gingersnap

So close...congratulations on your decision I'm sure it has been a long wait! So does MCG have any affiliation with Fort Gordon Military Treatment Facility and their WLS program?

I just sent you an e-mail, thanks so much for offering to answer my questions!

Fort Gordon maybe one of my MTF options and I wanted to know more about your experience. I would love hear more about your surgeon and experience and how you are doing after surgery!

WOW Lissa...I'm not sleeved yet but it is great to know about the acid reducers. Also, is there a difference in bougie size that would make some people more or less hungry?

I think it is perfectly normal to have these feelings, after all it is a BIG DECISION.Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you and you have a lot of people out here pulling for you either way. You are wonderfully and perfectly made.I commend you for seeking counseling it's a great thing to do for yourself. Once your mind is in the right place your body will follow. Hang in there, sending lots of positive thoughts your way. God Bless!

I needed to hear this to help with my own personal fears. If all else fails can I live without a stomach? YES. And they have been doing this for a really, really, long time in different forms and people have lived. Good Post!

I think MTF medical staff are all great and talented people and good at what they do everyday. But what I am looking for in a surgeon is hard to come by in the military. I'm NOT looking for just a talented and skilled general surgeon I'm looking for a surgeon that has done hundreds of VSG's and has dealt with every situation out there and specializes in WLS and in revisions. I want a team of WLS surgery staff dedicated solely to their WLS patients. Revisions carry a higher risk and I was just turned away this morning from an MTF because they don't want revision patients. It is scary enough to deal with surgery let alone have your choice's limited. I don't think I'm alone in thinking that civilian doctors are better options for WLS or there wouldn't be so many people wanting Tricare Prime to approve it. They would all be lining up to get to an MTF. Even my own PCM said that she would rather get the RNY at a civilian clinic than risk getting VSG at an MTF. Let's face it WLS is not typically a military doctor's speciality. It's used as a way to keep their surgical skills sharp or used as a training tool. Yes, if I want this surgery bad enough I may compromise and use an MTF. But I have the perfect surgeon 20 miles away and I can't use him because Tricare will not cover it. I can afford to self pay but I can't afford the risk if their were a complication. There are no do over's and I just need it done right once. Glad to know that you have had great MTF experiences as well as some others in this forum. Who know's maybe I will be delightfully surprised someday!

Well I'm running out of options. MTF's are not willing to work with patients that do not neatly fit into their program. I've contacted the largest programs in the county and none will take out of area patients. Now I'm researching MTF's closer to me. The Naval Base in Jacksonville, 4 hours away will not work with patients that do not live in the area and they do not do revisions. My only two options now are Fort Gordon (146 miles) and Fort Jackson (111miles). I never thought I would say this but GO ARMY! Just waiting to hear back.....not knowing is tough!

Well I just spoke with a nurse named Nassari and she informed me that JAX will not take out of area patients. I'm only 4hours away and I could make it happen if they only cared enough to work with me. So now to work on the next two options of Fort Jackson and Fort Gordon.

WOW...that is awesome news and good information to know. How many VSG's has your surgeon done? Any complaints? Would you have done anything differently? Did the facility seem state of the art? I have a good relationship with my civilian surgeon and I'm terrified of going to an MTF. There are no do over's with this procedure. How are you feeling these days any regrets?

Wow....that is awesome news! I'm not diabetic yet but with two parents with Type 2 I'm sure it will be a factor someday! I'm so happy for you!

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/04/16/weight-loss-surgery-beat-drugs-for-cutting-diabetes-in-very-obese

I just called Wright Patterson, AFB in Ohio and they are not doing any WLS right now. Their primary WLS surgeon is retiring and they do team surgery. So unless you are in the program right now you are out of luck until a new surgeon arrives and there is no ETA as of now.

My stomach has so many stretch marks it's hard to tell which ones are surgery scars. I do have a little extra "poof" between the Band Incision Scar and the Band Removal scar. I plan to have a tummy tuck some day and just hope they will become less noticeable. I think the surgeons main focus is on the placement of their instruments. I personally think they should make the incisions vertically so they really do look like stretch marks. But I'll take the scars any day over being fat.

I'm in search of the best Military Treatment Facilities in the country that do VSG. My own PCM states that she would have Gastric Bypass/RNY at a civilian clinic instead of the Sleeve if that meant going to an MTF. That statement made me very nervous as I have always used civilian care for anything serious. I've gone to Wright Patterson as a child for some minor procedures and that would be convenient since I have family in Ohio. I'm researching the MTF option but I'm not sure where this rabbit hole will take me. I currently live in Charleston, SC but would travel if that meant I would get the very best treatment. This is a decision that can't be undone and it has to be done right the first time, no do over's. I've considered waiting for Tricare to cover the VSG but it may take a few years. As I understand it Tricare will follow Medicare and they are in the process of approval but need more data before they can make a decision. If you look back at the time frame for the LapBand Coverage Medicare started coverage in February of 2006 and Tricare did not announce coverage until January of 2008. THAT'S ALMOST 2 YEARS!!!! I simply can not wait that long!

What did you think of your procedure at Wright Patterson, it has been a while since your post and I hope all is well? I'm checking into to see if it is an option for me as I have family in the area and it would be ideal. But we currently live in Charleston, SC.

At this point you should have had your surgery! How are you doing and recommendations for someone looking into an MTF? I pray you are doing well and reaching your goals!

HeatherF, Congratulations on your weight loss, sounds like you are doing great! I had my band removed in September 2011 and I'm looking at getting the VSG procedure. Since Tricare does not cover it I'm looking into an MTF. Do you have any recommendations and where did you have your surgery done?

Have you considered using an Military Treatment Facility. Those that have WLS will sometimes cover VSG without needing to mess with Tricare. I'm looking into that as my next option.

Thanks for the information reading Self Pay…looks like a great surgeon and a good deal. I'm really trying all my other options before I consider self pay.

Thank you for your efforts and pointing us in the right direction. I am one of those people hoping that other insurance companies will approve the VSG. I think that it is a great surgery option!

Handz of Praize, I'm looking at trying to get a referral for the Sleeve from my PCM at Charleston, SC and I would love to know how you are doing after a year out and what your surgery experience was like at Fort Jackson. I formerly had the band and it was removed due to a serious slip.

So at this point I have started to research MTF's. I live in the Charleston, SC area and looking for an MTF that does the Sleeve. I've heard of one person going to Columbia, SC and having theirs done at Fort Jackson/Moncrief Army Community Hospital and possibly someone using Beaufort. I'm looking for any advice on these two facilities or will by PCM even consider referring me to either. If I can't figure out something soon I may have to resort to Gastric Bypass at MUSC in Charleston. I had a very serious slip with the LapBand and I won't consider doing it again. I really need this surgery ASAP I'm gaining weight like mad and need help!!!

Lizbeth, How did it all turn out? Did you get your surgery?

I must say this is not what I was expecting to hear. Thanks so much for posting this information and please keep us updated on what you find out. I'll keep hoping and praying for coverage. It's a shame that there is a better surgery than gastric bypass but our insurance companies are not willing to support it at this time.