Pam72

Just wanted to introduce myself. I was banded 12/27 and tomorrow will make 4 weeks since then. As of today, I'm down 17 lbs from the weigh in the morning of surgery. I had the iLap procedure (with stomach plication). My co-workers and most of my family have been very supportive (with the exception of my mother in law).
What I have come to realize is that a positive mental attitude is key. I've changed my entire outlook on eating. Not as a thing to socialize at, or do when bored, but as something to provide nutrients for my body. I may have gone a bit overboard, but I now eat organic as much as possible and make sure I have my daily vitamins and protein.
I'm working out 4-5 times a week starting off slow and building up. No one can go in from being a couch potato and expect to get on the treadmill for an hour. I started with 20 minutes have worked out up 30 and added weights to help tone up.
Any other workout suggestions would be great. I'm so glad to have found a place with others in my situation.

Thanks everyone. My first appointment is with my PCM in the morning and I am super nervous and excited. I really hope eveything works out. I am ready to do this. I'll follow up once I get some answers.

Hi CeCe, I am a dependent of miltary retired here in San Antonio and I am going to BAMC (or whatever the heck they've renamed it to) and we have several people from Ft Hood who are working through the approval process for WLS surgery. I don't know if that might be an option for you. The process was very easy for me to get a referal, since my PCM is at BAMC, I asked about the surgery and she put the referal right in no questions asked. I originally saw her in September and am now done with all the pre-op stuff. I will meet with the surgeron on 13 Jan to schedule a surgery date.

Hi CeCe! Congrats on your decision to take control! I was recently approved through Tricare for the lap band. It was not a long process at all. My PCM sent in a referal for the bariatric doctor of my choice and then they sent in the request for approval and it took just 3 days to be approved! There is some confusion at the moment as to whether or not a Tricare patient has to undergo 6 months of doctor monitored dieting, but mine went through without having to do that. I wish you the best of luck!

Hi!
I am new to this forum and I want to introduce myself first.
My name is CeCe. My current BMI is 41, I am 28, 5'3'' with a child and a husband. I am former military and have done every diet, excercise plan, diet pill, diet program that one person can do. At my best I can lose about 20-30lbs only to gain 40-60lbs back. I have been overweight all of my life, but have been obese for the past three. Since I had my daughter, I have had the hardest time even maintaing my current weight. I have done all kinds of nutrition classes and read a lot books, I hired a personal trainier (nearly $500 a month) and only managed to shave off a few measley pounds. Not enough to even make a dent in my BMI. Im at my witts end. I have talked to my PCM's in the past, but becasue I was on active duty at the time thier hands were tied. Now that I am out, I am ready to ask for a refferal because I can't live like this anymore. I am willing to put in the work but I need some serious help. I am tired of feeling like a prisoner in this "fat suit" I'm tired of trying to lose weight the right way only to be slapped in the face by the scale. And I am sick and tired of wasting my hard earned money on empty promises of weight loss products, books, and eqipment.
Now that I got that out of the way
I would like to know if anyone has had any expierence with getting a refferal from thier PCM for Tricare? Was it a long process? Was it difficult? Where you in FT Hood? Any hidden fees associated? Did the procedure happen on post? Was thier a long waitlist if any? Anything a potential bander should know?
I am just trying to get a better understanding of the process in order to know what to expect.
Thanks in advance!
CeCe

I had hard time with over sweet also. I cut special k powders down with water. I couldn't tolerate powder protein drinks at first. Clear liquids under my Dr included protein drinks so I drank pre package kind.

Welcome, and congratulations!!
Just remember that his is just the first phase......healing and getting you healthy, strong, and back to normal, BEFORE you start your weight loss journey.

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I just got my lap band on Friday, 1/21/12. I had the SILS procedure and stayed overnight in hospital. Looking forward to discussing lots of things on this site with everyone. I'm having a hard time with the clear liquid diet as the clear Isopure protein drinks are a bit sweet. I've been cutting them with water so it's not too sweet. I just know that this is the really hard part and hopefully each week will get better once I can have more and more. Saturday I can start with protein shakes and full liquid, yay!

Congratulations! This is the best support site, I am so glad I found it! I am working through the same things banded on 1/19. Did you have the gas pains post-op. Mine still aren't gone yet!

I get the protein powders starting Sat. for week 2. I had them before surgery and loved them with some peanut butter blended in, I hope I can tolerate them now. I had researched this and kind of knew it, but NOTHING but water tastes good to me right now. The gas is still here journey4me. The gas pain from the lap surgery settled in my left shoulder blade and is painful, today it's in my left side of my neck and chest. I can't wait for that to go away. I have no pain from the incision or anything, just gas. My stomach rumbles non-stop. I've also had diarrhea today but I think that's from overdoing it on the liquid protein yesterday. My dr. recommends 50 g per day, yesterday I did close to 80. Today I did only 50 so we will see what tomorrow brings. I called the nurse and she said not to worry yet. I'm doing good with fluid according to her. I know this will probably be my toughest week since it's the beginning. I am really looking forward to the protein shakes and hope I can tolerate them rather than this Isopure or bullets, blech!