afmomofthree

Hi. I had surgery on the 19th with a hernia repair and some umbilical adhesions. I had the chest and shoulder pain along with some pain at the port, but I'm doing much better now. I am starving. I am not supposed to start soft foods until Thursday but I didn't make it that far. I had some mashed potates and chicken (little bites) and had no problem. I think everyone is different and if you decide to have something ahead of time just be careful. Good luck! Salena

My surgery is tomorrow too! Good luck to everyone!

Hi everyone! I too am being banded on May 19th. I just found out last week when my surgery date is. I haven't even had my pre-op with the doc yet. It's scheduled for 5/13/09. Not much time for a pre-op diet. Getting nervous!

Hi all. I'm being banded on May 19th. Kinda nervous because I was denied in January and they approved on appeal just last week. I haven't even met with my surgeon for my pre-op and that's not until 5/13. I know there's a diet involved and I'm wondering if I should start at least switching to liquids now or wait. I'm just afraid he's going to want some astronomical amount of pounds off. Also, any advice on the pre-op liquid diet? Thanks!

Hi. I just found out on 5/5 that my denial has been reversed and I have been approved! Got a call from my surgeon's office yesterday with a surgery date of May 19th! I'm freakin out a little because I wasn't expecting it to be so soon. Any advice?

I finally got my denial reversed! I'm still kind of in shock at the moment. I just found out on May 5th and they've already got me scheduled for surgery on May 19th! Not quite prepared because I didn't expect it to happen that fast after submitting the appeal. It took all of 89 out of 90 days to submit it but so far, it's worth the wait.

Well...l didn't have much luck with my PCP yesterday. I believe she's been burned regarding the lap band. I see a dr on the nearest navy base and she wasn't helpful at all. She was the one that suggested the lap band and started the ball rolling but as we went along she started changing her story. In November we had gone over my bp being a little elevated. She didn't want to address this because she thought I would be approved for the lap band. Anyway, I saw her yesterday and informed her I had been denied. As soon as I said this she automatically started telling me she couldn't help me and she was sorry I didn't get approved. When we discussed my bp she still doesn't want to address it because she said diet and exercise will fix it. I have had chronic low back pain that has hindered me from exercising. The MRIs haven't shown anything. I left there yesterday nearly in tears because she didn't want to do anything to help me. I'm at a loss. I want to appeal but don't know what to do now. I am working on a personal letter about how it affects my life but I'm sure that won't be enough. Does anyone have any suggestions. I just don't want to be miserable anymore.

I have set up my appt with my PCP for the blood pressure issue. What ticks me off is we discussed my bp on last visit which was 151/98 at the time, and she didnt even document the discussion of bp meds. On my visit note it says no blood pressure issues!!! I still haven't gotten my denial and appeal in the mail. I'm anxious to get it started. Time is weight!!! I am trying to work on my letter on how the weight impacts my life. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all! Well, I talked with a friend of mine that is an RN in the or where my surgeon works and happens to know him pretty well. She wants to talk with him about me and see if there's anything he can do to help with my appeal since his coordinator basically told me I'm on my own. I haven't gotten my denial letter in the mail so I can start on my appeal. In the meantime, I am going to make an appt with my PCP and have her put me on those BP meds and make sure it's documented so I have an official comorbid on file. I'm not giving up until I have exhausted all avenues!!!

Thanks for the post JWRN! I checked out the metlife chart...too bad they don't go by BMI because mine is 41.1. I have high blood pressure but my PCM didn't want to address it since I was going for the band. I could have screamed. I told her it would be helpful but no go. Maybe now I can go back and get her to do it and have it documented. I will see about getting a sleep study from her. She's a military doc and it's like pulling teeth to get things done. Anyway, I don't mean to rant but my surgery was scheduled for 2/20 and now I'm having to go through this. :cursing: Thanks for your help!

Hi there. I'm new here. I started my journey on 11/21/08. I had lab work, ekg and chest xray 11/22/08. I had my fitness eval 12/10/08 and psych consult 1/8/09. All submitted paperwork to Tricare South on 1/23/09. Just got the call from the surgeon's office today that I was DENIED by Tricare. She mentioned an appeal. I don't have comborbids but I am 5'3", BMI 42. I do have chronic back pain and exercising is absolute agony. Any advice or ideas. Do I need to write a letter along with my appeal? More documentation? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I've been following some of the posts on here but just now registered. I have gone through the process for approval for the lap band, but Tricare has denied my request for the surgery:frown:. Any advice on the appeal process or help would be greatly appreciated.