JamieNP

Alex, I am not getting my emails. My settings have not changed. Am I the only one??

What type of insurance do you have? There are many threads with the insurance companies and requirements. Each on is different. Good luck!

I am considering cosmetic surgery in the summer of 2009. Can anyone recommend a surgeon in Southern Indiana or Nashville, TN? I live in TN, but my family lives in Southern Indiana and I may go up there to have it done so that they can take care of me. I know each surgeon has a "specialty", so I am interested in getting my boobs done and a tummy tuck. Possibly getting my eyelids done also while I am there. Thanks for any suggestions you have!

You could do a couple of things. 1. get a drink (water) and have them put it in a cocktail glass with a stirrer straw, or in a wine glass. 2. tell them that you are on medication and you can't drink 3. tell them you are on a diet and etoh is off of your list 4. walk around with a drink in your hand but don't drink it (this might be too tempting for you) 5. Tell them to leave you alone!

You smell much better!

I am still not getting my email notifications. Anyone else?

I was on it for a month. The book that the Surgeon's nutrition class gave said "one month". When I went in to my preop appointment they told me that was old. I only needed to be on it for a couple of days before. Oh well! It got me mentally prepared for surgery.

Put a balloon over the lip of a Liter bottle of Soda. You don't even have to shake it up. Just let it sit there for awhile and watch what happens. I don't want that happening to my pouch. I was a "Coke-aholic" and it was hard at first, but now I have no problems. I like my water or unsweetened tea with lemon. Much more hydrating.

Jump in the shower, for God's sake, before you run your family off! Just kidding. You can shower, just don't rub over the incisions or remove the glue. You can let the water and suds run over your belly, but just don't scrub.

Sounds like me! I had to gain 6.5 lbs for Tricare to approve me and I ate everything in site (I am a nurse too). I kept loosing weight! I ended up gaining and got approved. At least it is winter and you can wear heavy clothes when you weigh in!

They go by the met life weight chart and use medium frame. If you are under they will deny.I was there and had to gain the weight to be appoved.

I got stuck the other day on boiled eggs and did the downward facing dog and it worked brilliantly!

I didn't have a pain pump. I was on a morphine PCA pump while in the hospital ( a patient controlled analgesic through the IV). You should be ok. I was sent home on liquid lortab.

Ok, here...I will make you nervous (get the valium ready). I had to have a complete exam. Vaginal, rectal, etc. They warned me beforehand. Just call the surgeon's office and ask.

This all depends on what your surgeon requires. You need to call the pharmacy and see if your meds can be crushed. Most blood pressure meds can be crushed unless they are an extended release type med. I chew up my lisinopril and then open my HCTZ and pour the capsule's powder in my mouth. Some meds taste very nasty. If they cannot be crushed, you may have to get it in liquid form. If that is the case, you will have to talk with the doctor that prescribed the med and have them switch the med to liquid. Anytime you get a new prescription you will have to let the doctor know that you need the med in liquid or crushable form..or reditabs. Some surgeons have no problem with pts swallowing pills whole. Mine said ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I did that a little pre op. I was mourning my favorite foods...like pizza! I knew that I would never have it again (or not at least for a long time). It will be ok. Just get your head in the right frame of mind. This week you need to be back on track, esp after Tuesday.

Mine hurt for awhile after too. Every step I took I would notice it. Then, about week 5, it stopped. Every now and then it is tender, but no biggy.

I wasn't going to tell anyone, even my husband. But it ended up that I have told everyone! I am a nurse and I have taken this opportunity to educate my coworkers and anyone else that asks about it. There is enough negative images around WLS. And you know, it has been nice. They have been supportive and are keeping me in check too!

Update: If you couldn't tell, I got approved after gaining the 6.5 lbs and resubmitting the new wt.

I am -42 lbs now. How often are we updating?

Something that has helped me is using a small bowl and a baby spoon. I am one of those that takes huge bites.

I am doing great. I am down to 178 lbs. Can't believe it! Boobies are sagging though :Dancing_sorry: I have introduced regular food this week and it has been going good. Of course, I am not over doing it. No bread, rice or pasta. Last night at work I was hungry, so I invaded the doctor's lounge (I supervise sometimes and have access to the whole hospital). I had a boiled egg and 3 cubes of cheese. It was tempting not to get a bear claw, but I resisted. I really don't feel much restriction, so I am really trying to be good. I am very happy with the band...so far no regrets!

First of all, if you have to wait that long to get a PCM approval, I would go to someone else. I went in to a doctor I had never met before, handed them a paper that I typed up (a typed health history, diet history, etc) and said "I want a referral for lapband sugery". I don't know if it was because I was a nurse, but he didn't hesitate and wrote the referral. There are stories here of people getting approved without the comorbidities...but I think Tricare is getting a little tougher. You will HAVE to follow thier guidelines. You have to have a comorbidity if fall in the 100 lbs category. If you are 200% overweight you should have no problem. Have you been on blood pressure meds? Do you have painful joints? Etc Etc. Just try to be prepared. I really can't believe Karina got denied again after all she went through. I think part of it depends on who reviews your paperwork at Tricare. Good luck!

If we are counting that, then I am 55 lbs (I had to gain 6.5 lbs to qualify for the surgery). I just figured it was band related weight.

Ask alex, maybe he has an idea how to do it. How often are we weighing in?