Navywif99

Keep the FAITH your persistence will pay off.

Not sure if this is normal. Had surgery on the 4th an today took a nice warm shower an a little bit of "gunk" ( for lack of a better term) came out of the main incision. Is it normal to have a tiny bit did anyone use neosporin? Any thoughts???

LOL me too they told me I had 30 seconds next thing I knew I was in recovery. I don't remember closing my eyes or feeling drowsy in any way. So weird. The anestisiologist came in an asked me if I remembered anything an I kindly replied nope an he smiled an good thats the way we like it. Good luck with your recovery!

I have all the initial banding stuff behind me now an feel pretty good. I was banded yesterday at about 1 an was done by 2:30. Dr. Fearing an the staff at New Hope were amazing. They are just an unbelivable group of kind an considerate people with a shout out to nurse Cheryl you rock! Im able to get around pretty well an Im not in too much pain. I suppose after having 2 c-sections this seems like a breeze. Every once in awhile i get a slight gas pain n my belly but nothin in my shoulder yet. No nausea or vomiting Im already drinking protein shakes again an having popsicles without any issues. Hope everyone is recovering nicely from their surgeries this week. It is such a relief its over with an im sure lots of you ladies an gents feel the same way. Luck to anyone that is doing it today youll do great. Heather

Getting nervous surgery tomarrow. Need to be there by 10 for a 1:30 surgery time. Getting nervous.

Day 6 of my pre op diet an down 6lbs. Looking forward to Thursday my surgery day. I try not to think about it too much...helps me worry less. Good luck to the first official AugustBandsters you guys will do great. Looking forward to hearing all your stories.

Good luck tomarrow you are one of the first for August. I have mine on Thursday. Let us know how it goes.

Cool we are at the same office. I have surgery on the 4th with Ferring instead of Malley. Good Luck

Im Aug 4th too...Im super excited. Ive only been on my pre-op diet for 2 days and so far its not to bad. The protein shakes really help but that inate feeling to physically eat is still their. Have my pre op tests tomarrow am then I will be good to go. So exciting.......

Have surgery date of Aug 4th woot woot. Im so excited everything is moving so quickly now. Started my pre-op diet today. Made it through day one without to much hunger pangs. Can't imagine doing this for another week...but I will. The diet consists of: 4 Protein shakes mixed with milk or Water 2 fruit servings either mixed into shake or consumed seperately unlimited SF popsiscles, Jello, sherbert and broth,water,crystal light limited to 2 cups of either gatorade, diet coke, juice Looking forward to change.

UPDATE....Im APPROVED as of this morning. WOOT WOOT After I was denied the reason was cause I didn't meet criteria for the approval but I clearly did. So we resubmitted and the insurance lady (Lisa) wrote them a letter stating that I do meet the requirments and to see attached paperwork from my pcm and the surgeon. In less than 24 hrs I was approved how amazing is that!! Clearly the right person got a hold of it this time and saw the mistake. I cried I was so excited. Don't have a surgery date yet but Im looking forward to getting that in the next few days. For those who are still appealing your denials have faith and NEVER give up...you are worth it!!

So Im still waiting to find out what the deal is with Tricare. Called the surgeon havn't heard back and I called Triwest and they couldn't give me any further details as to why I was denied. Havn't received my denial letter yet but I know its coming so I need to get busy on my appeal letter. Im trying to gather all my medical records into one file. I didn't realize that they "retired" your medical records if you don't see anyone on base for 3 years. Now I have to get those files from St. Louis and was told it would take anywhere from 4-52 weeks to get them. We will be leaving here in December I hope its sooner than later.

Im so disappointed I found out I was denied by Triwest for the band they called it a "factual denial" then they were telling me who qualifies. They said I didn't meet the qualifications but I clearly do I can't understand why I wasn't approved it just doesn't make sense. I will appeal and see what happens I guess.

I have Triwest and my info was just submitted to Tricare for approval and they are asking for more information. Based on the original information I am more than 100lbs over weight with diabetes which I take meds for and they still want more information. My BMI is like 41. Somewhere along the line it was mentioned that I have knee pain now they want information from my pcm or orthopedic surgeon about my arthritic knees. They are also saying there isn't enough info in my file at Tricare but that is because the past 8yrs I have had a civilian pcm but I didnt think that would be an issue. Because Tricare doesn't keep their info updated they are also saying that New Hope where the surgery will be done isnt covered but as of June it is. How do they not know that and why do I have to prove to them that New Hope is a covered shouldn't they know that. So much for smooth sailing... I thought since I met their requirments I would be instantly approved. Ive called Tricare but havn't spoken to anyone who can help me they just tell me to do what I need to do basically but to hurry up cause in 2 days it will be kicked back and I will have to start over. Awesome!

Congrats on going to the seminar. Sometimes thats the hardest part is just going into the seminar. Good Luck on your Journey you will do great.

Soooo I did everything Tricare requires I meet their requirements I did the psych eval and even had a letter from my pcm stating how I would benefit from the band and restating how I meet the requirments but that wasn't good enough. Now they want some info on the pain in my knees some how they have twisted that small bit of info into arthritic knees and I need to provide them with xrays and additional information from my orthopedic surgeon. I don't have arthritic knees Tricare they hurt cause Im fat!!! Then they don't have enough info on me in the Tricare system cause I have had a civilian pcm for the past 8 years until recently so they dont have any history on me. Now I need another letter form my pcm stating that my knees are just sore not arthritic and explaining why I dont have info in the system. Sounds easy enough butttt my pcm is on vacation for 3 weeks. His nurse is trying to see if she can do the letter for me but I doubt that will fly. Also they are saying that New Hope isnt a covered facility but it is an has been since June. How do they not know that...seriously. Too top it all off if I dont get the info to them within a few days I will have to start over and resubmit everything again....sighhhh Sorry everyone needed to vent. I just assumed that if I met their requirments there would not be any issues with getting it approved guess not. I knew this process was going to smoothly...

I am using Dr. Ferring as well and I was wondering how things went for you..Your experiences in general before and after surgery. I live in Lansing currently so Im close to KC. You can send me a personal message if you would like. Thanks so much in advance.

Im in the Triwest region as well. I have to see my pcm tomarrow for the nutrionist referreral and letter of necessity then it will be submitted. The surgeon says it usually takes up to 6 days for approval an i meet their requirements so Im hoping for a quick turn around with a mid June surgery date. Good luck with the surgery.

Im so frustrated I know I over eat much of the time but I get so frustrated when I eat and eat and can't stop myself and then when Im done its like I snap back to reality and realize what I have done and I hate myself for eating so much. It feels like an out of body experience Im just not mentally present while I am doing the eating. I am really hoping the band will help with the over eating.

Voted Good Luck

Good Luck today Thee-O you'll do great

I need to get a letter of necessity from my Dr. Can I write it and have him sign it or does he have to do it? I have Tricare Prime and i just wondered if it would be easier if I wrote it and he approved it.. Suggestions or thoughts????

Im sorry to hear that I know your disappointed. If it means anything I go to Malley and I love them they are so easy to work with and are very easy to talk with if you still decide to go through with it you will like them a lot Im sure of it. Good Luck!

My thought on the sleeve was that it would simplify things meaning with all the moving I wouldn't have to find fill Dr's all over the country or world but that is ok I will do what I have to do as all military spouses do on a regular basis. We were in Jacksonville for awhile and I refused to go to the hospital there. It was just one bad experience after another plus all the press didn't help so I pretty much swore off military hospitals. I found out today Tricare wants a psych eval and they said to get a letter of necessity from my pcp however I have to think the letter might be a requirement from surgery clinic to have as part of my submission packet to Tricare when they try to get approval. That was it I was very surprised how simple this process has been. Calling to get appointment for the refferal an letter tomarrow. Hope your psych eval went well.