Navywif99

I have had the same concern. We are Navy and will be leaving our current location for another in Dec. My concern is...Ive read on this site that a lot of surgeons don't or won't fill patients that were banded by another Dr. so then what? We are staying state side and will be moving to a not so populated area away from a base so what do I do? This is why I was considering the gastric sleeve because there isnt maintenance like the band has but Tricare won't pay for it unless there is a base near you that does it from what I understand. Not sure I really want surgery on a military base. Lots of bad press on that....

Thanks for all the info. I had my Dr's appointment for my referal today and it went great. The doc just verified that I actually qualify per Tricare's rules and I do and so he refered me and that was that. Guess I got lucky and didn't have to do all the extra visits. I wish Tricare paid for the gastric sleeve I might have chose that over the band since I am moving in Dec and I have learned from this website that it will be difficult to find a doc to do my fills since a lot dont like to do fills on patients they didnt put the band in themselves. Oh well....meet with my surgeon on Wed. hope everything else falls into place just as easily...

I have PCOS and just want to reassure you about children. I have insulin resistance as well and I have 2 beautiful boys one almost 9 an the other 19 months. I won't kid you it was really difficult to get pregnant each time and took a lot of visits with my fertility Dr but we never gave up and now we have these 2 wonderful boys. With that said it will help you tremendously if you lose the weight before you even try cause most infertility Dr.'s will want you to loose weight before having any of the procedures done so that you have the best possible outcome. Hope this helps.

Ok Im already freaking out!!! 4 appts just to get the refferal...what where the appts for? Are you at Fort Leavenworth? I have my appt on Monday for a referral but I didn't know anything about all these extra appointments as I have my consult meeting with my surgeon on Wednesday next week an don't think I have enough time to do that many appts. I do have a BMI of 42 but I dont have any comorbities. I do have sore joints and PCOS with insulin resistance but those arent comorbities unfortunately. What I can tell you is that I have seen many people get approved on this site that didnt have comorbities some were denied the first time and sometimes even twice but they apealed and got approved so you might have to do that as I might as well.Have you been to a seminar yet? Do you have a surgeon consult scheduled?

I would try an find a Dr. that takes your insurance or call your insurance an see if they even have bariatric surgery coverage an if they do ask for a list of Dr.s that are covered. There are a few loans out there as well. Surgery Loans an care credit I think those are the names. You might consider the gastric sleeve if your not into doing the lap band maintenace. Good Luck!

Is your Dr. Stephen Malley?

I just did the seminar on Saturday. When I arrived they took my insurance and ID and gave me some reading material. The first person that spoke to us was telling us about insurance and self pay and how that works and what to expect during the process of getting to surgery. Then the Dr. came in and spoke about the band and the gastric sleeve the 2 WLS that they do. Lots of info on what being overweight does to your body and how it benefits you to lose the weight. They even passed around a actual lapband so you could feel and see what will be put inside you if you choose to have the surgery. They answered any and all questions.If you wanted a consultation you could sign up before leaving. Thats about it. The hardest part for me was just having the courage to walk in the building. I felt so much more at ease after I went.

Thanks for the info I was able to look up my surgeon under his name an he is a provider! Jackpot!!!! I will definitly sign up so I can track my refferals. Thanks for the help hope they approve me.

Welcome! Im new here too and have really enjoyed looking at an reading all the post. It has helped me learn more than I ever could by just going to a seminar which most of us have to do. Im anxious to get my life back as well. I have not been over weight my whole life and in my mind Im still the skinny girl I used to be before I had children but physically Im obviously not. I also struggle with PCOS as do alot of women and it is so ridiculously hard to lose weight and sometimes I feel like its gods cruel joke but I know what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger. Best Wishs to you!

From what I have read on this site self payers seem to get to banding very quickly cause they dont have to do all the extras that insurance requires. I have my seminar on the 23 hope things move quickly for me after that especially with insurance. Good luck to you.

Anyone adding aditional Fiber supplements to stave off hunger? I wonder if this would help?

I have Tricare Prime and Im in the west region. I just called them to find out what providers are qualified and they had nothing. I was transfered to another person they couldn't find a a Dr. either. Im in Ft. Leavenworth, KS anyone had this problem? I just wanted to do research on the Dr.'s in this area that Tricare covers so when I see my PCM I will have a say in who I go to. Suggestions?

I love it but I have to dilute it. Usually 1/2 cup CL to 1/2 cup of water. The only issue I have is if I have a lot in one day I get really bad heartburn that has to be the artificial sweetner right?

Im going to the seminar on the 23rd of this month. How long did it take you to get to the point of surgery after you did the seminar? Ive seen some take a year, six months and as little as 2 months. Im also concerned about my insurance I have Tricare Prime and Im a 100lbs over weight but dont have a comorbity other than insulin resistance due to PCOS. You dont by chance have Tricare?

Has any one used Dr.Malley in Kansas City or the New Hope Bariatric Center? Looking for any and all information. Thanks

Im just in the begining stages of considering Lap Band Surgery. I have Tricare West Insurance and wanted to get some information on the process to get approval. Do I need to see my PCM for a referral? Is Triwest quick or slow to approve? Any information is helpful. Seminar is on April 23 with Dr. Malley in Kansas City