MsGal

I've been on the phone all day trying to figure out the actual requirements set by triwest... According to my surgeons office tricare requires a 6 month diet plan that is supervised by your pcm, but then when i called the triwest hotline they say that there is no time limit set forth.. I really feel like all the customer service people aren't educated at all on any of the insurance coverage, because all they are reading to me over the phone is what I can access on the tricare webpage under coverages. I'm just getting super frustrated!

I did not have the 6 month diet. Perhaps you can tell your PCM that the requirements have changed and that you contacted Tricare directly. Maybe he/she will go ahead and refer you! Best of luck...Lisa

GOOD NEWS! Tricare approved my surgery.....on my pre-op diet.....surgery is a go for 8 July! Hope my experience is as easy as RoyalRags....! Lisa

YAY.......it is reassuring to hear such a positive result. So excited for you!!!

Good luck to all of you! I'll be thinking about you! Lisa

Whoop whoop! Awesome......Congrats! Lisa

I am so excited, had 2nd fill yesterday (now @ 5cc in 10cc band). Breakfast threw half my porridge away, got to work three and a half hours ago and still not hungry. This is a fantastic feeling, if this is green zone I LOVE IT.

So excited for you! Can't wait to feel that way too! Keep up the good work! Lisa

Good luck...all will go well! Lisa

Cherie I'm just checking on you hope all is well!!! I go in to have mine done in the morning and I may be out of commission for a day or two but know I'm rooting for you!!!

Excited for you....good luck tomorrow...and keep us posted when you can! Lisa

Awesome......congrats! Best of luck! Lisa

I haven't been banded yet....two more weeks! I do know that you came to the right place!!! I hope your "cheating" isn't often. I am going into this with the thought that if I'm going to go through all of this....I don't want to cheat. I understand that there are ways around the band....but I don't want to know! I wish you all the luck.....and I'd be happy to be a buddy......Lisa

Thanks for sharing you inspirational story. I tip my hat to you.....a stong woman! I pray you have smooth sailing from now on!

YEP....we TOO can do it!

Lisa

• One great point that my surgeon pointed out.....a lot of people regain the weight years after by stretching out the stomachs (sleeve and bypass) BUT the sleeve has a high rate of people keeping the weight off and can still make restrictions.
  

Boston area....but originally from Biloxi, MS

Thanks very much everyone for the informative responses. It's so great to see so much evidence of success in this forum ..

By chance are you going through Lahey? My Dr. said the same thing. Made me question my choice. I am in Billerica....I would love to have a local partner to go through this with. My surgery date is 8 July. Lisa

I got approval! My surgery is a go! Thursday June 20, 2013!

AWESOME......so exciting! That's tomorrow! PLEASE keep us posted!

Lisa

^{Just for additional info....}

^{Unjury shakes average 21 grams protein}

^{New Direction averages 26-27 grams protein....they also have MANY different flavors and puddings (like lemon)...I am ordering a bunch of the products for after surgery as well. Flavored waters, capucinos.... all high in Protein}

^{Thought this might help!}

Today marks 1 month post op!!

I feel like its been a year since my surgery but its only been 4 weeks and its went by soooooooo fast lol. I can sit here and say this is by far the best decision that I have ever made and I'm following my doctors guidelines to a T and I'm feeling back to normal now and getting out ever other day and exercising. I have been eating soft foods for the past few weeks and today I can start solid foods! I'm going to wait another week before I start solids again since I have stocked up on a lot of foods!

Since about 2-3 weeks post op I have been gradually working my excersise and I'm currently training for a 5k run in September. It feels so good that I am back walking/jogging again knowing about 3 months ago I would be able to walk but not for long.... I have been portion sizing my meals like its no ones business and sticking to even though I could eat a little more but keeping myself at bay and knowing in the future I would be eating portion sizes 1-2 cups of food and I know doing this would get me prepared

Well since being 4 weeks post op, I have lost 48pounds to date since March 7th 2013 (344 was my highest weight recorded at my consultation weight). Its feels so good to know in 4 months I have lost all that extra weight I had been carrying around for awhile. I have been very motivated since the start of my journey when I started my Pre-Op diet and I'm full of confidence.

I have met a lot of awesome people on this website and I'm very grateful to have everyones support along the way of my journey. I started a video log on Youtube and I have met a lot of good people on there too. It keeps tabs on myself and knowing that I'm documenting my journey will only help me motivate myself even more in the future!

Thanks for all the support everyone

-Amine

You are inspirational Amine......I am 2 weeks away from banding....hope my story is just as positive as yours!

Lisa

I did the body by vi shakes last summer but didn't set well for me. I am now using powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury (order on line)...amazingly good! I have a few band friends that use Unjury...all successful and happy with the product. It IS designed for weight loss/bariatric surgery patients.

My Dr uses the New Direction shakes for Pre-Op.....tried one....pretty good!

Good luck... Lisa

My band date is 8 July......what's yours?

July is coming quick! How is your pre-op diet going? Nerves...? Let's stay connected! Lisa

^{You look amazing....so inspired! Lisa}

Billerica! You?

So excited for you. Take care and update soon!

The upper right of this page.....click on your user name....then click on My Patient Profile

Go strait to My Patient Profile.....change it there and it automatically updates your tickers too!