Tricare approved me and I was 40.5 going in. I have lost some weight due to pre-op diet and am now down to 38. I didn't have all of the major co-morbidities that go along with being overweight. I actually thought Tricare would deny me. I do have arthritis in the hands though so don't know if that helped me or not. I have back pain, pain in the weight bearing joints and GERD. My PCM thinks I may have sleep apnea but I have never been tested for it. He actually wanted me to come back next week and see about having a sleep study. I am having surgery on June 25. Overall, I found Tricare to be very easy to work with. I was approved in less than 2 weeks. Good luck and keep me posted!! Angela

Me too! How are you guys doing on the liquid diet thing?? I spent 100 bucks for those shakes at the doctors office and hardly drank any of it. Those things are nasty! So I went and bought slim fast instead..drink two of those (1 for breakfast and 1 for lunch)..then for dinner I have to eat something or I can't sleep...so I eat 1-2 grilled chicken breasts and that's it..nothing extra. Then it's water or SF popsicles in between. Anyone else come up with their own diet for pre-op? Luckily my surgery is scheduled for 7am I'm assuming I'm the first one of the day. I'm so happy that it's finally coming down to a matter of days and not months. I was looking at my clothes in my closet and I found 6 brand new with tags blue jeans folded up...tried them on..HAHA...got as far as my thighs! Hopefully by fall I can enjoy wearing them. I'd like to get out of these sweats and into some cute shorts and some nice outfits...it would be nice to go to walmart or target and buy those 5 dollar tees and what nots and know they have my size! Just think about this..this time next year maybe we all can fit into a bikini...HAHA! =D Well, look for my updates on my profile page when I get home! Good luck pray for me and I'll pray for all of you! =D Take Care! ~Mary~

I'll still get that, and I'm 4-5 years out, something like that, any way one thing could be all the GAS from surgery! they fill us full of it..........lol, I live on prilosec but check with your doctor... as usual...... Kelly

Aloha Rita, I will have my Lap-Ryn on Monday Jun 23, and I appreciate so much your clear and precise discription of your experience. You have helped me to see that many people go through this enormous life changing period, feeling the same as I do right now. I 'm thinking the exact same things ! Is this the right decision; why can't I continue to diet like I'm doing right now and avoid the surgery; what if I never recover from feeling ill concerning food, hernia, etc. etc. Okay I need to stop and get it together. You're a brave woman and I congratulate you on taking control of your like again . Congratulation Again Cheryl

Does anyone know if there are any support groups in the midcoast maine region??? Thanks for the help