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I was a Navy brat growing up and we were stationed in: Bremerton, WA Chula Vista, CA Charleston, SC Idaho Falls, ID Charleston, SC Norfolk, VA Then I married into the Air Force and we have been stationed in: Langley AFB - Hampton, VA Tinker AFB - Midwest City, OK

I have Tricare Prime South and I was approved in about a day. I was banded in March and Tricare did not require an overnight stay. I think that is up to the surgeon, not required by Tricare. They did however call me and want me to have my surgery done at a Center of Excellence, which meant that instead of the Surgery Center my Dr uses for some of his patients I had to go to the hospital which is a Center of Excellence hospital (which was fine w/ me)

Congratulations on getting your surgery date. It will be here before you know it. I had a 10 day pre-op diet, but it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Good luck!

I just recently bought the Biggest Loser Power Sculpt DVD. I really like it. It was only $9.99 at Target.

What a cute pirate you have. I am glad you are doing something about your weight for him. I had surgery in March w/ Dr. Keith in Norman, OK. My husband claims that I "like to tell people like it is" so if you have any questions or anything I would be happy to help you out if I can.

I take one Centrum chewable and one Oscal w/ D chewable.

Hi everyone, My name is Lisa and my husband is active duty Air Force. We are stationed at Tinker AFB in Midwest City, OK. He has been in the Air Force for almost 19 years and we have been married for 5 years. I grew up as a Navy brat, so I have spent most of my live moving around and really enjoy the wonderful people I have been able to meet and places I have been able to see thanks to the military.

This is a great thread. I want to... 1. Have lost at least 100 lbs. 2. Be fit enough to be showing horses again. 3. Be scuba diving again.

I had to do the injections I believe for 10 days after surgery. It really was not too bad. The needles are pretty small and you inject it into your "love handles". I got a instructional dvd and booklet with my shots as well as alcohol swabs and a sharps container for putting the used syringes in. You will do fine, it is worth it!!

I think is is absolutely normal to be nervous. I know that I was both nervous & excited at the same time. It will be worth it!! Who is your surgeon? I was banded by Dr. Keith in Norman and have not regretted it once.

We eat at a Mexican restaurant a couple of times a month. I usually order a chicken burito without the tortilla. I think they give me more filling stuff when I order it without the tortilla then when I used to just order it regular and only eat the insides of the burito. It is very yummy and usually makes 3 or 4 meals for me.

I think it is up to the surgeon whether or not you stay overnight. I have Tricare Prime and did not stay overnight. Tricare did call me before they approved me to request that I have my surgery w/ a Center of Excellence facility, which I did.

I had to do the Lovenox injections after surgery, but only once a day for 2 weeks. It was not too bad. The needles are pretty small and the kit that I got had a booklet and DVD that explained exactly how to use it. Good luck!

I slept for my first 2 nights in the recliner. After that I was still sore, but slept fine in bed. Congratulations on getting banded & good luck!!

My surgery was 3/17 and my first fill was 3cc on 4/23. I have lost 42 pounds and have been feeling great. I have been having a hard time w/ protein since I don't like the protein shakes and just the thought of drinking another one makes me feel nauseous.

Gloucester, Try posting a message about them on AuCaDo website. They have a "rescue" section in their forum and you may be able to find either an Australian Cattle Dog rescue or a private individual to take them. You may have to sign up to post, but it is free. Where did you live in VA (am I correct in guessing Gloucester)? We moved to OK from the Hampton Roads area of VA a couple of years ago. There are definately more strays in OK than from where we lived in VA. I have taken in 5 strays since we moved here and see dogs on the side of the road all the time. The county we live in doesn't even have an animal shelter or animal control, so it is a huge problem. Good luck finding homes & thanks for caring enough to save mama & those precious puppies.

You could tell your current doctor that you have tried other options, done your research and believe that LB is right for you and that if he will not refer you that you will change to a different PCM. Maybe he will take you more seriously and put in the referral. You could also let him know that you need the referral to meet with the surgeon to discuss the procedure and figure out if it is really an option for you. Your PCM doesn't refer you for the actual surgery, he just refers you to the bariatric surgeon, who then puts in the referral for the surgery. If you want LB, I would definately push the issue and do whatever you need to in order to get a referral. Good luck!

Did they give you a reason for why they denied you?

Trell, I have already lost 31 lbs as of today (11 lbs were pre-op diet). I was only sore for about a week after surgery, but nothing too bad. I go in for my first fill in 2 weeks. Good luck on your surgery.

This is your surgery and they should respect what you want. If they have a problem with that, then oh well, they will just have to get over it. Good luck!

Hi, I am Lisa and live in Oklahoma. I am an accountant. My husband is in the Air Force and I have 2 step kids (16 & 13). Also have 7 horses, 6 dogs and a barn cat - can you tell that I love animals?? I was banded on March 17 and have been doing great. Have my first fill scheduled for April 23.

I was banded 3/17 and my surgeon requires the test. I did not even know about it, but it was part of the pre-op blood work that they did. I only found out about it because I tested positive for it and had to take the PrevPac medication. H. pylori can cause peptic ulcers and I guess they don't want to take any chances on us getting them after banding.

My surgeon requires all of his patients to use the spirometer. We have to use it three times a day during our 10 day pre op diet and after surgery every few hours while in the hospital and then 6 times a day for two weeks after surgery. Even though I felt good after surgery, I was amazed at how much harder it was to reach my target on the spirometer than it was before surgery.

My husband took the day of my surgery and the day after off. I ended up feeling so good that he went back to work the day after my surgery.

My PCM put in my referral to a bariatric surgeon for "obesity", then the surgeon's office got the authorization from Tricare for the actual lapband surgery. I have a civilian PCM. I don't know if Tricare requires or just prefers a "Center of Excellence" status, but the surgeon my PCM referred me according to Tricare is not "COE" status and Tricare called me to let me know who in my area is "COE" and my referral was changed to that surgeon. The strange thing is that both surgeons are in the same practice. Good luck.