Mommie_of_4
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Tricare Approval or Denial??
Mommie_of_4 replied to JamieNP's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Tricare South doesn't list the doctors under bariatric surgeon or weightloss (event though it would be a big help). The bariatric surgeon are listed under 'general surgery' or sometimes 'vascular surgery'. The way I found my doctor is going some of the doctor names on the LapbandTalk website in my area and then searching for the specific doctor's name on the humana-military.com site. My doctor Dr. Craig A Ferrara, DO is in Fort Worth. The surgery went great and I'm definately pleased with my results. It was VERY quick in getting the entire process completed. I went in Late July 2008 for my initial consultation, office submitted the forms and was approved first part of August. I think it was a total of 8 days until I was approved. Didn't know if I was going to be...but Tricare approved it and the rest is 'weight loss' history. PM me if you have any additional questions!! -
It's been SOOOO long since I have logged into this site!! But wanted to give an update on my progress and see how everyone else has been doing. My surgery was September 15th. I have lost 63 pounds since my surgery date. I am weighing in at 178 pounds. I still have at least 28 more pounds to go to my 150 pound goal. Would love to see 140 pounds again...but I would be more than happy to just be 150 pounds. I'm able to get in clothes that I have hanged on to for years...it's a great feeling!! I'm trying to work out more because I want to tone up too while I'm losing weight. My last fill was in May 2009. I think I'm due another one because I feel like I can eat a bit too much and I'm not losing anymore really. Is anyone thinking about a tummy tuck or breast lift/reduction? I am. I was 42E cup and now I'm like a 38 DD...I've had 3 c-sections so losing my stomach is harder so a tummy tuck would be needed...but I'm still debating on that. Anyway...everyone keep up the GREAT work!!
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Help - I'm stuck and I am in so much pain
Mommie_of_4 replied to debbieperez55's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
They say pineapple juice either makes it go down or come up. I've never resorted to it before, but other bandsters I met in the Drs. office swear by it. -
March... our 6 month bandiversary... where are we now?
Mommie_of_4 replied to terilynn112's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Thanks Deb!! I'm working on it. I actually bought clothes today that didn't have the big 'W' behind the size. I bought two outfits 1 for Easter and another just because it was TOOO cute. The Easter suit is a size 18 (but a normal 18 - which I could never get it before) because 16 skirt was a little more snug than I would like for church. And the other pants set (denim look) is a size 16!! The pants are a bit snug but in about 2 weeks they will be perfect. You keep up the good work...and congrats on hitting your sweet-spot! I actually have a membership at 24 hour fitness. They let you bring all the kids without having to pay an extra fee. I was a member at LA fitness but you only get 1 childcare spot and then it's $10 per month per child. So I cancelled that membership quick...fast...and in a hurry!! -
March... our 6 month bandiversary... where are we now?
Mommie_of_4 replied to terilynn112's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Wow, six months!! I've lost 40 pounds and am officially in ONEderland!! I've still been wearing my big clothes because I haven't wanted to buy any clothes yet and too scared to try on any of my old clothes that I could no longer wear because of my weight gain. Well I tried on some size 16 pants and they were too BIG!!! So I ventured to try on a pair of 14 pants that I had buried in the back of my closet...I could get into them but they were a little snug. But SOON!! I think the working out will take me to the next level and push me into losing more weight. I've been working out but no consistently. So I need to plan on working out at 3 to 4 days a week minimum...but finding the time is so hard. With 4 kids, working, husband out of town 90% of the time...but I have to find a way!! -
Please remember for it to be tax deductible you have to meet the minimum adjusted gross income (line 38 on the 1040 return)requirement in your medical bills. Per the IRS 'You can deduct only the amount of your medical and dental expenses that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income'. (http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html) So if your AGI is $80K, your expenses must be OVER $6000. And if your medical expenses are $6150...you can only deduct the $150 that caused it to be over the 7.5%. If your employer has a Medical Flexible Spending Account...I HIGHLY recommend you getting into that because that money comes out before you are taxed and you are reimbursed any medical expenses without paying taxes on it. If you want more insight send me a PM and I talk with you about it. Just to let you all know that I'm not a quack...I have an accounting degree and have done hundreds of tax returns. My doctor bills for the surgery totalled $36K. So glad I have insurance, I didn't pay a dime (no copay). Tricare is GREAT!!!
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tootsuzy ~ from what my doctor said...you are banded but not restricted. You will have to eat slower right now because of the band but there is not liquid in your lapband to restrict your food. So you are still able to eat the food that you could before which is why you are still hungry. So after your fill is when you should hopefully be losing more weight.
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Sorry for the late check in!! It's been two weeks since my surgery and I'm feeling GREAT!! I had my surgery on Sept 15. I went in at 10am and was home by 4pm. All went great with the surgery. No complications. I had to go through the at-home recovery alone because my husband went out of town that night. But I was a real 'Samurai' and didn't have any problems with the recovery. I was able to get up and take care of myself and my 4 kids. The lapband recovery was a cake-walk compared to the 3 c-section recoveries I had to endure. I didn't have any gas pains, or shoulder pains. I did have to battle naseau...I had it until Thursday, but the medication was GREAT!!! The incisions look really good. I have 4 quarter inch incisions and 1 that is about 1 1/2 inches long. They are healing nicely. I have lost about 13 pounds so far, but wish it was more...just greedy!! I don't have any restrictions right now but I do have to eat slower. I have my first fill on Oct. 6th, so I'm really lokking forward to that and hopefully losing more real soon. Well today is the last day of the 'Samurai'. I hope all had a great surgery experience and doing well...now let's kick some ass and lose weight!!
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Sorry for the late check in!! It's been two weeks since my surgery and I'm feeling GREAT!! I had my surgery on Sept 15. I went in at 10am and was home by 4pm. All went great with the surgery. No complications. I had to go through the at-home recovery alone because my husband went out of town that night. But I was a real 'Samurai' and didn't have any problems with the recovery. I was able to get up and take care of myself and my 4 kids. The lapband recovery was a cake-walk compared to the 3 c-section recoveries I had to endure. I didn't have any gas pains, or shoulder pains. I did have to battle naseau...I had it until Thursday, but the medication was GREAT!!! The incisions look really good. I have 4 quarter inch incisions and 1 that is about 1 1/2 inches long. They are healing nicely. I have lost about 13 pounds so far, but wish it was more...just greedy!! I don't have any restrictions right now but I do have to eat slower. I have my first fill on Oct. 6th, so I'm really lokking forward to that and hopefully losing more real soon. Well today is the last day of the 'Samurai'. I hope all had a great surgery experience and doing well...now let's kick some ass and lose weight!!
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Hi slowmover!! Well things are going well. I get my first fill on Oct. 6th. I basically went through my recovery alone because my husband went out of town that night and I had to take care of the kids. (forget the medal...give me a spa vacation!!). I didn't tell anyone else about the surgery, so I couldn't lean on them afterwords. But the recovery went really well...no gas pains, no shoulder pains, it was really easy compared to my c-section surgeries (I've had 3). I'm just looking forward to losing weight. I have lost 10 pounds so far...but nothing in the last week. So I can't wait for a fill!!
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It's been 2 weeks now, how are you doing? I can't even imagine having to take care of 4 kids after I had my surgery. You deserve some kinda medal.
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Tricare Approval or Denial??
Mommie_of_4 replied to JamieNP's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Breanna, Like Gina said...no one measured my wrists either to determine my body frame. I think tricare just goes with medium unless the doctor says otherwise. Also for my comorbids were self-referred. I told my lapband dr. that I have joint pain (plus my referral to the dr from the primary was for joint pain). I hadn't been taking any medication for it for a long length of time. I was 220 and 5'4 (approved in 3 days). So what do you have to lose...but weight!! -
Thanks!! all went great. My surgery was scheduled for 10 am and it happened right on time. I was at home by 4pm. I'm a little sore but that's about it. I haven't taken anymore meds since I left the hospital because my hubby is out of town now and I have the kids. So I'm just dealing with the pain (for now). The nurses were amazed at how quickly I got up. I had to go to the bathroom and walked myself to the restroom. But anyway, thanks for checking!!
