Katies

I started keeping my surgery very private only telling my husband then a very good friend of mine. After seeing the surgeon for my consult I told my 2 sons and another friend. My mother noticed I was going to alot of Dr appointments so I finally broke down and told her so she wouldn't worry. Then the co-workers noticed my appointments so I broke it to them. By that point, I just got tired of going through the story over and over again until I got my surgery date. My mother surprisingly didn't tell any of my brothers and sisters but asked me if I minded, I told her fine but if they had anything negative to say, I did not want to hear it. Finally, my clients, I love them, always trying to stuff cookies and candy in me. I am on my preop diet (doing great btw...lost 11 lbs in 7 days!) and they kept trying to offer me cookies and chocolate so I finally just told them. I'm very surprised with all the reactions I received. I thought for sure some would be totally against it but every single person I have been told has been really wonderful. Depending on how you look at it, now that just about EVERYBODY in the free world knows what i'm doing on monday, I have a ton of people to help and keep me on the right track.

Hi, fellow June Bandsters! I'm Kathy, 41, from Northern VA. My Dh and I will be married 21 years this July. We have 2 awesome teenage boys. I do accounting for a CPA firm. My Dh is currently active duty and we are looking to retire in the next 5 years or so. I am so excited to get started losing. My family is wonderful, my job is great, my weight not so much. I can't wait to start living life to its fullest again!!!

Just got my date today. You can put me down for June 9th. Guess that will be some birthday present for me!!! My birthday is 6 days later. I can't believe how many are going in June.

Dr called today and said he has June 9 available. I told him that was good for me now I just wait for the confirmation. I'm excited to start but really nervous too!

I'd like to hear how you're progressing along. I'm in VA and I think I timed the opening at Walter Reed just right. Feel free to go to the group there at Walter Reed when ever you want. They are really great and its not just for Walter Reed patients. They welcome everyone. They have a monthly meeting that has either the nutritionist, exercise therapist, surgeon or psych drs go to for Q & A and family is welcome. Then they also have weekly meetings to discuss more personal issues and no one other than the patients are to attend.

Sorry, I didn't get back with you, I just saw your posting today. I hope your appointment went well. I'm kind of surprised they are taking you at Bethesda. I was told they were only taking active duty. I'm still trucking along with my appointments. I'm about half way through now. I have a nutritionist, support group, psych eval and sleep study left and i'm done, hopefully. I don't know if they told you at Bethesda but there is a support group that meets the 2nd thursday of each month at Walter Reed. I went to my first meeting this week and they were all very nice and welcoming.

I guess I was expecting too much from them, she went over post-surgery diet but kept talking about bypass surgery and well you won't have this issue if you get lap band. I know I kept stressing that I wasn't having bypass but I don't think she listened. I really don't think she even wanted to deal with me much since the other nutritionist is the one I was supposed to see. The other one does primarily bypass and lap band patients. Oh well, I'll do my second appointment with them basically because I have to so I can have the surgery and then move on from there. I can't wait for the psych eval, that should be a hoot!

I went for my first appointment with the nutritionist yesterday and quite frankly thought it was a big waste of my time. I don't think I left there with any new info, a food plan or anything. Basically, she said start eating smaller portions, like if I have a whole bagel for breakfast, only have 3/4 instead. She didn't give me any eating plan at all. I guess I thought she would have something else to offer me but nothing. Is this how everyone's appointment went? I have to schedule a visit in a month and i'm not sure what she expects to find since she didn't even tell me to quit eating junk.

No offense taken, I takes much more than that, lol. I knew what you meant all along. I was just thinking he was a little crazy and was totally shocked he threw that number at me. Who knows, it could've been some crazy motivational tactic he uses. Gives you a low number, tells you most people lose 65% of the excess weight and you end up where you wanted all along. Or maybe he's just really hard core. Either way, I'm ready to get this show on the road.

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't really thinking about not "going all the way" or going "3/4 of the way". My concern was based solely in setting unrealistic goals and the feeling that would come from never reaching a goal that was unrealistic to begin with. The Dr did nothing to see what my frame type was other than just look at me and really how can he tell that when i'm so overweight anyway. I recall being 150 in my very early 20's and being happy there. I think I was a size 10/12. So I thought 160/170 at 40 would be a good place to start. If I can get to 150 or 140 all the better. I just don't want to start being set up to fail or get discouraged.

I went to see the surgeon last week and in our discussion he told me he calculated my ideal weight to be 129lbs. I can't even remember the last time I was 129, I was probably 10. I'm 5' 7" and definately do not have a small frame. Has anyone else's surgeon told you that you should be much lighter than you wanted to be. I was thinking 160/170 would be great!

Ok, so I met the surgeon at Walter Reed. Seems like a pretty straight forward, stand up kind of guy. I don't think he'll pull many punches with me which is good, I tend to need that type. From what I understand they only take 2 new patients a week. It's about a 3 month process, I made my appointments for psych eval, nutritionist, exercise therapy and sleep study. I'm trying to be pro-active here so it doesn't become a 6 month process. Good news, I don't have to deal with Tricare for anything other than the sleep study and also, since i'm doing the band surgery there, they will give me referral to the plastic surgeon for the tummy tuck and such afterward.

I thought they were going to refer me to a civilian but apparently they are taking appointments. They scheduled me with the surgeon for March 11.

Has anyone been banded at an MTF? I've been referred to Walter Reed Hospital and am looking to find any information on their proceedures/requirements.

I have Tri-Care but was referred to MTF, Walter Reed Hospital. I have an appointment with the surgeon on the 11th, I have no idea what they will require of me. Has anybody had Lap Band done at an MTF?

Can I ask which post? I am Tricare North and my PCM just submitted my referral. Apparently it go to Bethesda first and they can refuse to treat me and give me a referral to civilian doctors.

Hi all! I've just started this whole process. I have my referral appointment tomorrow. Just wanted to say this forum has really started easing my fears. You are all an inspiration!

I've been poking around these forums recently and have just started this whole process. Infact, my appointment with my PCM for a referral is tomorrow. Anyway, I've been ready how supportive and caring you all are to each other and just want to tell you guys, You're all my Heroes!!! What a wonderful community you have here!