melzie_99

I think you might need to call the doc and see what they say; they may need to delay surgery. If they do a CBC on you and see your white blood cells are elevated from being sick, they'd probably delay anyway. Good luck either way, and I hope you feel better.

Unless they've changed their protocol in the last few years, unfortunately she's right. I got this off of Tricare's website...they can actually discharge you for it if you're already active duty or bar you from joining if you have it prior to service: http://www.health.mil/Content/docs/pdfs/policies/2007/07-006.pdf Really sorry, Kaitlyn; however, you may be able to find a civilian job and still work for the military. Either way, disneymom1978 is right; congrats on your weight loss, you are still young and there are DEFINATELY lots of opportunities out there!

Thanks for the info; I've actually been a bit concerned about this. I also have a lactose (or maybe dairy, IDK) sensitivity/intolerance. I've tried a few of the sample of whey protein powders I received from my nutritionist and seemed to have a similar, though less severe, "response" like I do with milk products. The thought of too much soy makes me nervous as well...what to do? I start my pre surgery diet on Sunday so I'll see how sensitive I really am to all this stuff; let me know what works for you!

I'm so ready for this to get started; I'm beginning to get a bit edgy. My husband, who has said little to nothing about this whole process, asked me if I was having lapband or gastric bypass. I was a little surprised since all this time I've been talking about lap band; I've NEVER expressed an interest in the bypass. He then wanted me to know that he "knows someone who had the surgery" and that I needed to know that I won't be able to eat the same way I do now. I got aggrevated with him because it made me feel like he thought I was an idiot; of COURSE I know that! What does he think I've been doing all this time; just decided one day surgery was a magic cure all and I could just sit back and let it all happen? He then got upset because he said I never want to listen but I told him he was making me feel like an idiot and that he it made it seem like he was expecting me to fail before I even get started because this "friend" told him the process isn't easy. I know I'm probably being overly sensitive, but I hate feeling like people think this is just another fly-by-night thing I'm trying that I'm going to fail. This is part of the reason why I didn't even want to talk to anyone about it, but I hate keeping secrets from my family...

Getting more and more anxious to get started...my pre op diet starts in 6 days which means surgery is less than 3 weeks away!!! I can't wait to start my new life; very happy I finally put my foot down and decided to follow through with doing something good for myself. Even more happy to report I just found out my surgeon's office is a Center of Excellence; I kept hearing about it and finally looked into it and there he was! Makes me feel even more confident than before. I hope this enthusiasm stays with me; I'm sure the next month or two is going to be rather interesting (lol). Good luck to everyone!

Rachel, you sound just like me! I've been stressing the whole grocery shopping/cooking thing; food smells so good! But I know I won't be able to eat like I used to yet my husband needs to GAIN weight so I don't want to skimp out on him either...*sigh* I've noticed this past week I've been on somewhat of a feeding frenzy; haven't gained any weight (thank God) but I just can't seem to stop eating. Maybe subconsciously I'm preparing for starting my diet on the 27th...I don't know. I haven't had the wave of emotion hit me yet; it all still feels very surreal to me. I hope it doesn't all hit me the day of surgery; that would be bad...

My nutritionist kind of scared me on the whole alcohol thing; she pretty much told us expect it hit you harder faster and because I have such a low tolerance already that would be a REALLY bad thing for me. That being said, I know I won't give it up forever but I will definately make sure to have only 1 glass at a time (if even that)... But to answer your question, yeah, I think I'd probably wait a few months just to make sure everything's had a chance to heal.

I have yet to hear anything good about them; in fact, here's a link to an article posted yesterday by the site creator about one of the 'providers'.... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/121264-michael-hiltzik-a-death-and-1-800-get-thin-los-angeles-times-blog/page__p__1547921#entry1547921

I have Tricare Prime and my whole process from getting my referral to approval for surgery only took 8 days. If you qualify, they're quick to get back to you. They even called me to let me know before it was updated on the website! As far as test are concerned, Tricare doesn't require any but your individual surgeon will; what they are will vary. My doctor had me go to a 3-4 hour nutrition class and have a 5 min. psych eval. Since I have already been diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea and had a few EKG's done within the last 6 months, it cut out a lot of tests. I still will, however, within a wekk before surgery have to have full bloodwork done. I also have to do a 2 week liquid/soft/low fat-high Protein diet before the surgery. What form of Tricare you have will vary what you need to do slightly, but from what I've read on here they're one of the easiest insurance companies to work with. I wish you good luck!

Tricare doesn't require a psych eval or a supervised diet (at least not Prime), but your individual surgeon might. I had a roughly 5 minute psych eval with a LAC and the only diet I have to do is the 2 week one presurgery. Thanks for your well wishes; I'm looking forward to taking a step in the right direction FINALLY.

Not to be nosy, but is there any particular reason why your doctors felt you needed these shots on top of what they give you before surgery (and why do you have to do it yourselves)? I have a horrible fear of needles and pray to god I would never have to do anything like that; part of the reason why I want to lose weight is fear of getting diabetes and needing insulin shots...

Don't know about Tricare Prime as a secondary insurance; they are my primary. I think you should have better results with them; if you have a BMI of 45 then I have to assume you're probably at least 100 lbs overweight which IS one of their requirements...I had a response back from them in less than 48 hours. Plus, if approved, they'll cover you 100% for Prime! Good luck, and let us know what happens!

Have told my whole immediate family now and have received nothing but support; my mom even said HER doctor mentioned it to her and she might consider it if I do well! Feeling a bit sheepish about wanting to keep it a secret from the fam; SO glad to have it off my chest!

I feel like I've been worried for nothing; I told my dad today and another one of my sisters yesterday and the worst reaction I've got is "do your research; I know some people that had it and..." blah blah blah you know the rest. Now I just need to see what my mom thinks. I guess sometimes FEAR is actually our worst critic...

Here's a link to the Tricare page concerning bariatric surgery: http://www.tricare.m...=Gastric+Bypass

I also have Tricare Prime; unfortunately, I think your BMI needs to be at least 35, even with the co-morbidities, or you have to be at least 100 pounds overweight without any. However, it can't hurt to try; they should give you a pretty quick response.

My experience was almost identical to bwhitty. They hook you up to a bunch of electrodes (stuck some on my scalp as well; glue was a bit of a pain to wash out). It's a bit difficult getting to sleep in the beginning being hooked up to so many things and knowing someone is watching on camera in another room, but they did everything they could to make me as comfortable as possible. Mine was also a split study which is convenient; no one wants to come back a second night. I had enough apneas in about a 2 hour period they woke me up and stuck me on a CPAP (still use one). I won't lie; it's all a bit awkward but there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. One of the easiest tests, actually; all you have to do is relax and sleep.

I totally hear you; my process went super fast as well. I saw my PCM 12/2, had my surgical consult, nutrition class and psych eval on 12/8, and was approved by insurance by 12/10! The surgeon's office wanted to schedule me for surgery for 12/23, meaning I would've had to start my presurgery diet on the 9th! I freaked a little and got it pushed back to 1/10. I think there's something slightly daunting about knowing it's FINALLY going to happen, you know? Excited but scared at the same time. Just know we're all going through this together and this is a GREAT place to find so much info as well as support from others. Welcome!

I've been thinking a LOT about my "last meal" (lol); as my pre-surgery diet inches nearer and nearer everything seems to taste so much better! I went to the macaroni Grill the other night and had a WONDERFUL meal; I'm thinking I'd like to repeat the before beginning the diet. I have to start the 27, and a few people sent me food for Christmas so this should be interesting. I have been making a conscious effort to try to eat slower and drink more. I even tried one of the unjury samples I received from the nutrition; not too bad but I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune after a few days lol. I keep telling myself I'll cross that bridge when I get to it!

Just got a call from my doctor's office today; they WILL be keeping me overnight. Works out better for everyone. Won't have to worry about anyone being up on me night #1 (hubby OR dogs)...lol.

I apologize; just saw you said you DON'T need to fast; ignore my last comment.

Sounds like a fasting blood sugar test for diabetes: they test your blood sugar on a empty stomach (fasting blood sugar) and then give a drink that taste like flat orange soda to see if you blood sugar levels spike. I think you have to wait 30-45 minutes after the drink before they test your blood again. Try to go as early in the day as you can; I did it last year and didn't get tested until after 3pm. I was so dehydrated and hungry it took 4 people to find a vein and I almost passed out in the meantime.

My husband's military so I have Tricare; from what I've read if you meet their requirements they're very quick to approve. I have been very fortunate this time around as I have had difficulty with them in the past. My doctor's office didn't require as much as yours seems to; don't know if that's good or bad. Either way, hope everything works smoothly for you and I wish you well on your journey!