LB_Annie

Thanks guys! I am really happy with my progress so far This surgery was definitely the right choice for me!

I thought I'd post my before and after pictures at one month post-surgery. I'm down 24 lbs thanks to diet and walking 4-6 miles 6 days a week. I feel SO much healthier and happier than I did a month ago when I had surgery. I was so tired of struggling up stairs and feeling uncomfortable in movie theater seats. I am starting to feel good in my own skin now. I still have 98 lbs to go to reach my goal, but I know that I will get there

Me too, Michelle I can't wait. I have been doing the liquid diet since April 25th. I'm ready to be banded

I am actually getting my band on May 10th

I'm just about to finish day 7 of my two week pre-op diet and I haven't cheated yet. My doctor doesn't allow anything but liquids, so I've been sticking to three Muscle Milk shakes a day and Water. I can also have sugar free Jello, but that's it. I went out and got some sugar free gum to chew on when I really miss chewing. It's been very hard because I stay home with my kids (2 and 5) and I have to cook for them and make sure they're eating. Today my husband brought home Burger King for him and pizza for the kids. It can be really hard to watch them eat, but I'm pushing through. I've lost 9 lbs so far, but I have been working out really hard, too. I went to the gym 5 days out of the 7 I've been on the diet. I just hope I can keep it all up for week 2

Is anyone else having all of their pre-op testing done the day before their surgery? My doctor makes you check into the hospital the day before placing the lap-band so you can have all of the pre-op tests done then. It's kind of nice to have it all done at once, but I hate being in the hospital. My doctor will also make me stay in the hospital for at least a day after the surgery to place the lap-band. He said he'd like me to stay five days after, but it's my choice. I guess they do it a little differently in Germany

Congrats! I am having my surgery May 10th Time has been flying by!

I'm not post-surgery yet, but I am anxious to know how long after your surgery your surgeons wanted you to wait before working out. I am a little less than three weeks from surgery and I've got a really great work-out routine going right now. I'm just wondering how long it will take me to be back to normal as far as exercising goes.

Thanks for your input

Have you talked to your surgeon about that concern? I wonder if they would have some idea for you. I hope that your surgery goes well!

Wow my surgery date is the same as yours. Really scared of failing as I am a vegetarian and have limited food options once my surgery is done.

I live in Wiesbaden, so I'm not too far from Kaiserslautern. I'm going to be banded on May 10th. Prof Weiner is doing my surgery. I've only met him once, but I got very little information from him. All I know is that I'm supposed to do a liquid diet for the week leading up to my surgery and I go to the hospital the day before surgery to have all of my tests run. He seemed very nice, but he was a little disappointed that I chose lap band. He said that he prefers patients go with gastric bypass. I just wish he had given me more information about the way he does things.

I'm glad that there's a lap band group on here in Germany

Annie

I'm glad that I have a surgery day friend We also have about the same amount of weight to lose. I hope this next month flies by. Do you have to do a liquid diet? How long? My doctor only requires a one week. I am thinking about trying to do two, but I don't know.

I am also on the 10th!! Just found out yesterday! GOOD LUCK TO US!

It looks like patience paid off My surgery is set for May 10th! I won't be an April bandster, but I'm SO happy to have a surgery date. I am definitely starting to get nervous, but I think this is the best option for me

I just got my surgery date today I'll be having my procedure done on May 10th! I can't wait. I only have to do a one week liquid diet before surgery.

I got approved to meet with the surgeon, but I guess I have to get re-approved for the surgery itself after I see the surgeon. My appointment is April 11th. I wish it was sooner, but I will keep trying to be patient

I'll let you guys know what happens after I see the surgeon. I'm still crossing my fingers and hoping that I'll be an April bandster!

Annie did you get approved?

I hope so! I'm shooting for early April!

Yay us!!! Maybe we will be bandsters together!

Congrats!! That's so great! I got a call that they are approving me, but I won't get the official word until Thursday or Friday! How exciting!

Hello there! I got approved yesterday!!!! I am, of course, waiting for the doc's office to receive the letter from TriCare but its only a matter of time now before I get my surgery date!! YAY!

I hope you get your answer soon!

I didn't have to do the six month diet. They wanted to know what methods I've used in the past to lose weight. I basically just had to talk through my weight throughout the last 5-10 years with the doctor. She didn't have all of my records.

Did you have to do the 6mos diet and 5 year history? Hope you hear from them soon.

We go on base to see our doctors. I'm getting a referral to a non-Tricare doc. Still waiting on that phone call I hope that your approval isn't too difficult!

We are stationed in the UK. Did you go through a military dr. for the referral or do you see a off base provider? Did you have to have 6mos supervised diet and 5 year history? We are at a remote location without a US military facility. This had made things more difficult. Thanks for any info you have. I hope you get your call today. Wishing you tons of luck.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of the input. I'm hoping that today is the day I get a call from Tricare

We have Tricare Prime, so I'm hoping that they cover everything. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out!

We got here at the beginning of December. We love Germany! My husband and I both interned in different parts of Germany in college. We've been hoping to make it back to Europe for years! I hope your friend likes it, too! It takes a bit of time to get used to, but it's an amazing country!

I call my Tricare lady quite a bit too! I called them twice in a row before they called me back and the nice woman gave me her direct line. I'm sure if I don't get an answer soon she will regret it, lol. She was very nice and apologetic and reassuring though. NOW I'm hoping they cover as much as they have for other people! There was a gentleman in a support group meeting I went to and he said he only had to pay $50 and that was because he had to stay an extra day in the hospital!

That would be AMAZING for me, lol. (Although, I am SO not that lucky...ever)

My friend literally just got to Germany last week.She said they got a place already but their stuff hasn't arrived yet! How long have you been over there? Do you like it?

I'm with you Erin, the sooner I can get banded the better! If they can offer me a surgery in March I'd gladly take it

We're in the Wiesbaden area. I think we're a couple of hours away from Stuttgart.

Originally they told me that it should only take a few days to get approved since I meet the requirements. I guess Tricare has been taking longer lately to approve things. Like I said, I'm just trying to be patient I can't help but call the Tricare lady every once in a while to check on the status though.

Good luck to you, too! I hope you get your approval soon!

I'm waiting patiently to hear from Tricare too! I only have Tricare RS in the North region and they are not as fast as some others with Tricare have seemed to have had. They also said my file was misfiled somewhere else and that's why it took so long! I've already waited 2.5 weeks and HOPE to get an answer by the beginning of the work week! I'm hoping to get banded BEFORE April or a the very beginning. I was wanted to get banded before my bday, which is April 8.

I also have a friend who just moved over to Germany with the Army! She is in Stuttgart...where are you located?

Good luck on your journey!

Thanks! I am so anxious to get my surgery date! I really hope that I will get to join the April group I'll have to see if they carry the EAS at our commissary!

I tried a couple of Nectars...can't remember what flavors, but I was not a fan of them. As far as ready-made, I liked the EAS vanilla and banana. But what I really like is a sf carnation instant breakfast with plain greek yogurt and/or fruit. Brings your Protein to about 19 or 20grams. That's pretty good for one sitting. Good luck and hope you make it to the April Bandsters with me! (4/21)

Thank you! Do you prefer those in powder form or the pre-made kind? You're doing SO well! I can't wait to get to "Onederland!" Congratulations on all of your success with the band

I've heard mixed reviews on nectar but I've never tried it myself. I like Muscle Milk Light, Labrada, Syntha 6, BSN Lean Dessert, and Xtreme Formulations.

Good luck and hope you're banded soon!

Congratulations! That's amazing What a great way to start off your banded life!

I'm currently playing the waiting game. Any day now I should get an approval from Tricare and a surgery date. We're stationed in Germany right now and the Tricare lady said that I should be getting the surgery in April. I can't wait to join the April Bandsters!

I've been trying out different Protein Shakes in an attempt to get ready. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good Protein powder or ready-made drink? I've done a lot of research and I was looking into the nectar brand. Has anyone tried the strawberry Mousse or vanilla bean flavor?

Thanks for all of your input/advice

Hi Tamara!

I have just finished all of the pre-req things to be approved for lap-band. I should have an appointment with Dr. Weiner scheduled by the end of the week. They're guessing that I'll have surgery at the end of March or beginning on April. I'll update you once I've met him

Hi Annie!

I was wondering if you got banded there and how things went?My husband is stationed in Germany but i came back to the states for the surgery (i get banded on wednesday!) and im looking into that doctor for fills when i return. Tricare covered everything for me so far but ive heard by the end of surgery ill have to pay about $400.