michellepom

So, I guess I had my first PB yesterday, but it really scared me... i couldn't breath for about 15-20 seconds until I finally threw up. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this?? I couldn't talk or breathe, it was very scarry!! I ate brocolli which my nurse told me to stay clear of, but I've never had any problems with anything else, so I tried it like a dummy... it was cooked well, but after that I will never do it again!! IS this a normal PB experience, or did I just have bad luck and choked on my PB??

So... I got my referral, then my approval and then a surgery date. I was going to be the first tricare lapband patient at the hospital.

I went for my pre-op today and a bomb was dropped on me. Apparently the hospital checked with tricare and found out how little they would pay and have decided not to take my insurance. Both the hospital and the doctor accept Tricare... but have decided not to take it for the lapband.

I feel a bit betrayed, by the hospital... but I do understand since apparently Tricare would only pay about $850 over the cost of the lapband. But, I wish they would have figured this out a few months ago before they led me along.

So, I am now shopping for a new surgeon. My surgery was scheduled for June 9... I will be lucky to get in to see a new surgeon by that date.

Does anyone who have Tricare have a copy of their explanation of benefits of what was actually paid for the surgery?

Your doctor sucks... where are you located. I'm in Michigan and have had mine done through tricare... the trick is to find someone who is familiar with tricare already (a surgeon who had done gastric with them probably has idea of how cheap they are). They did not send me anything with how much they paid, I only get bills if something was filled out wrong (happens quite often). You might be able to talk to a case manager to find out the amount. Did you have a rep contact you... when you are scheduled for surgery they are supposed to assign you a person to take care of you through tricare, they may be able to help you. You may want to check out surgeons on lapband.com in your area... that's how I found my doc.

Hey there,

Don't feel down... the doctor told me that everyone cheats once in awhile, we can't be perfect. He said you will probably feel sick and then you will not want to cheat again. I'm fighting the hunger pains now too... it's hard, but we will do it. My nurse told me it's a learning process, sometimes it takes even a few fills until we are adjusted the right way and don't feel hungry all of the time. She said we can gain weight when we are waiting for our first fill, but to always think that you can make the band slip if we don't watch it. I try to focuss on that when I want to eat.

Take care, don't give up!!

HEY, CAN I PLEASE GET ADDED TO THE JAN LIST!! MINE WAS THE 29th... Thanks, Michelle in Michigan

Hey all,

I was banded on the 29th... I'm doing pretty good today (day 4). I'm pretty sore (feels like I got punched in the gut a few times) and I'm sleepy, but I'm sure that's to be expected. They made me walk in the hospital everyhour the last day I was there and then yesterday I went to the grocery store and picked up some meds and stuff. I think I over did it a bit, but I'm a little looser today. I can now lay down without the couch cushions underneath, but I still have a lot of pillows. I am trying to get my liquids in... my dietician said to push it, so I'm trying, but still working on getting up to full amount. I talk a nap everytime I take my pain meds, it makes me sleepy. I don't really have a lot of gas pains, but I think it's all of the walking. I sleep upstairs and I think that helps. Good luck to everyone coming up.

Take care, Michelle in Michigan

Hey there,

I was just banded on the 29th. My doctor told me I can dilute applejuice and white grape juice, I haven't gone number 2 yet, but I don't have any pain. I took a couch cushion and some pillows to sleep on at night. That has helped some. I am a side sleeper, but so far, I'm too sore to do it. But the hospital beds keep you sleeping in a sitting up position, which is really comfortable after surgery. Good luck!!

I put the 28th on my last post, but my surgery is actually the 29th, can someone add me, cuz I'm techno challenged.

Thanks, Michelle in Michigan

My surgery is scheduled for the 28th... I'm soooo nervous, but prepared and excited.

Good Luck to everyone!!

Michelle in Michigan

Start weight

241

current weight

232.5

goal

150

but I'll be happy at 175:rolleyes2:

Hey there again,

I wanted to tell you that when I visited my PCM, I had already researched a surgeon and told my PCM who I wanted to be referred to and why. If you show them you are serious and informed they are more opt to listen. My PCM even told me she was impressed by my research.

Michelle

Don't be afraid to swith PCM's if they don't help you. Some doctors are nice about it, others are a pain. My first doctor told me some horror stories to try to make me change my mind about lapband. So, I changed doctors and had no problem after that. Don't be afraid to tell them what you want, it's not their body, it's yours.

Good Luck!! Michelle

I was approved this month by Tricare. I did not do a weight loss program. The only thing they had me do (besides the regular psych eval and what my surgeon's office had me do) was an upper GI.

For my comorbid I had joint pain and my liver enzymes were off. I was approved right away.

BUT BE AWARE, MOST OF THE REPS AT TRICARE DO NOT KNOW YET THAT THIS IS A COVERED PROCEDURE. Everytime I call I get transfered about 4 times before I finally get a hold of someone who knows what they are talking about over there. I still haven't gotten good answers about how to do my follow up fills. I'm sure they will fix the glitches, but they need some serious education over there at Tricare North.

Michelle

I was approved by Tricare. I'm in the north region. I think I was actually the first one approved. My nurse found out they were going to start approving them on Jan 1st, and mine was approved on the 2nd of Jan. My surgery is for next Tuesday. I don't have anything wrong with me except knee, shoulder and back pains. My weight was 241 and I was 5.2... I'm not sure what the requirements are because everytime I call them they tell me they are not approving them yet. It's better to have your nurse call and talk to their nurses, (we are not allowed to talk to the people who actually approve the surgery)I get nowhere when I call with questions. It's such a new procedure for them they don't have it on their website yet. I did talk to my case manager, who could tell me the surgery was approved, otherwise I have had issues speaking with anyone else. My best advise would be to ask your nurse to call and ask them what the specific requirements are and then have her put through your request.

Good Luck!! The only extra thing they wanted me to do was an upper GI, and then they approved me.

My nurse told me you can drink it flat... yuck or later on you can have a few sips. They just worry that any type of carbination will stretch the new stomach. I'm a coke aholic soooo... for me this will be hard!!

I'm on liquids right now. broth, sugar free popsicles, Optifast drinks, crystal light and gatorade. It sucks big time. I'm on day 4 and hating it. I've lost about 5 lbs so far, but the taste in my mouth is bad!! Doing gum to try and cut it. I have to do 2 weeks of this now and then for another week after... looking forward to the mush stage. I'm worried about all of this salt intake, yuck. I got the lower sodium broth, but it tastes a little worse than the regular. Good luck... I'm there with ya.

You will be fine... talk to your nurse, they are very helpful with fear. The surgery is very short (my doctor does it in 30-45 min.), you'll be off the table quick and on your way. Some people even go home the same day. Everyone is different, but it's worth the pain in the long run. Try to focus on the positive, that's what I'm doing. Be informed, try to go to a support group. Michelle

My doctor told me I could if I wanted to, but he said all of his patients tell him they NEED IT, even after they lose their weight, because it keeps them on their diet plan mentally and physically. The old lap bands had some problems with erosion, but the new ones are pretty good and don't slip as often either.

Hey everyone...

I'm new... I am counting the days until my surgery on Jan 29th. I'm out here in Lansing, but I'm going to a surgeon named Tomita in Owosso. So far, so good. I picked my surgeon out because of his good rep in the area. I'm on my liquid diet now, and hating it. My mouth tastes like broth weather I'm drinking it or now. Anyone have anything to cut the taste? My nurse said it's normal... I'm trying to chew gum to kill it. Oh well, it's worth it. I would love some tips on good Protein powders and sugar free stuff, for afterwards. Can't wait for my surgery... it's been a long road to get it approved.

Nice to meet you all! Michelle in Michigan