LadyBlue31

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I pray success in your journey as well.

I weighted myself this morning and I am down 7 pounds in one week. I posted here a week ago about starting a 90 day challenge of drinking 4 meal replacement shakes and 2 meals for a total of 900-1200 calories. I have started working out again and I feel better. The first 3 days were very hard; my body went through some serious withdrawals. I thought I would have lost more but I'm glad about the weights lose. I may drop my calorie intake some during the first few weeks but I need the carbs to be able to work out so I will check to see how it goes. Update on surgery, I have to go back to see the psychiatrist on Sept. 14 and I will then wait for his report to get to my surgeon. Then I will decide on a date if I choose to go ahead with the sleeve. This 90 day challenge is phase one for my makeover.

Hi, I don't have any experience with them. But I would suggest calling Tricare to see where to start. I know that Tricare will not cover any visits from outside provider if anything goes wrong. You will have to pay out of pocket or travel to a MTF. You might want to make sure your PCM can take your labs when needed. I hope this helps.

Dr. Oz actually promoting surgery. I am very surprised due to the fact he is always promoting natural ways of loosing weight. He should promote the Gastric sleeve.

It has not been a long process at all. I went to the informational meeting on May 24th, one on one appt with the surgeon June 19th. He asked what procedure I wanted and talked about it and I asked questions about how many he has done (100 or more) with no patients with leaks. I knew they would order labs so I fasted the evening before and that morning, so on that visit I did all my labs. He wanted to schedule me for the beginning of August. However I had to see a psychologist off base which I just saw on August 14th with a second visit on the 27th. I will then call general surgery and make an appointment to discuss labs, psycologist results, and sign paper work. The psycologist appt is what has taken so much time. I am not in a hurry so this was fine for me. I am still processing and researching information. I am also doing a 90 day challenge of eating better and exercising. I was told that some patients decided not to do it and some take a year or more to go through with it. I hope this helps you.

Praying all goes well and a quick recovery.

Hello Everyone, I am doing something that I feel I need to do. Today I have started my 90 Day Challenge. I have researched for months and have attempted to do this but always failed. I am going to basics, I guess you can say. I started a plan that I will drink 4 meal replacement shakes (Wonderslim taste great to me) and 2 meals of 300 or less calories. I will be eating 1000 to 1200 calories a day. My eating is so out of control and I need to take away foods and start adding back. I am pre sleeve and I know this will help me prepare for life after the sleeve. Also this is my last attempt to do it on my own. I don't have a date yet for my surgery but I know it is a good idea to loss as much prior to surgery as possible. I am sure that I can have a date sometime in September (Have 1 more psyc visit this month) and then I just have to sign paperwork and set a date. My surgeon was trying to get me in this month but the psyc appointment took 3 weeks before my first visit and another 2 for second visit. During this challenge I will be drinking at least 64 oz of water, taking my vitamins (created what I believe I need), exercising 30-60 minutes at least 5 days a week, finding something fun to do on the other 2 days (play the Wii with my daughter and racquetball), using my fitness pal for food journal, journal my feelings and not eating pass 630 pm. I am using this forum as a way to be accountable. I have noticed that I eat when I am not physically hungry but I am an emotional eater. If I am bored, stressed, lonely, tired, and etc. I am also addicted to carbs. It's like a crack addict has to have a fix. I need carbs so I have to break this addiction in my life. I am saved (born again, spirit filled believer) and I love Jesus and I know Him to be my helper and strength and a mighty deliver. So as I take this journey I invite you to come alone and make one of your own if you like. My dates are August 15- November 12. I have small goals to keep me on track along the way. My focus now is the first 21 days. LadyBlue31 Embracing the Journey

I was very surprised that compared to other insurance providers it was easy to qualify. If you have a certain BMI (45 I believe) even without any other medical issues you qualify. Have you gone to the informational class or even seen the general surgery staff? I thinking researching and actually being on this site and obesity help has really been a blessing during this process.

Hello Jackieo, How far in the process are you? I just had my psyc appointment today and have another one in about a week. Having it done at a military base is different from the process many others go through. I will let you know how things go. I am still researching and am not 100 percent sure I will go through with it. However I know I will get the sleeve if I decide to do WLS.

Hi, I personally think you should not listen to the psychologist. This is a decision you should research and decide for yourself. Plus your other doctors agree that the sleeve would be good for you. I also think that for me, the rerouting of my intestines and dumping and possible vitamin deficiency is too much. I am 5' 1 and 269 pounds ands I also want to have curves. I am thinking my goal is anywhere from 150-175. I pray you have clarity on what you should do.

Hello Everyone, I am currently in the process of considering the sleeve. I have been researching for about 5 months. I have my psyc evaluation tomorrow. I will have my surgery done at a military hospital. There is no cost to me. I have struggled with my weight for at least 10 years. I feel like it is out of control. I really did not realize how bad it was until my PCM suggested WLS. This was a wake call for me. My process has really been quick. It has not taken me long to go through the process. Dr. Comer (I think this is correct) said he could have me scheduled earlier this month. However I had to wait 3 weeks for a psyc evaluation. I am in Mississippi. Let me know if any of you have had your surgery at a military hospital. I will be at Keesler AFB. This website is awesome and I have found so much great information. I am determined to make a change with or without the surgery.