YngGram

I must ask if he is with a Center of Execellence? These guys seem to be more like what we expect. My seminar was about 2 hours ( I went to three different), my consult with the surgeron was about an hour. He talked with me about my medical history and discussed the process throughly. I had nutrition class for an hour where we taked about me, what I had tried, what I was doing currently and what did I expect to change after surgery. I later had a 4 hour group class,got had outs and a lot of q&a. So I have gotten a ton of info and 2 or 3 back up phone numbers to get answeres. I will have WLS next Monday. I am not as worried about my choice as some others have mentioned, so don't settle. Check him out well. Both of the first two I went to see didn't come off right to me. Good luck.

Pat the sofa and move over!!! I haven't been banned yet but I do know that you aren't alone. I am just on my pre-op and keep having "stupid" moments. I am not hungry, but for the last two hours have been fighting the urge to eat something I shouldn't! This past weekend I was all tears over everything and nothing. For many of us I think eating is an emotional thing and as women our emotions rule us. Food gets used for joy and sadness, celebration and solace. We learned the bad habit of turning to food and we just have to learn how to turn away from it. Don't be hard on yourself, it takes time and this is a new journey. I am reading everything I can and keeping my mind clear. Rejoice in the victory no matter how small, and forgive yourself of infractions no matter how big.

hmmmmm Go to tickerfactory.com and create the ticker. When you finish it will show the code for you to copy. Copy it and come back here to UserPc and paste the info into the signature box. This does not always work the first time. Good Luck!!!

Good luck and god speed!!

I am TriCare Standard, I suggest that you check the insurance post. I did my TriCare search there. It went smoothly for me, so good luck to you.

Counting down to the 9th, I have not found the pre-op diet to be to bad. Mine is not all liquid and I haven't been hungry. I find that I do have some texture issues I didn't know about. If nothing rubs the roof of my mouth I'm not sure I've eaten. I have been pulling back from the food for about 2 months so I am doing OK for now. I really do wish I had eaten that Prime Rib like I wanted to last week before I started the pre-op. Oh well, I really want t be under 220 before the 6th, so I'll just keep pushing for that.

Listed on my all my info packs as a good thing. The more fluid (not with meals) the better.

They do cover for back problems, my daughter had one. I also had one, but due to reconstruction of one from cancer.

I am doing the pre-op for surgery on the 9th as well. I am not hungry-I can have 2 high protein slimfast (using powder with sim milk) or carnation instant breakfast(no sugar), a sandwich, 1/2 cup veggies ...possible snacks.. cukes, tomatoes, 1/2 bannana, 1/2 grapefruit, cottage cheese, yogurt. Both powders taste fine and I add a little instant coffee in the am for the kick. Don't forget the water or crystal lite drinks.

Program fees are normal, but this is really high to me. I live in Northen VA, but I know other areas can be higher. I am driving over an hour to see someone that has no program fee. All my test could have been done with them, but I went for the convenice of close to home for those. I had 2 nutrition classes (1 as 4 hrs. long) that wre included. I checked with 2 other groups first and each had fees of about $450, plus they wanted me to do a 6 month structed program for a fee and use Optifast for 2 weeks at about $350, pay for nutrition classes about $200. Dang, not that far off from you. Check around, it might be worth it to drive.

The scale thing is big today! I posted and I think you are third to do so today, it must be Mon. I thought of this about an hour ago, the need to weigh is in connection with progress, and the need to see it. When I turned my head for about the fifth time to not look at it, the thought came to mind. I started my pre-op today and it is for 2 weeks. I went to workout, just some treadmill time and a little bike. My thought was to burn off the 180 cals. in the breakfast drink. I have pre-admission tests tomorrow so I won't get the gym. I will struggle in the morning to NOT get on the scale. I promised I would hold out until Fri. but I think we all know I won't make it!

Got mine at WalMart Super Center

O U T S T A N D I N G !!!!

First the good news, TriCare responds very quickly. My paperwork was submitted on 01/21 and approved 01/23!! Next, depending on where you are, I believe the sleep study is something your doc is asking for. I am TriCare North (HealthNet), and the test is not required by TriCare. I needed Pulmonary, cardiac, nutrition, and psych evals, TSH Leve, H-Pylori (bloodwork) for clearance. It took me 3 seminars, and 2 consults with surgerons to find one that didn't charge program fees or have requirements that insurance didn't have or cover. This group lets you do all the test at the same place. Not the way I went because I live an hour away. I got lucky because my PCP had oreded some of these as part of my yearly workup. I get banned in 2 weeks so just keep working and don't give up. Niterun

Ha Ha tag you're it!! I posted about this earlier because I know where I am headed. Started my pre-op diet today and I guess I will have to have that scale hidden until Fri. I have told myself that during this time I will only weigh on Mon. and Fri. when I get up. Today I have fought well for the pass few hours however I don't think I will do that well tomorrow. Whenever you think you want to get on the scale just scream 'NITERUN", maybe that will keep you off while you laugh at yourself and me. Niterun

Hi All, I was just wondering when and how often you guys hit the scales. I start my 2 week pre-op diet tomorrow and I have lost about 16lbs. in my efforts to prepare for the changes that are on the way. I will also track my actual loss on the pre-op but I don't want to be scale crazy. My DH says I already am.

I am Tricare Standard, not the same but still military related. As with all things military, if they got a rule, follow it , follow it, follow it. Check out their website if you haven't and start with their guidelines. I think you have to go through a military facility and documentation will be a big deal. Weight history and proof of weight loss programs tried and failed, 5 years is what is looked at most often. I also think you will need to do a 6 month structered weight loss program. They would have you meet with a base nutritionist and then once a month check in. I didn't have to do all of this but I think the people with TriCare Prime do. Good luck. I was approved in just a few days of having paperwork submitted. There are some ohter things you will need to do, but start with their requirements because it can get involved.:tt2:

I'm not self pay but this is how it went. Seminar on 11/3 evening about 2 hours in a classroom, on time. Next week consult with surgeron, was weighed and discussed questions, the procedure, and upcoming tests needed and turned in the med history packet. Waited for results from tests. Had a nutrional eval and paperwork submittet to insurance. Approval on 1/23 then had a 4 hour nutrion class to cover what to expect in hosptial, pre-op diet, food after surgery and q & a. My date is 3/9 so I have pre admission blood work and such this Monday and will start 2 week pre op diet.

I have same date, feel same way. We rock, just don't worry.

I'm not there yet but, was told to expect this. Sip, sip, sip. No sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink made with skim milk. The nutreints are there, go slow.

:eek: Doc's letter came on Wed., I will roll on 3/9 as promised!

I am in the trainning stage. I start the liquids next Monday for 2 weeks. I starting trainning in Nov. for the changes that were to come with lapband, it is my hope that it will make things a little easier for me to learn to do it on my own. Cut out the sweet tea and learned to drink the no cal Crystal Light type. Not to hard, saving a ton of money on sugar. Next was to start to cut back on the protions, little tuffer but OK. 3 weeks ago I started to have a liquid for breakfast. This was hardest because I NEVER ate breakfast, understand that's part of my old weight issues, also I use Skim Milk. I am now doing 2 shakes (slimfast or carnation instant) and whatever meal I want, down 14lbs. without exercise and I haven't felt hungry. This is self empossed, so I can't cheat because I don't have any rules to follow. I really hope this helps on Monday when the rules start. :blush:Taking a test run now on a protein smoothie...OH BOY! Not happy now about this.

Thank you and good luck to you as well. I will be banned on the 9th of March. Just got back from the "Hopstial & post surgery" shopping trip. Sipping a protein smoothie (yuck), NO PAIN NO GAIN UHHH LOSS!

Don't know if it will help, but it's what I am doing. I gave up (mostly) SWEET TEA, I drank it by the gallon daily. The replacement was the Wal-Mart or Food Lion brand of Crystal Light type drink. It's flavored water really but it doesn't have the funky aftertaste of diet stuff that I hate. Also it comes in Raspberry and Peach Iced Tea, enough flavor to not miss the sugar. I also am weening myself off of the heavy lunches and dinners. Smaller portions on smaller plates, slowly started to replace one of those meals with a slim fast (equate) and I added a breakfast drink (Carnation w/skim milk). I didn't usually eat breakfast and my doc says that has been a big part of weight problems. I have lost lbs without exercise. I am trying to move around the house more. I get up and just move, vac a little longer than needed, make more trips to put away the laundry. It hasn't been so much about losing pounds but prep for the pre op liquid diet. Many here say they are straving by the third day and I wanted to help stop that if I can.:thumbup: It's been about a month and I feel OK about it if I have a "bad" day. I start the real liquid diet on the 23rd. so I hope this has worked the way I wanted it to. Good luck.

I just told my best friend tonight. The kids and spouse were told when I started my research. I hesitated to tell my friend because she had bypass a few years ago and has gained about 50-60 lbs back. She is very sensitive and I don't want her to feel bad about her situation or about mine(success or failure). I know she will give me all she can to help me be a success. I am very strong minded and I will not take guff off of anyone about anything I do. Therefore, the fewer people who know, the fewer I should be charged with assaulting!