talkalot1981

Wow I didn't even know we could do that with our card. I mean I am not banded yet(1 month to go) but that is good to know. I guess what I would do would be to decided where I wanted to go first and call in advance. That way if they do say no it is just over the phone and not face to face. If that resturant does accept them, then I would tell the waiter you called in advanced because maybe not every waiter knows about being able to use the card. That is pretty neat. I didn't even know that. I will have to remember that after I get banded! Jennifer

Well you can alway appeal if you get denied. When you appeal they have to submit the paperwork all over again and that gives you a chance of using a different weight... But you never know, like you said just keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.. Jennifer

Hello, well I have Triwest as well. I am 5'4" 249 lbs. I got approved with having 1 co-morbity, high bloop pressure. Well actually I had to gain 6 lbs and ended up gaining 11 12 by accident.:thumbdown: Tricare usually only goes by the med frame stats on the Met life table. So you might want your surgeon to specify that you are small framed. Even with the small frame using the 200% you need to be 242. They use the highest number. If you are small frame and have 1 co-morbity then you will need to be 229. If you have no co-morbities, then you might want to stuff your pockets with some weights. lol eat a real big and salty meal the night before and the day of. And go with a full bladder... I dunno if this helped but if you have any other questions just let me know.... Jennifer

Thank everyone for your responses. They are great. I called my hubby last night and told him as soon as he gets home from his fishing trip he has to read what everyone has wrote. jms462001: I think you may be right because eveytime I talk about the surgery and being scared he had this blank look on his face and then instantly hugs me.... Men, don't even have to say anything and we know what they are thinking..(well sometimes)..LOL Jennifer

Thanks so much. He's thinking the gas that they pump in will just come out as farts. I will explain all this all over again and see if it makes more sense to him. He is very hard headed and likes to think he KNOWS everything. Thanks again, Jennifer

He doesn't really understand what causes the pain...

OK, I was trying to explain to my husband why I will be in pain the first couple of days after surgery. He doesn't get it. I doesn't know why the band will hurt. He has watched the surgery with me online and still doesn't know why. I told him the port has to be stitched to my muscle, so he know why that might hurt but doesn't understand the rest. I don't know how to explain to him why. It is kind of upsetting me because I am affraid he might act as if it isn't a big deal. You know what I mean...Neither one of us has ever had any real surgeries, so that might be a reason. He has taken 10 days leave from work to be with me and the kids, so I am guessing he actually does care... LOL Can anyone tell me how to explain it to him... Thanks so Much, Jennifer

This sound really good. Like the sauce they put on chicken for the Chinese Peanut Chicken. Thats my fav..........

I have Triwest also. I had to go to my PCM. I told him I wanted to see about getting the lapband. He put in a referrel to Triwest. 2 days later it was approved. I checked online and found out I was approved. Tricare chose which surgeon I got to see. Tricare faxes that surgeon my approval and I called them and made an appointment. After I got all my pre-op testing done, the surgeons office, send in my paperwork and I waited for Tricare to approve the surgery or not. 4 days later I was approved. My PCM didn't have a problem with sending in a referrel to tricare, I was oviously overweight enough to get the surgery. I hope this helped but I am not sure if it make sense.... Jennifer

Actually HH Top Tier was banded on the 24th!!!! So she is banded now!!!:thumbup: Jennifer

YAH!!!!!!!! Congrats. I know how excited I was when I got approved. My surgery date is July 28th and it can't get here fast enough!!!!! Jennifer

I haven't had my surgery yet but shoot as soon as my husband gets off work I am going to have him get on here and read this stuff. Thanks so much for posting this... Jennifer

I am not banded yet but I was on Lexapro for about 3 months. It was giving me head aches so the doc switched me to Effexor 75 mg. I started using it because my hubby was deployed to Iraq. It, for me, is mostly for Anxiety. I suffered from Seperation anxiety. I have gained weight after taking it but I also quit smoking so it is probably from both. The doc told me the meds might even help me lose weight. Yeah Right!!!!! Jennifer

ewww I know what you mean about the hot dog.... My kids do the same. It makes we wonder "Do I feed them enough? Are they starving when they eat?" LOL My youngest even had a WHOLE green bean come out his nose once when he vomited.....:thumbup:

Congrats.... I can't wait for my date to get here. Did you have to stay over night? I know I will .. not sure what time my surgery is yet but I am way excited. I know when it gets closer the fear will set it. Congrats again and I hope I have a great outcome like you have.. Keep us posted Jennifer

My date is July 28th.... You are now a July 09 Freedom Fighter Congrats..... Jennifer

I would like to know this also. I do not have a desk job. I al on my feet all day and life at least 30 lbs. I was thinking aboit taking 2 weeks off but now I don't know if its enough!!

Well congrats... I didn't have to do a supervised diet either... I got my referrel from my on Apr 2nd and I am getting Banded July 28th... I am way to excited!!! Jennifer

I mentioned no names, so why are you taking offence to what I said????

It is quite funny how people hop thread to thread just to bash peoples opinions!!!!!:smile2:

First off I would like to say, I haven't been banded YET!!! OHH TopTier, Congrats your surgery is tomorrow...My husbands birthday... Anyway, I am choosing the band because that is what I feel is right for me. I have about 100 lbs to lose. My mom on the other hand has about 250 lbs to lose and she is choosing the RNY. Now my Aunt had GB about 5 years ago. She did loose 120 lbs but has gained back about 50 or so and is now wanting the LapBand. When you go into WLS you choose what you think is best for you but that surgery may not agree with you. I am just hoping all the best for me and my mother and hope we have made the right choice!!!! I hope I have no regrets!!!!!

The second I got my letter(well actually I could check on my insurances website) I called my surgeon to schedule an appointment. lol But they hadn't recieved my approval from my insurance so I had to wait another day!!! LOL My surgery day is July 28th and I couldn't be happier. Congrats to you. I know the feeling of being way to excited about being approved... Maybe you can be a July Freedon Fighter as well...... Jennifer

Congrats to everyone who is now a July 09 Freedom Fighter. I can't wait to begin my new life!!!! Jennifer

I was freaking out because my surgeon wanted me to be 2 months smoke free before I would even have my first consult with him. Well I quit Apr 2nd and haven't smoked since. I have switched surgeon due to out of pocket expensive. This surgeon doesn't require me to be smoke free but I still haven't started again. I guess what made me really want to quit was that I wanted the surgery even more. Jennifer

I am sorry to say Wasa but you are being a bitch about it. Wait no I am not sorry. Why did you convert to the sleeve after getting the band?? Was the band not keeping you at your goal weight? I know alot of people who will convert to either a sleeve or RNY because the band did not work for them. There has to be some reason. I guess if any of us has a different opinion then you we better watch out cause you will have something to say about that!!!! If it makes you feel better to have the last word please feel free to respond with some type of jerky ass comment! I have better things to do then to sit on the computer all day!!!!!