hittpants11

I joined this forum back over a year and a half ago because I was seriously considering getting banded. Did my research, googled the crap out of it, and after getting the green light from my husband - I made my decision. Called Tricare (I have Tricare Prime) and they told me what I need to do to get it approved. Can I tell you how crazy excited I was to find that not only do they cover LapBand surgery, there is a good chance that I will pay NOTHING. Wait....WHAT....like zero dollars??.. ..is this real life!??!?!???! About a month later, we went home to Austin (hubby was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at the time) for Thanksgiving vacay. I was going to call and schedule Dr appointments and get the ball rolling after the new year (2012). BUT the universe had other plans. On Jan 11th 2012 (our 1 year wedding anniversary , we found out I was pregnant. :D So here I am now in SE Georgia, husband is deployed, with a six month old. Had gestational diabetes during my last trimester and was on a diabetic diet until my son was born. I gained about 35 pounds during my pregnancy and was able to shed 15. I know I probably was smaller than that a few weeks after but I have been steadily gaining now hovering anywhere in between 259 -264. Aside from the day I gave birth, this is the largest I have ever been. Of course I like the idea of not being plus size and lookin all thin and stuff but my health is the now the driving force behind me deciding to actually do this. I am so scared of getting full blown diabetes. Because I had gestational I have like a million percent chance of getting it if I don't lose the weight. My most recent weight loss venture has been weight watchers. I could see how a person could have success with it but it's just not working for me. Oh yeah, did I mention my sister is a licensed personal trainer/nutritionist/crossfit instructor? And a ex-boxer? She is almost 100% lean muscle and is in NO WAY supportive of this. I told her last time back before I got pregnant that I was considering it and she flipped out. Told me that I don't need that and that it's a lazy person's answer to a life long problem. Whatever skinny butt! Go off now and eat your paleo crap burgers. That being said, I love my sister dearly and appreciate her concerns but it's my life and my decision. I've always been the type of chick who threw caution to the wind and just went with it. Some would call me brave. I don't think I'm as brave as I used to be. Funny how a husband and kid change things like that. I think twice now before I do or say anything. Especially, since my hubbers is in the Navy. Can't let my mouth go an get me in trouble. I have my very first appointment on Monday with my PCM to get a referral to a bariatric surgeon in the SE Georgia or Jacksonville area. I am still breastfeeding and really want to continue breastfeeding as long as possible up to 1 year old. But I can't imagine picking up my son and hoisting him up to nurse after surgery. YIKES!

Yeah I have been noticing that most people complete the process anywhere from 1&1/2 to 4 months. Hopefully that will be what happens in my case. My husband and I are scheduled to go on leave on November 3rd back to Texas to see our families for a month. I really wanted to have it done before I go. Is it crazy to do that?

I was just wondering how long it takes to get everything done...from first doctors appointment until the actual surgery. I have my first appointment on Sept 1st and have Tricare Prime. Is it possible it get all of it completed in 2 months?

From what I understand, drinking wine every now and again is okay. It the carbonated drinks (beer, mixers, ect) they want you to stay away from.

Do you HAVE to quit smoking once you get a LapBand?

When I called Tricare customer service I talked to a really nice lady named Alisha. She laid it all out for me. Tricare Standard does not cover nutrition/psych counseling and you will be responsible for 15 to 20 percent of the surgery. That is not what I wanted to hear. She went on to tell me that if I enrolled in Tricare Prime, everything is paid for. The surgery and the fills after surgery. It does not cost anything to upgrade. All you have to do is go down to the on base clinic and get a Prime application and a PCM change form. Fill it out and turn it back in. I just turned mine in yesterday to upgrade to Prime. It will take effect on September 1st. Im calling tomorrow to make my first doctors appointment in almost 4 years. YIKES!

Wow! Thanks for this info. I really appreciate it! Way to go on the weight loss!

I really want this surgery. I have not been to a doctor in almost 4 years because I USED TO have a phobia about it. Pretty sure I have got over that. So I am about 105 lbs overweight. It makes everything harder. I don't know if I have any pre-existing conditions (high blood pressure/high cholesterol). I have not called to make an appointment yet - I just upgraded from TriCare standard to Prime. I am very nervous about getting approved. From what I have read on these forums - some sort of "medical paper trail" is necessary. I don't have that. Does anyone out there have a experience with this?

My name is Tina and today is the day I put plans into motion to get Lap Band surgery. I am super STOKED!!!