vayiayia

I received a call from my SWL doctor's office two weeks ago. My insurance, Tricare Standard, has approved my LapBand surgery. I have a surgery date of April 16th (not soon enough for me!). My process began in mid-November 2008 with eight pre-op orders that had to be completed before the surgeon's office would request surgical approval from my insurance company. Initial Blood labs Chest x-ray Upper GI testing Psych evaluation Support group meeting Pre-op wellness and exercise class White light scan

I received a call from my SWL doctor's office two weeks ago. My insurance, Tricare Standard, has approved my LapBand surgery. I have a surgery date of April 16th (not soon enough for me!). My process began in mid-November 2008 with eight pre-op orders that had to be completed before the surgeon's office would request surgical approval from my insurance company. Initial Blood labs Chest x-ray Upper GI testing Psych evaluation Support group meeting Pre-op wellness and exercise class White light scan

Hello, I haven't been banded yet, but I have has issues with leg and calf cramping. It is uaually do to dehydration and/or low potassium. For the next few days, eat a banana and 8oz of Water 3 x daily. The banana is mashable and a good food and Vitamin source. I, personally, have resigned myself to eating a banana daily and taking a potassium and Calcium suppliment for the rest of my life. I also keep a one gallon drink dispenser (the glass/plactic type with spouts that are sold summer drinks) in my kitchen and bedroom filled with water. You can easily flavor the water if needed with one of the many powdered energy packets on the market these days. And, yess, bring this to the attention of your doctor. Blessings, vayiayia

Hi, I'm using Norfolk Surgical Group and Dr Wolgemuth. He was highly recommended by my Gastro doctor, as his surgeon. I live in the Dam Neck/General Booth area. Blessings, Joanna

Hello, Can someone who has been banded by WLSC in Newport News tell me if there are any out of pocket expenses not covered by insurance? I went to a Lap Band seminar with the Norfolk Surgical group. I have full insurance coverage. The entire group of seminar attendees were told there is a one time out of pocket fee for services ($500) that is not covered by insurances. The fee has to be paid at the initial office visit to proceed with pre-op care and surgical schedualing. Is this common with other Tidewater weight loss surgeons? Thanks!!!

Hello, Can someone who has been banded by WLSC in Newport News tell me if there are any out of pocket expenses not covered by insurance? I went to a Lapband seminar with the Norfolk Surgical group. I have full insurance coverage. The entire group of seminar attendees were told there is a ne time out of pocket fee for services ($500)that is not covered by insurances. The fee has to be paid at the initial office visit to proceed with pre-op care and surgical schedualing. Is this common with other Tidewater weight loss surgeons? Thanks!!!

Hello, Obama is not black. He is Blite. He's as much white as he is black. It's his associations that I'm concerned about.

I'm not banded yet, but I have been giving myself inter-muscular B-12 shots for 5 years. Actually, my husband gives me the shot in my deltoid muscle. My doctor gives me a 1 year refillable script plus needles. It's covered by most insurances. I take two shots weekly. Ask your gastro or primary care doc to write you a script. Considering that you are B-12 deficient, your doc shouldn't have issue with the request.

Hello! Also, may I suggest getting letters of support from other doctors you have seen. For example: a sleep doc if you have apnea; a GYN if ou have ovarian cysts; a copy of your medical records if you have high blood pressure or arthritis; if you've had back or knnee probems, a letter from the orthopedic doc; documentqtion if you are depressed and/or taking meds. I agree, get a new pcp. If you really like this pcp, you can always return to to him after the lap-band surgery. I wish you the best!!!

Hello! Go to FreeCycle.com and see if there is a group in your area. It's a great place to pass on things you no longer need or use, and to find things you'd like. Everything is free. Hope this helps!

Whoa! That doesn't sound normal. I'd see my doc ASAP!!!

Would love to chat. Considering Lap Band in Virginia Beach. Tricare standard. Only a few docs with good recs on the Lap Band list for my area. Thanks!

Thank you so much for the response. It was very encouraging! After all that I have read, I am every doctor involved in my general care for a letter of support. I have arthritis in my knees, so I've asked the ortho doc. I have reflux and GHRD, so I've asked my gastro doc. I have sleep apnea, so I'm asking my sleep doc. And with all of the above mentioned, I am asking my PCP for a letter as well. I don't want to give my insurance company any excuse to say no. Thanks again!!!

Greetings All! I am happy to have found this site because all I had been finding is Lap Band sites with bad reviews and complaints :smile:. I am open to everyone's input, as I am in the decision stage of the process. I'm in a rut. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm the heaviest I've ever been. My weight problems began with a sudden onset of weight gain 21 years ago. I had a two year bout of a mystery illness and packed on 40 pounds within three months. It's been a battle ever since. My body hurts; my knees, my back, my stomach, my self esteem, my spirit. I hate having photos taken. I discard most of them. I’m depressed and have become unsocial. My worse fear is that I'll just get fatter and fatter. I can't honestly say that diet and exercise doesn't work, because I just can't seem to muster up the will-power to actually stick with a portion control plan. As far as exercise goes, my body just hurts too much to do the simplest of exercise routines. I tried walking several times last and this week and I was in agony. My knees were hurting and my back went into spasms. I’m discouraged and disgusted with who and what I have become. :thumbup: If anyone out there has Tricare Standard, I’d appreciate your commentary regarding insurance coverage for the Lap Band procedure and how easy or difficult it was to get approval. Thanks!

Greetings All! I am happy to have found this site because all I had been finding is Lap Band sites with bad reviews and complaints :smile:. I am open to everyone's input, as I am in the decision stage of the process. I'm in a rut. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm the heaviest I've ever been. My weight problems began with a sudden onset of weight gain 21 years ago. I had a two year bout of a mystery illness and packed on 40 pounds within three months. It's been a battle ever since. My body hurts; my knees, my back, my stomach, my self esteem, my spirit. I hate having photos taken. I discard most of them. I’m depressed and have become unsocial. My worse fear is that I'll just get fatter and fatter. I can't honestly say that diet and exercise doesn't work, because I just can't seem to muster up the will-power to actually stick with a portion control plan. As far as exercise goes, my body just hurts too much to do the simplest of exercise routines. I tried walking several times last and this week and I was in agony. My knees were hurting and my back went into spasms. I’m discouraged and disgusted with who and what I have become. :thumbup: If anyone out there has Tricare Standard, I’d appreciate your commentary regarding insurance coverage for the Lap Band procedure and how easy or difficult it was to get approval. Thanks!