RestlessMonkey

I didn't have to do one. But you need the appeal letter. You need to find out exactly EXACTLY why you were denied (you might need to call them) and then depending on what is missing, resubmit it. Tricare will be able to tell you their appeals process. You'll have to work a little but again, it's worth it if you want the band!

First I'd find out which surgeons/centers ARE covered by my insurance. That should be your initial step. And I agree...2K for a seminar is outrageous, unless they teach you how to do the surgery yourself! Good grief!

I will say, from what I've read, Tricare is VERY rigid. If, per their tables, (and they use something odd like the low end of the met life tables from 1980 or some such nonsense...you need to find out exactly WHAT...) you are supposed to be 100 pounds overweight and are only 99 overweight, they DENY you. This goes against common sense, but it's what they do. Too many people get a defeatist attitude and let them get away with it. If you want the band badly enough, find out exactly WHAT they are missing and make sure they have it! What will it take you, a few hours? and save you what, 15K or so? I don't know about you but I don't have a job that pays me 15K for 5 hours of work. Don't let them do this to you!

I'm so sorry! I have a cold and my brain is lying on a beach somewhere far far away! LOL The "full liquids" need to be of a consistency that will FIT through a straw, but no, you are right, you do NOT use a straw to drink or consume them! Just use that as a visual aid to make sure what you are having is thin and "clump free"! Thanks for asking about that! :thumbup: And if you see my brain running around loose somewhere, would you tell it to come home? Thanks! :frown:

Make sure you have aftercare lined up locally, or plan many return trips to Tiajuana. You will need a series of fills and maybe some unfills to get your band adjusted properly (most likely a minimum of 4-5 fills plus an unfill or two) and if you have pain, a slipped port, excess nausea etc that's another trip back, because unless you can find local care most bariatric surgeons will not see you if you are someone else's patient. If going back and forth to TJ isn't feasible, line up that care locally BEFORE you proceed. If you think about it most surgeon's don't want someone elses' "mess"....if they do take you, often the fees charged are very high. Get that in place first. The band requires a good deal of aftercare.

My Doctor covered this at the seminar I attended. He said it is related to the "trauma" of the surgery and protein, vitamin, or other supplements (like the popular biotin) have not, in his practice, made any difference. He said most lose hair between 3 and 6 months, only 1 of his 1000 Plus patients felt they needed a wig or hairpiece (and the lady owned a wig shop) and that everyone "grew it back". So I'm forwarned, braced for it, won't stress over it (that can make it worse) won't spend a bundle trying to "stop" it, and know it will all grow back again. Worth it for the band.

I didn't strain...but everything I had would through a straw. I did food process things though, not just "blend" them

Blend! You need to be able to get whatever through a straw! One I found wonderful was blended (I have a little food processor) split pea with ham. WOW that tasted like food!

Another San Antonian here (my dad was born in Burk Burnette) and another Dr. Cavazos bandee. (love my Dr. C) Good luck! :thumbup: And Emilie if you don't ever tell me when on the 9th you're going to be there, I AM running thru the halls yelling your name LOL OK OK I know you don't know when yet! :frown:

Get up and walk as soon as they will let you! and Follow your doc's orders re post op diets etc....they are for healing, not torture! I hope you love your band!

You said it. Until you get fills you won't have restriction. Now is a time to not worry about portions but focus on healing. The band is NOT rapid weight loss like by pass; the average is 1-2 pounds a week ONCE you have restriction. Give it time and give yourself a chance to heal. And don't just drink tea; you need some plain old water! (I know, I love sugar free tea too) I have found I need a good quantity of Water each day . My surgeon requires 64 ounces and I try to get that much each day...then I allow myself tea. Try that. BUT remember...you are healing right now. Let your body adjust.

So glad you're having a good "recovery"! I did too...no nausea, I felt a little stiff on the 2nd day but took two doses of the Darvocet the doc prescribed and felt fine; in fact night #2 I slept on my stomach! LOL I had my huband pull out the pain ball thingie that very first night, though; it bothered me, hanging there, way more than it helped me. I was never nauseated, never restricted, etc. So, you go girl! :bolt: In fact, I felt so good I had to keep reminding myself to have liquids etc. It was a big challenge! Enjoy your time off; be good to yourself. THe poster who said you did have surgery is right; even we who are lucky and have few issues need to be kind to ourselves! :tt1: Welcome to Bandland! :thumbup:

Personally I find the idea repugnant. Good grief, how pathetic! Sorry; I really try to not be judgmental; I mean I am VERY large and it happened because I overate. I try to understand everyone has issues and so on; but if that "chewing and spitting" thing worked, why even BOTHER with the band? WHY do bulimics SWALLOW? Not to make fun of anyone with an eating disorder which, at best, I think such a thing is....but, ewwwww.

I don't think "many" people reach goal without a fill, though; not sure where you got that statistic but from the literature I've read, studies don't show that to be true. A VERY small percentage of people feel restriction with just the band and don't need a fill FOR A WHILE...but as you lose and the visceral fat around your stomach disappears, your band will loosen too. However, let me reiterate that regardless, some people ARE successful without getting the band and maybe for you just the psychological fact that you went through the surgery will be enough to keep you motivated. Your doc knows what he's talking about...if he says you don't have a pouch, you don't. He was in there....he placed the band. You may not NEED the pouch, though, to lose with the band. So do what you think is right. One caveat however; if you are afraid of getting a fill because of PB'ing or something, maybe a psych visit or two would be in order (and I don't mean to presume you feel that way. You didn't say you did and I'm just thinking out loud, not trying to be judgmental or anything) because for most of us, that golden period of weight loss doesn't last without the restriction and satiety of the band. You'll do what's right for you!

I get my first fill 10/9 and I WANT it. It's why I got the band...I have absolutely no restriction whatsoever. However, you're the consumer. If you don't want it, don't get it.

Can you ask HR which policies cover WL surgery? Or ask for the booklets and read through them? Each employer is different...so you'd need to find out for your specific area etc, I'd think.

Reflux can also be caused from eating too much...

This might help...it's a tutorial a user made up a while back...very helpful http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

I WISH! I was hungry in the recovery room (and no, not "emotional" hunger...true HUNGER!) Lots have an abatement of hunger for the first few days but it will come back until you get sufficient fills. I should say a VERY small percentage of people don't need any fills and find sufficient satiety without any tightening of the band, but that is not common.

What's the max you lift at a time? My doc has us limited to 15 pounds for the first 2 weeks. A job like you describe, because of the lifting? I'd guess at least 3, maybe 4. Your surgeon can say what s/he recommends and also give you documentation, should you need it, for your employer. You'll probably feel much better before then, but after surgery, even laparoscopic, you need to heal and your band needs to settle.

My ins didn't require me to have a diet etc....some require 3 months' exercise, some the 6 month diet, some just want medical records etc etc...so best bet is to start there and work forward! :thumbup:

Tiff, I think the first step would be to contact your insurance, see if they COVER the lap band (assuming you aren't planning to pay for yourself!) and what their requirements are. Get them in writing! THEN pick a surgeon or two from your insurance list and hit some seminars. They are very informative and you get an idea of the surgeon and his/her staff...by then you'll have a good idea if you want to pursue it or not!

SueMagoo...if your doc's office is open on friday afternoons, call and ask. Seems to me like there shouldn't be blood in there, or maybe just a very very little. Even if the needled passed through a small capillary or vein, it would only have a little blood on it. Best to ask and then post the answer so you can educate all of us! :thumbup:

Gastric bypass is touted as the "cure" for diabetes but depending on how long you've been diabetic and what food choices you make post op (because you can still load up on carbs and sweets...no dumping syndrome with the band) your DM II can resolve or at the least be very well controlled post banding. The band is a tool, however, and you must be committed to using it. That means choose the right foods to eat, and exercise. I'd suggest going to a seminar and asking the surgeon what his/her results are with DM II. Most are not into a "hard sell"...but if you're worried, take a trusted friend or family member along to help you. Ask questions...see how you feel.

You both probably already thought of this but unless you plan to go back to TJ for fills and if you have pains, port flips, etc....make SURE you have aftercare lined up in the states. That's a real problem for people who have work done in another city or out of the country....