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Hi, I'm Gina and I live in Texas, and I'm in the process of having the lap band procedure done through my insurance, Tricare Prime. My surgeon will be Dr. Richard Symmonds (I found this ironic!) at Scott and White in Temple (if Tricare approves the actual surgery). I'm hoping to gain information and support from this forum, it seems like a good thing to be involved in as I go through this process. Hope to talk with some of you soon!

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Welcome! We have a lot in common, I too am from Texas, was banded on 2/19/08 and have Tricare Prime! You will learn so much here - this place is invaluable. Keep us updated as to your progress.

Note - there are a TON of threads on Tricare under the Insurance Forum.

Good Luck

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Thanks! I'm a bit nervous, since Tricare hasn't approved the actual procedure yet. I'm hoping it won't all fall through.

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Hello - glad you find this site - it has been so helpful to me!!

I am in Central Texas and was banded Monday March 24th. All is going good - approximately 14 - 15 lbs lost from beginning of two week pre-op to now. I am sore, tired and a little hungry but it will all get better.

Welcome again.

Karen

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Yay! Make sure you let me know how it goes.....are you having it done at the Scott and White in Temple?

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Hi! Welcome to LBT. I know a girl who had the surgery approved by Tricare but don't remember if it was under Prime or Standard, either way I hope the process goes as smoothly for you as it did her. Look forward to hearing about your journey and welcome aboard. :blush:

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Yes, I will be in Temple. I have a friend that had it done there a year ago with Dr Symmonds and she has had great results-she has lost 80 pounds. I am using Dr. Rodriguez.

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Welcome! We have a lot in common, I too am from Texas, was banded on 2/19/08 and have Tricare Prime! You will learn so much here - this place is invaluable. Keep us updated as to your progress.

Note - there are a TON of threads on Tricare under the Insurance Forum.

Good Luck

minpinmom ~ who and where did you have your surgery?

Thanks...looking for surgeon but they don't list that bariatric on the tricare site for surgeons. How did you go about locating a doctor near you that took tricare prime?

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Dr. Spiegel did my surgery, he and the Hospital take Tricare Prime - It cost $12.00 per visit for the copay and $11.00 for the overnight hospital stay.

I searched for all the Dr.s that I considered were the BEST to do the surgery. Then I called their offices and asked if they took Tricare Prime - you can also find the Dr.s name and do a search on Tricare for that specific Dr.

I know some have called Tricare and had lots of luck that way - but I wanted to make sure that I got the best Dr., so I made a list. It just so happened, that my top choice accepted the insurance.

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Hi...

I'm also new to the site and from Texas. I'm looking into going to TLCEdge. Has anyone heard anything about them? I really want to do this for me but I'm scared. I have two good friends who have been banded and they are doing well and recommend it highly. I only get scared when I read about others who have had so many problems. I know I will do whatever possible to make this happen for me...but....

How is everyone else out there feeling?

Sharon :thumbs_up:

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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