'm going to be where I want to be. So other than a lil' disappointed, I'm not worse for wear... but I definitely learned alot in this first year... I'm still down and still getting "OMGOODNESS You lost so much weight" compliments... so it's still working... now to just make up for lost time.   I hope all my fellow 1 yrers are doing well and had a very successful year! I also am in faith that you all had a fabulous Christmas, and in the event that I don't speak to you before then.. All the best in blessings for a prosperous new year!
Yvette1026

Yvette1026

4
SarahGirl's Blog
 

Here Goes Nothing!!

"Mom...You know how you always ask me to consider getting that Lap Band thing?" "Yeah.." "I'm interested in it!!" -- Okay so... Is it a little weird that I'm actually nervous, scared, and excited all at the same time to get this thing going? This week is gonna draaaggg on!! I meet up for like a consult...evaluation something or whatever next Monday. My mom has a lot of friends that have already had this so I'm gonna talk with them about what's gonna go down and what it entails. I'm ready for it but at the same time, I'm kinda nervous. I'm like hella afraid of needles and I'm really scared to find out if I could be close to becoming a diabetic. **Sigh**   It also seems even more weird that I have MTV's show True Life to thank for me making the move to decide on getting this!! I have like a million thoughts racing through my mind right now so I'm hoping I can get some sleep tonight!!   Until tomorrow!   BYEE!!
SarahGirl

SarahGirl

0
Lappin' it Up
 

'Twas the Night Before Lap Band...

Pretty much describes my state of mind right now...   I check in at the hospital at 7:30 in the morning. A mere 8 hours and 15 minutes from now... So much has been running through my head the last week. The closer surgery gets, the faster everything runs around in my head. I have lost sleep, I have snapped at my husband, yelled at my kids and mentally beat myself up for all of it because of being nervous. I am waaaaaay more nervous than I've let myself admit. I think it was a good thing I had Christmas as a diversion to give me something else to think about.   I hope the surgery goes well... I hope there are no complications... I hope the post-op pain isn't too bad... I hope I can handle all the eating changes... I hope I am successful... Ihope, I hope, I hope!!!   That's it...gonna head to bed.
mom24teens

mom24teens

0
LAB69's Blog
 

Consultation

My doctor is setting up a consultation. So this put me at the beginning. I heard a story today that this guy band broke. And he complainted about the changes was to fast. And he didn't get the support from his doctor after having the band for a while. He wouldn't not recommend this to anyone. I read alot in the last few days since I became a member on this site. And every story was very touching and they hit home time to time. I just wanted to know if anyone had this problem. And if you have any input on what will really need to know plus any input on the steps I will be taking? I will be doing this on my on without any encouragement or help. Any help is welcome!
LAB69

LAB69

4
subpoptart's Blog
 

Today Happy (Day 21 -11 pounds)

The Holidays are over and that's not why I'm happy. I'm happy because I had great times with my great families. I never felt deprived of anything during this food filled time of year. I was able to enjoy a sweet here and there and some savory delights along with my friends. My birthday came and went and again the food became the center of the celebration. What makes me so happy is that the scale only jumped a tad and for the first time in many years I know that I will be able to lose the pound that I gained and continue to lose in the coming year.
no one

no one

1
Diary of a Banded Chick
 

Band Mishap!

I had my first band mishap today!   All of my kids but one are gone for the holidays to be with their dad, the one that isn't out of state went over to a friends house to spend the night and my husband is deployed. So I'm feeling depressed and lonely, and don't feel like cooking, or doing anything else really. Because I'm feeling sorry for myself I bought fast food, a spicy chicken sandwich.   I came home crawled into my bed turned on the TV and ate that sandwich like I wasn't banded!   WOOOOOHoh BIG MISTAKE!   I felt it land in my pouch and IT HURT! So I took a drink of the other thing I am not supposed to have when banded: POP! It was an explosive mix...literally. Pre-band I was always able to make it to a container of some sort before throwing up the contents of my stomach. However this time no such luck. On sec I'm drinking a pop the next.....lets just say spicy on the way down nice spicy on the way UP Not so much!   Despite the cleanup, and the slight burning in my throat, I'm glad this happened. I lost 15 lbs pre-band to get the surgery, but I haven't lost any weight since being banded, I had lost some after the fill but gained it back when I figured out I could eat again. I am not getting the message. I needed a swift kick in the bum and I'll probably need more.   I think I'm going back to the protein shake diet. 4 shakes, protein bars, and one meal. I'll supplement with vitamins ect.   I'm not a huge fan of food. I don't eat because I really like food I eat because I'm either hungry or bored. I liked the shake diet. I felt full now I feel like I'm always hungry. I wonder why that is?   New Years Resolution: Protein Shake Diet! Does it still count as a New Years Resolution if I start today?
crystalmarble00

crystalmarble00

2
leader49's Blog
 

Question on too tight a band

I have had my band now for a little over a year. I have experienced my band tightening weeks after a fill. It tightens so badly that the pain is awful and I can't even get water down without it hurting...I then need to go in and get some removed. Twice I have gone to the ER due to the pain. Has this happened to anyone else????
leader49

leader49

1
chriper's Blog
 

Christmas Visit Home

OK all I had my annual Christmas visit home to Michigan. I don't know what I was expecting, but what I wasn't expecting was for no one to mention my weight loss! Maybe its becuase over the years I made such a fuss about someone always asking me about my weight that now they just don't approach the subject. My brother casually said I can tell you've lost a lot of weight but that's about it. My sister (always my champion) told me i was looking good, and my mother didn't say a word. But I gather she said a lot to my grandmother whose down in Memphis. When I talked to Granny she said oh I hear you're still coming down, your face is slimmer, etc, etc...Amazing they couldn't say it to me but they said it to her.   Anyhoo I did good on the food front. Even though I was looking forward to an authentic chilli dog I didn't have one. Nor did I go to greek town, or any other of good eating in Detroit. I guess knowing its always there helps me to overcome the "need" to have it. And with my grandma out of town I didn't have to worry about peach cobbler and sweet potatoe pies. How did you all do over the holiday?
chriper

chriper

4

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