Just Getting Started ...

HI Everyone....hope all are doing GREAT! Keeping each of you in my prayers as I hope you will keep me in yours as well. Just thought I'd let everyone know what part in the first "baby steps" I have taken. I'm in the process of switching back to Tri-Care Prime. I contacted Dr. Byrne via email and Amanda wrote me back regarding the letter I sent. I inquired regarding the doctors at the Naval Weapon's Station Clinic which might be most inclined to a referral with no problems. If I get a confirmation on a doctor then I'll sign the papers for Tri-Care prime and begin my journey. If I find that no one at that clinic has ever referred anyone then I'm gonna have to pray for divine guidance. As you know there are some doctors who just flat-out don't like the idea of WLS. Just trying to keep a positive attitude and never take "no" for an answer. All of you have been great inspiration to me regarding that. Also if anyone reading this post lives or has lived on the NWS and had one of the physician's at the clinic on base please contact me with a name. Thanks in advance!! Now about navigating this site. Just message board challenged I guess. Anyways do all you gals have your emails listed so we can have one on one contact. If so, where on this site do I find that info? I would like to exchange phone numbers and email addies with you gals. Instant messenger is a great tool also! Hope all have a blessed journey and would love to hear from you. Hugs, Suuz p.s. can we use html codes in our messages?? [email protected]

IF YOU CAN GET A DR TO REFER YOU, TRI CARE PRIME IS ABOUT THE EASIEST INSURANCE TO GET APPROVED FOR WLS!!!!! SORRY, WE HAD CARE AT CAFB & THEN WERE ALLOWED TO GO TO OUR PRIVATE DR BECAUSE THEY JUST HAD TOO MANY PATIENTS AT THE BASE. SO, WE GO TO DR DAVID CASTELLONE (PALMETTO PRIMARY CARE) AT THE SUMMERVILLE OFFICE ACROSS FROM MR K'S PIGGLY WIGGLY. DR CASTELLONE IS DEFINITELY PRO-WLS!!!! IF YOU CAN GET SENT OFF BASE FOR A DR, TRY HIM AS HE ACCEPTS TRI CARE PRIME & IS AN AUTHORIZED DOCTOR. NOT TO WORRY ... THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY IF YOU WANT SOMETHING BAD ENOUGH, MS SUUZ ... DIVINE INTERVENTION IS ABOUT THE BEST YOU CAN GET!!! GO INTO ANYONE'S PROFILE WHERE IT SAYS, "E-MAIL ME" SEND THEM AN E-MAIL & YOU CAN GET THEIR ADDRESS ON THE REPLY BY SINGLE CLICKING THE NAME ... SOMETIMES, THEIR E-MAIL WILL APPEAR ON THE REPLY IF THEY HAVE SET IT UP IN THEIR PROFILE TO BE SEEN. GOD BLESS DAWN & NICK

Ms. Dawn, You are a blessing to so many. Thank you for always answering my posts so quickly. You seem so joy-filled all the time. That must be the Lord working in you ! I've got a couple of questions for you. HOW ARE YOU FEELING? I know you aren't far out from having your surgery so have you had any problems? I'm just asking because you've been so helpful to so many that I don't want to assume because of your gift of bringing so much joy to others that I neglect asking you how you're doing. Your ability to have compassion for all of us and your wealth of knowledge is astounding and I appreciate you more than I have words to express. I look so forward to meeting you. You always have words of encouragement for everyone. You truly must have a heart filled with love. TO THE WONDERFUL WOMEN IN MY CIRCLE When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends. One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man. Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. One friend will say let's pray together, another let's cry together, another let's fight together, another let's walk away together. One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish, another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion, another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings. But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ... those are your best friends. It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it's wrapped up in several... one from 7th grade, one from high school, several from the college years, a couple from old jobs, several from church, on some days your mother, on some days your neighbor, on others your sisters, and on some days your daughters. So whether you have been here 20 minutes or 20 years, know you are appreciated, and I love you. BLESSED ART THOU AMONGST WOMEN ! SUUZ [email protected]

"THANK YOU" DOESN'T SEEM ENOUGH FOR YOUR KIND WORDS. BUT, I DO "THANK YOU", MS SUUZ. I SO ENJOY SHARING INFORMATION WITH MY WLS FRIENDS ... &, HOW COULD I NOT ENCOURAGE OTHERS WHEN I'M SURROUNDED BY THE NICEST PEOPLE RIGHT HERE IN OUR LITTLE COMMUNITY? COME TO JUST ONE OF OUR LCBBuddies MEETINGS, MS SUUZ, & YOU'LL KNOW WHAT I MEAN. TRULY, A BIG PART OF MY HAPPINESS IS THAT I'M MARRIED TO THE MOST WONDERFUL MAN WHO LOVES ME WITHOUT END. THAT PRETTY MUCH PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE EACH DAY! OTHER THAN HIM GOING TO WORK, WE DO EVERYTHING TOGETHER & I CAN FINALLY SAY THAT "THIS" IS HOW A MARRIAGE SHOULD BE. HE'S SUCH A GIFT TO ME! WE BOTH WENT THROUGH VERY DESTRUCTIVE 30 YEAR MARRIAGES/DIVORCES LOSING EVERYTHING IN THOSE BATTLES BEFORE FINDING ONE ANOTHER ... SO, WE VALUE EACH JOYFUL MINUTE WE HAVE AFTER SO MANY HURTFUL & DISAPPOINTING ONES IN OUR "PAST". YES, I LOVE THE LORD, BUT I DO TRY HIS PATIENCE MOST TIMES! I HAVE AN AMAZING STUBBORN STREAK ... GOOD IF GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION; NOT SO GOOD IF I'M OFF TRACK! NICK & I DECIDED FROM THE GET-GO THAT WE HAD TO BE SPIRITUALLY UNIFIED & UNITED TO ONE FAITH IN JESUS. IT'S THE GLUE THAT KEEPS US GOING TOGETHER IN THE SAME DIRECTION & GIVES US STRENGTH IN THE CHALLENGING TIMES. IT ALSO BRINGS US FORGIVENESS TIME & TIME AGAIN SO WE CAN GET BACK UP & TRY AGAIN WITH CONFIDENCE. THANKS FOR ASKING ABOUT ME ... TOMORROW, I'LL BE 12 WEEKS POST-OP & COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH THE RESULTS FROM THIS SURGERY/DIET. IT IS ABSOLUTELY HANDS-DOWN THE EASIEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM I'VE EVER BEEN ON, &&&&& IF YOU STICK TO THE "RULES" & MAKE IT YOUR PERMANENT LIFESTYLE, IT WORKS DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY! I'VE LOST 56.20#s & HAVE GONE FROM 279.80 TO 223.60 HEADING FOR 125 - 118 #s AS MY GOAL. THESE LAST 7 OR 8 WEEKS HAVE BEEN QUITE TRYING AS MY HEART MEDS HAVE HAD TO BE READJUSTED NUMEROUS TIMES. SINCE I'M ON VERY STRONG MEDICATIONS, THE SIDE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN PRETTY BAD, BUT NOW THAT I'M OFF THE WORST ONE (AS OF LAST TUESDAY), I'M REGAINING MY STRENGTH QUICKLY, THANK YOU GOD! SO, HOPEFULLY THIS CHALLENGE IS IN THE PAST & I CAN GET ON WITH AN ACTIVE LIFE! OH MY GOSH, DO I NEED TO DO A LOT OF CATCH-UP HOUSEWORK!!!! NOW THAT I'M FEELING SO MUCH BETTER THAN BEFORE THE SURGERY, I ACTUALLY LOOK FORWARD TO SUCH MUNDANE THINGS AS HOUSEWORK. I WASN'T ABLE TO DO THEM BEFORE. BUT NOW, ALL MY CO-MORBS HAVE COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED ALONG WITH TONS OF MEDICATIONS ... I'M "TOP SHELF"! ALL-IN-ALL, I THINK THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU, MS SUUZ & THANKS AGAIN DAWN & NICK

PS: OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS ... [email protected]

Good Morning Suuz, I just wanted to wish you luck on your journey. I too have Tricare Prime but my care is at CAFB. I didn't have a problem being approved by Tricare once they recieved the paperwork. I beleive that is the biggest challenge most of us faced with Tricare. Hope to meet you soon. Britt