Cadets71

You guys are great! Your detailed descritptions were so clear. I am much less anxious now. Thak you so much! Mary:smile2:

I don't see much mention of any pain or discomfort with having fills. I am curious how they find the port, and if the needle hurts when they put it in. Also, how do they know they injected into the port and not your belly...especially if they are not using a flouroscope. Thanks for your input. Mary :thumbup:

Michelle and Carole, Do either of you have Tricare for your insurance? How long did it take to get your evaluation appt from the time you attended the seminar? Thanks!! Mary

Wish I could help you with a surgeon who will do fills. Unfortuantely, I am trying to find a surgeon that I can trust to do the surgery in the first place. I think I have - Dr. Teng. Don't know if he takes patients from other doctors. Mary

Jen, I would do two things: (1) ask Dr. Teng for a referral in the place you move to and, or (2) call TriWest and ask for assistance. If you move out of the West, you'll be using Human or HealthNet (South and North, respectively). Does seem to be a problem. Thanks for the info on Dr. Teng. Stay in touch!! Mary

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Teng or Dr. Atkinson in Las Vegas? I am thinking about going out of state unless I can find some references. Thanks, Mary

VegasJen, I was very happy when I read your post about Dr. Teng and Tricare approval. I am also covered by Tricare and I thought the Surgical Weight Control Center of Nevada was the only Tricare provider. I have some issues with their practice and their approach to lap banding. So, Dr. Teng is a viable alternative. Can you give me some specifics? Thanks, Mary (in Henderson):wub:

Tricare does not require that you be on a diet plan for any amount of time. Their approval criteria are weight, BMI and sometimes the presence of co-morbidities (hypertension, High cholesterol, diabetes, etc). If your BMI is <40 or if you need to lose <100 lb, then they also want to see a co-morbity. You can see the requirements on the Triwest.com website and you can call and talk to their authorization staff. Mary:shades_smile:

Thanks for your thoughts! I appreciate the sentiment on our stomachs - and I have the same sense - it's a little scary to think about cutting up your stomach! I have finished my Dr. research and now am down to making the final decision on the procedure. Thakfully, there are some excellent bariatric physicians and programs in Las Vegas! Mary

I am new to this site. Tonight I am attending my first lap band seminar. I have also given some consideration to the mini gastric bypass. Still uncertain which would be better for me. I am 59 y.o., 5'4" and weigh 250 lbs. Feel very overwhelmed by my weight and I am pretty much at the point where I am ready to take the surgical risks. Has anyone else gone through the decision process of mini gastric bypass versus lap band? What factors convinced you to do one or the other? Mary