lovex5

Hi, I'm looking for anyone who had their surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center. I have been jumping through hoops for the past several months trying to get this surgery. I finally thought I was getting somewhere. I called to be scheduled for their next seminar in a couple weeks. They couldn't loacte me in DEERS. So after my husband and I both dealt with that for the past 24hrs we finally got me into their system (I was in the system all along, not sure what happened). So as she was setting up my appointment she asks if I'm at least 100lbs overweight. I told her I am and my bmi. Then she tells me that they don't go by the standard rule of 35bmi plus 2 comorbids or 40bmi with/without comorbids. She states you must have 2 comorbidities and be on meds for them. I have never heard that! Of course I have none of the classic comorbidities except gerd and I take otc's for that not rx. She said the surgeons can make the determination if they'll make an exception or not. This is blowing my mind really. Is this true? I would love to hear from someone who had their surgery at BAMC. I am literally at the point where I want to start pulling my hair out. This "journey" has been nothing but a nightmare. My husband and I joke about it so I don't break down over and over. It's one step forward two steps back every....single....time I think I'm getting somewhere. Sorry to rant and whine but I am so frustrated it's unreal.

Thanks, i have been having thoughts about it not working. It was nice to read this. Congrats!!

I am still confused with the Medicare approval (?) of vsg. I gather that it's a state by state and case by case basis? I am curious now if Tricare will follow. I know some people in the wls world know how long it has take different insurance to approve different surgery types. Does anyone know how far behind Medicare Tricare was for other surgeries? Just trying to get an idea on how long I'll be waiting. If it's only going to be a few months I'll definitely wait to have it done by my civilian bariatric surgeon, otherwise I'll go forward to have it done at an MTF. I'm meeting with my surgeon tomorrow and plan to ask him as well, but I'm anxious for any info.

I just read it, how exciting! Now, come on Tricare!!

Darnall AMC at Fort Hood TX performs vsg. Good luck

I know this is silly but i have a fear of choking or not being able to breathe with the band. Does it ever feel too tight or like it's strangling you? Can you even feel the band at all?

I have not had surgery yet. But i stepped on the scale and saw that i've gained 6lbs since last sunday. Way too much junk and cake celebrating two birthdays last weekend. I'm going back to protein filled breakfast, shake for lunch and small portion of dinner. And tons of water! Aiming for 4 or more zumba sessions this week too. What a great thread, cant wait to read everyone's replies.

I'm hoping to retain enough breast mass to get a lift only and a tummy tuck. Implants will probably be out of the question for me because I have kidney disease and only one kidney. It's all good though, my health comes first and hopefully I can work past body issues.

This is probably obvious but did you check facebook?

That is exactly what I'm afraid of. Loose skin and deflated boobs. My husband loves my breasts. After 3 pregnancies, weight gain/loss, nursing etc they do droop some but like I've told him before, in my head it's not as bad since they are huge right now but when they are droopy AND tiny it may be a different story. lol! Oh well, I'll take that any day over being fat

So this is embarrassing but I ever let my husband look at me when we have sex. I always have a tank top or cami on during the act. Lights are always off too. We have a great sex life aside from that. He has seen me in the shower/changing clothes etc and says he's fine with how I look etc. I still feel self concious. So I'm wondering if that will change after weight loss? When we met I was 232 and that's about where I am now. He's loved me through my highest weight of 282 but I dunno...I just feel so gross and unappealing to have him see me when we have sex. Just wondering if 1. anyone felt this way before weight loss and 2. those feelings went away once goal weight was met.

I hope i'll still be able to have chicken. I really love chicken, we eat it a few times per week. I can handle staying away from bread/rice but the meat thing has me a bit worried!

Does it depend on each person or are there certain foods that most band patients can't have? Could you please list some foods you stay away from? I'm still trying to learn what life after band will be like...thanks!

I dont have my date yet but they told me it'll be july.

Thanks Jean i was hoping you would reply

If you have lost down to below a 35bmi then start having serious issues/complications with your band will they still do a revision on you?

Thanks for the encouragement. Good luck on your fill!

Congratulations! Mine was approved Friday but no one from the bariatric center has contacted me yet. They are all out of the office this week. The only reason I know is because I was stalking my insurance website and saw the approval

I have a question about reflux with hernia. The reflux i get is as follows: chest pain in the center of my chest then i will burp up acid within 10mins. Never fails. I have lost about 25 on my own and thought with that and diet change my symptoms would ease. Nope. My heart is fine, it's reflux. I've never heard anyone else with the chest pain followed up in 10mins with acid burp and my pcp commented they may find a hernia on me. Just curious!

That is great! The youngest son (corey?) from pawn stars had it too. In the newer episodes he looks awesome, he's lost a lot of weight!

I had a nephrectomy 2 years ago. I was actually pregnant and it was a really high risk surgery. Two days before surgery i developed strep throat. They put me on antibiotics immediately. The day of surgery the anesthesiologist did not want to tube me. My urologist and vascular surgeon fought it over with him and in the end he agreed to go forward. I think it depends on the surgeons, anesthesiologists, illness and type of surgery. Best of luck to you!

I'll say a prayer. Hang in there. Insurance approved my surgery friday and it's like it isnt real or something. Just not sure anymore. I have the same pro/con list as you. Best of luck to you!!!

This is where i am stuck. I had my pcp submit the referral which Tricare denied due to...yup, mtf being "full" despite them telling me no they aren't full and they are taking new patients. My next step is to hopefully go to patient advocacy on post and see if they can assist at all. I hope Tricare can release a copy of the refferal request because my dr's office is surely tired of me bothering them about this. The first time it was submitted it was done incorrectly with info left off. I tried to get it corrected by 3 different people then finally had to call the office manager to complain. She took care of it right away but I hate bothering them time and time again about this. Especially because most people don't understand the headache that is having this surgery done if you have a *gasp* civilian pcp. I tried to locate this benefits mgmt office here on post but so far no luck. Do you know what other names they may go by?

Thank ya'll for the suggestions and advice. I recalculated my bmi it's actually 43.2. I thought it was lower. I figured it out and I can lose 17lbs and be at a 40 bmi. So before the seminar, which is in 3 months, I can lose that 17lbs have my initial weight be good. Those who have had it at an MTF did they use your seminar weight or your first visit weight? I had started the process at a civ hospital and they took my weight at my first visit.

Hello everybody. So, the hospital I'm trying to go to isnt having another seminar until late summer. On top of that I'll likely be having surgery at a military hospital which I've been told can be wait list for 6-9mo. So it may be a full year before I can have surgery. I feel trapped. I don't want to just remain this weight for another year but I am worried if I lose too much I wont qualify. I dont have comorbidities and I'm a 41 bmi. My insurance requires I be 40+ without comorbids. So to those who had to wait, what did you do in the meantime?