USMC Wife

I am TriCare Prime and had the procedure on January 27, 2011. Currently I am down 100lbs. TriCare is one of the EASIEST insurance carries out there to cover the surgery. As long as you meet their requirements they will approve you. There is no 6 or 3 month diet plan first. I had my consult on Dec. 23 and Surgery on Jan 27. That was the first date the Dr. had to do the surgery. I was able to get my phsych visit done, bloodwork, ultrasounds and x-rays all in time. Message me if you have any questions. Plus my doctor only does fills at the hospital under fluro and tricare has always approved those procedures within 2 days. Good luck on your journey!

I had surgery at 8:00 am and was in my living room chair by 1:30. Initially I was told I would stay overnight but the surgeon said no the day of surgery. I was fine. At first I wanted to be in the hospital overnight, but once I was able to go home, I was so excited. It was nice being able to see my kids, watch my own tv and have my husband get whatever I needed instead of an overworked nurse who had more "sick" patients to take care of.

My Nut told me to do this for stuck episodes. She said to buy the red cap as it has no MSG. It is brutal salty, but works. I keep a bottle in my purse and kitechen..just in case!

It was actually the hospital that charged so much. My doctor charged a very minimal fee. Unfortunatly it is pretty common for places to bill insurance compaines large amounts. Some pay more than others. Tricare just happens to be on the low end of the payment scale. A long as the bill is paid and nothing came out of my pocket I am happy!

I think its important to know the difference between what TriCare covers/needs and what your surgeon requires. I had the surgery on 1/27, live in the South region and did not have to prove anything regarding weight history, weight loss attempts or specific diets. My surgeon required me to call Tricare directly and find out exactly how and what they covered. Granted they already knew what was covered but they wanted to make sure I understood the process fully. Tricare was billed $47,000 for my surgery (of course they didn't pay that much) but covered every cent of the allowable amount. Good luck and keep pushing if you need this surgery and know you are willing to put the work. Keep looking until you find a surgeon who will do it.

I was banded on 1/27 and have lost a total of 36.6 lbs. About 10 of that was during the preop diet. I went to see my dr. an Nut yesterday and the best thing is 26lbs of that is pure fat since the day of surgery. I get my first fill on Monday and can't wait. I don't have restriction, but have been on a pretty restrictive 700 calorie diet. I now get to go to 848 calories for the next 2-4 months. I feel good and so glad I made this step. I have had a few emotional moments but thanks to my husband I have gotten through.

Sorry, I had Dr. Fernandez in Tampa. Good luck though and get ready for a whole new you!

Thank you! It did feel like a victory after I realized exactly what I did. Today is a new day and as far as the job...there will be another one for this pastry chef i'm sure!

Today my boss calls and informs me she won't be needing me the rest of the week. Things are slow and she will see me next week. Well I only work 3 days a week and today and tomorrow were days 2 & 3. I can see the writing on the wall and know my days are limited there. So while I drove around hoping to find a bakery/resturant/grocery that needed a baker or cake decorator all I could do was think about all the food out there to be eaten. Normally I would have stopped at the first food place and eaten anything that sounded good and still have felt bad. You know what though? I DIDN'T DO IT TODAY! Nope, I drank my Water, licked my wounds and made the right choice. Today I am 3 weeks post op and so proud that I was able to mentally not let food control me but I controlled the food. I wish it was for a different reasone but a NSV is one just the same! -28lbs and counting!

My doctor said once my incisions were healed and scabs were gone. I am thinking of soaking this weekend!

I was banded on January 27, 2011 and I am in need of a fellow bandster. I am doing fine, but so far all my "Friends" that I am turning to for advise are by-pass patients. While some of their information is helpful, some of it just doesn't relate. I'm 35, married with 2 children..

I had a pre-op diet that was full of regualar food. No liquid protein and no shakes. My NUT said that she would not deprive her patients of food prior to surgery. With that said right after I started my Liver Detoxification diet (pre-op) we had a planned Disney vacation for my childrens birthday and my anniversary. We went out to Outback Steak house and I ordered a full dinner. It was a decision I made in advance and knew what I was doing. 15 days later I had surgery and my liver was very small. So, did I cheat, I guess so, but it wasn't a sneaky I have to do this type of thing. It was a preplanned, I want to celebrate like we had planned for the past few months type of cheat. I have no regrets.

I had my post op last Friday and this is what my doctor told me about my first fill. I will see him again in 4 weeks. If I am losing weight and NOT fighting hunger then he will leave it alone. If I stop losing weight or if I can't control my hunger then I will get a fill. You have to be honest with your doctor. I am dealing with hunger, however I am still on Clear Liquids (first 2 weeks). My doctor told me once I can progress to solid food (week 5) then I will find it easier to feel full. Good luck and if you took the step to do this, then you owe it to yourself and your doctor to be honest about how you feel.

Mine skips mushies too.

Week 1 & 2 Clear liquids, which do include Protein shakes. Week 3 & 4 Everything from weeks 1 & 2 with the addition of creamed soups strained thinned with Water Week 4-6 while waiting for fill..700 calorie diet prescribed by nutritionist. Once first fill, liquids for 3 days then my NUT gives me a personalized food plan based only on things I like.

That's awesome! I am South Prime (Florida) as well and was approved quickly. Submitted on Friday, approved on Monday. I had my surgery on January 27 and looking forward to my new life

I agree that a lot has to do with insurance. I went to my seminar the end of November. My doctor was booked so I couldn't see him until Dec. 23. That day my surgery date of January 27 was set. I completed my pre-op blood work, chest x-ray, gall bladder ultrasound, physch evaluation, nutrition appt. and my medical clearence letter. On January 19 I saw my surgeon again for my pre-op appt. and as scheduled on January 27 I had my surgery. I am now 3 days out and ready for a complete recovery. FYI..I have Tricare Prime. My insurance was submitted on Friday afternoon and approved Monday afternoon.

I need to find a good blender that is small and is able to mix my Protein shakes. Any suggestions? What kind do you use? I have the regular size blender but don't want to have to take it apart everytime I use it. Thanks! Surgery in 4 days and a wake up.

I'm not sure yet, but I can say my pre-op is scheduled for Jan 19. that is when they submit to insurance. I am already scheduled for Jan 27. My surgeon works with Tricare all the time and said that was PLENTY of time for approval. 17 days and waiting in Tampa Bay!

I'm having my band on January 27 in Tampa, FL.!

I am in Riverview, the Tampa Bay area. I will get banded on January 27th! Good Luck!

Thank you for this information. I am being banded on Jan. 27 and take in all the information..good, bad and the ugly!

I am in Tampa, having my surgery in Brandon on Jan 27 by Dr. Fernandez. How about you?

I am being banded on Jan. 27. I can't wait to hear how it goes for everyone. I am super excited and can't wait to get this party started!!

I had my surgery consultation on Thursday Dec. 23. Everything went great and I am scheduled for surgery on January 27. I really want the band, however my surgeon also offered me gastric by-pass. I have over 100 lbs to lose and i'm only 35. His concerns are that with so much to lose and my age (possibility of needing to do a band replacement in the future) that the by-pass would be something to consider. My question is this, is it possible to work hard and lose 100lbs.? Sweets are not my vice, it's portion control and I have spent a long time getting myself ready for this. Did anyone else run into this type of hesitation? I just want to get going!