VegasJen

I think this is kind of funny... I've had about four friends that know about my surgery offer to take me out for a "last meal!" They are all very supportive, but I think they think it will be fun to take me out for one last feast. I am actually feeling motivated to eat less - to practice restraint for when I have my band, so that's ironic.:thumbup: That German food sounds yummy!!! :tongue: Jen

My surgeon requires a consult with a nutritionist, which is actually a year-long contract with the nut! I can email him or call him with any questions during that time, which I am sure I will! He gave me the post-operative diet sheets and explained all the phases of the diet as well - I think he is going to be a great resource for me in the months ahead. (I love that everyone calls them "nut" lol)

Good Luck everyone! I can't wait to see your progress here on the boards! Keep us posted... Jen

Awesome!! Thank you for posting that - I needed to remind myself of many of those lately!

My Tricare aproval came in like 2 days - once they submitted (doc) Tricare was really fast. I got the claim sheet in the mail today and it said I had been approved for RNY/Bypass - not lapband! Has this mixup happened to anyone else? I have an appt with the surgeon tomorrow to sign consents/finalize surgery... but now I am nervous that they got approval for the wrong surgery?!?! I am also a little panicky that the statement says I am responsible for 50% of the cost of surgery?? Huh?? So now I am all worked up and scared that I have come this far and now it might not happen.... wish me luck tomorrow!!:biggrin:

Wow! When I posted on here last year I was going through a different Doc, but now I am seeing Dr Teng, and have surgery scheduled for April 10th! I am definitely keeping copies of all checks, all receipts, and am going to make sure that I get all financial specifics IN WRITING. I am sure I should just find another place to do this, but they take my insurance, I have already been approved, and I feel like this is the right time for me to do this. I will, however, be watching my wallet! I'm sorry that your lap band experience was jaded by this - that's pretty disappointing. Thanks for sharing your story!!! Jen

Hi Mary, I know you got my email but I thought I'd stick a reply here also. :-) I am having surgery next month with Dr Teng. I went through the process last year with Dr. Atkinson's office but backed out before surgery. I didn't like the way they made me feel like a "charity case" because I have Tricare. They were very up front about having no use for it... which really started to rub me the wrong way. I needed them to be supportive in every way, ya know? Anyway, Dr. Teng's office is very nice about Tricare, and actually has been very nice about everything. My biggest concern now is that, being a military spouse, I never live anywhere very long, and it seems like the surgeons nationwide are really bad about taking pre-banded patients. If this device is supposed to stay in patients long term, and we are supposed to be able to use this tool for years, then how can these Docs think that their patients will never move? Are they just in it to do the actual surgery? I have a really bad feeling about these surgeons all over the country jumping on the lap-band bandwagon (lol) but not being willing to take on any patients they didn't actually operate on. It's like they are unclear on the lap band concept or something. I hope that makes sense... it's my personal gripe about this whole process... they need to work this out, since there are thousands of us being banded every year!:confused2: Jen

I want to be healthy and energetic! I want to be a great Mom and set a good example for my daughters! I want to buy cheap clothes at Target and Old Navy! I want to like what I see in the mirror! I want to LIVE my life instead of putting everything off until I lose weight...

I too am getting really excited! I am SOOO ready for this! Good Luck everyone! - Jen April 1--Bunky1965, April 2--MissLady, Natasha April 3--GiGiRN, ebowling, alicia99, p3photogal April 4--magic 1127, ColoradoChick, cheercoach08 April 5--southerngirltx April 6-- April 7--davisd, Lizb88 April 8--Carol422, CinniMae08, carol4784, Cori in WA April 9--bft33, lizalee, moosey52 April 10-Turler, , cadencemarch, dreamsize8, Denise (from Canada), VegasJen April 11-Lynne (countingthedays), tatt2, LisaB411,Susan{livn4jesus} April 12- April 13- April 14-DaNieLLe (Dshea8285) April 15-Chilly April 16-nurse7263, Bea1128, Hunee B, yarddog, Andy (RedDirt) April 17-Johnst027 April 18-Astrid(scarlettbegonia), JennyLynn, April 19 April 20 April 21-Marisa (dancinglamb) April 22-Pat (Tricia1105), CTCUTIE, April 23 April 24-Savedbygrace,KatieBelle April 25-bling April 26 April 27 April 28-bigdaddy:thumbup: , ImWkgOnMe April 29 April 30

Hello all, My surgeon requires no pre-op diet at all, and I am a little concerned. Not that I want to do one, but should I? I have an appt. Tuesday with him to finalize surgery date and am planning to ask him then. I don't want to have a big, in the way liver! :-)

I was weighed in clothes but no shoes. My nurse did say, "Oh good, you aren't wearing jeans!" (For whatever that's worth...) I drank 32 oz of Fluid before my weigh in to be sure to have a BMI of 40, and it worked for me. :-) Good Luck!

My doc requires no pre-op diet either... I just have to drink the stuff that clears you out the night before surgery. I hope my liver isn't huge! LOL (OK not really laughing...)

Ha! I love how that doc said he wouldn't take patients that went to Las Vegas to save money! What about those of us that actually LIVE here? LOL I am having my surgery here (because I live here) but will be moving (military orders) this summer. I sure hope I don't have trouble finding fill docs, and now I am extra worried that having come from LAS VEGAS I'll be even more likely to be rejected. They really need to work this out, because if thousands of people are having this procedure every year, and they are supposed to last a lifetime - then it is obvious that people will be moving and changing docs!! Grrrrr..... Jen

Thank you Lisa! I think I misunderstood the surgeon. I am going in to the office today to start scheduling appts, and I'm sure It will all become clearer for me. :thumbup:

Hello all, I am Tricare Standard and was told by Tricare that I can Self-Refer direct to the surgeon (I am TriWEST). Tricare PRIME needs the referreal, but STANDARD patients can go directly to the surgeon, who proves medical necessity to Tricare for you. I would go ahead and attend a seminar and ask the office staff there what to do next. My surgeon's office staff is very helpful, and knows the ins and outs of getting Tricare approvals. Good Luck!:thumbup: