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No more tears of joy...

savannahsmommie

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savannahsmommie    0

savannahsmommie
Posted

I am so upset. I actually am fighting back tears at work. I have been battling with Tricare and WLS to get my referral submitted for. I was guaranteed it was faxed with a confirmation on 4/17. This past week I have been trying to get more information on it. Unfortunately, Tricare doesn't have any. IT WAS NEVER SENT!! The lady lied to me numerous times. So I have been calling all day trying to get ahold of her, because apparently she is the only one in the office that submits them. She's on vacation as of today! For three weeks! AHHH! So now I have to wait another month because I'm being told no one else has access to her system. :thumbsup:

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Minxz    0

Minxz
Posted

UGH I hate insurance. Can your Doctor put some pressure on them? Hang in there I know it seems forever but don't give up that is their tactic!!

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AlaskaGirl77    0

AlaskaGirl77
Posted

Can you go see a different surgeon?

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HeatherO    7

HeatherO
Posted

That is really awful and I can understand your frustration.

Can you take matters into your own hands . . . like maybe going to the doctors office and asking them to make a copy of the referral from your patient file and see if you can fax it yourself or have them physically fax it from there?

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savannahsmommie    0

savannahsmommie
Posted

My WLS office is two hours from my house. I have spoken to managers, coordinators, and billing. Everyone keeps telling me I have to wait for Katherine. I called Tricare and they can't do anything until the get the request. I asked the WLS office to fax me over the auth request and my record and they said Katherine handles it and will be back at the end of the month.

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AlaskaGirl77    0

AlaskaGirl77
Posted

I understand about being far away from your dr. (I'm 400 miles from mine~gotta love the military right?)...I'm sorry you have to go through this and I hope you are the first thing she does when she gets back!

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stef123633    1

stef123633
Posted

Ok, here is a secret...I used to work for Humana Military and the nurses that put referrals in would never not have somebody doing that while they were gone. Ask to speak to the manager....I promise you, referrals for your area are getting done by somebody for the next three weeks. You'll get buried in a pile otherwise....

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RestlessMonkey    7

RestlessMonkey
Posted

I hate to say this but I'd go to a different surgeon. Yes it may take a little longer BUT...you need someone WAY more responsive to you. I can't believe they will not initiate ANY new cases until June because someone is on vacation. If true, that's a stinky way to run an office. Do you REALLY want your life in the hands of a crew like that?

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butherflie    0

butherflie
Posted

Hi, im looking into getting the lap band done and was wanting to know can you get pregnant afterward? with the lapband still being in your stomach? this is my first time on the forum and I was looking at your response to this girls thread. thanks

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RestlessMonkey    7

RestlessMonkey
Posted

Hi, im looking into getting the lap band done and was wanting to know can you get pregnant afterward? with the lapband still being in your stomach? this is my first time on the forum and I was looking at your response to this girls thread. thanks

You get pregnant "after" the lap band the same way you'd get pregnant "before" the lap band! :)

Many surgeons ask that you wait at least a year post banding because 1. the point of the band is to cut caloric intake and lose weight and 2. losing weight isn't really what one wants to do when pregnant.

And the band isn't "in" your stomach, it's around the outside of it at the top. If necessary it can be "unfilled" , slightly or totally, so that you can intake sufficient nutrition for you and a baby during pregnancy.

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savannahsmommie    0

savannahsmommie
Posted

So I guess I was pushy enough for my WLS. He had the office contact Katherine at home and she called me this morning. She said that she would personally have someone in the office fax it over this morning and then she would call Tricare herself and verify it was receieved. She said she would call me back once she spke with them. Ha! She called from home and didn't block her number. Better believe if I don't hear from her by three I'm calling her from home!

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savannahsmommie    0

savannahsmommie
Posted

Got my confirmation from Tricare that it was actually submitted this time and they put it as Urgent because of the mix up!! Woo Hoo! Wish me luck!

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AlaskaGirl77    0

AlaskaGirl77
Posted

How awesome! Congratulations on your autherization!!

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      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

        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!

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