gina s.

Hi everyone! I'm glad that everyone seems to be doing so well. I haven't posted in a while but I do get on here and browse around from time to time to keep up with everyone. I don't know why but it seems like I've been really busy since my daughter started school. She's my only child so I thought that I'd have tons of extra time on my hands but I feel like I never have enough! But that's good, less time to think about food! I'm still losing weight, slowly but surely. I haven't really gotten stuck yet, I have stayed the same weight for a week or two but it is always because I've slacked on eating right and exercising. As long as I do those two things, the pounds come off. My long term goal was 100 lbs. by the one year mark, and I'm over halfway there. I think I might make it, but I know that I'm going to have to step up the exercising soon if I'm going to get there. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and kind of check in. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

You should have no problem getting approved if you are 100 lbs overweight according to the metlife table. Tricare could care less what your BMI is..my surgeon's office had a long discussion with a Tricare prime representative about it.

That's what I was told also....BMI doesn't matter. It's strictly case by case as long as you have the 100 extra pounds and a health problem that will be improved by loosing weight.

Hi! I'm happy to see that everyone is doing well. I had a check-up and another fill today. I've lost 40 lbs. and received an additional .25 cc to make a total of 5.75 cc's. I get to go back for another in two weeks, and I already know I'm going to need it! I still feel hungry alot. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great week!!!

I only had 1 comorbid and was approved back in June.

I only had one, and I also got approved and had surgery in June. Through the whole process no one ever told me that I needed more than one.

I went on their website and got the number as well as the next seminar date...all ready alerted my PCP too, just in case. Then I called S&W directly and got Dr. Symmonds' direct office line for my doc as well. So I SHOULD be set...I hope. Thanks for looking out for me Gina, I appreciate it!! If I have any other questions, I know who to come too (I know you're saying..."oh No!" lol).

I don't mind one bit! You can pm me anytime you have a question! And don't forget to keep us updated!

So now here's my question for all of you who went through Scott and White...how did you start? Was there a seminar you went to? If so can someone let me know a number or something I could call? I'd appreciate it a lot!

Here's the number if you haven't already gotten it: (254) 724-2397. They should be able to tell you what you need to do next.

My PCP is with the Family's Clinic in Copperas Cove. And to be honest, the main reason I chose Scott and White was so I wouldn't have to drive so far. And I can say that I did and continue to recieve great care.

Hi! I hope everything goes well for you!

The bariatric program where I go is also listed as a center of excellence. I didn't have to do any additional testing. In fact, all I had to do was a psych eval, EKG, and lab work.

My doctor automatically referred me to Austin--an hour away. How often will we be getting fills? Won't that be hard on me with gas??

I don't know about at SW, but at Scott and White I go for fills every two-three weeks. I don't know why your doctor automatically referred you there, mine gave me three choices: I could go to San Antonio and have it done on base, I could go to SW in Austin, or I could go to Scott and White in Temple.

Proudestmom, you could go ahead and start scheduling your psych eval. If you are going through Scott and White, they recommend using the Chupik Counseling Center. There is an office here in Killeen, you can self-refer. All I did was call them and explain that I needed a psych eval for WLS, and they took care of getting the insurance approved and everything. Let me know if you want their number, good luck!

Fort Hood also!! Ahhhh is this going to be as hard as I think it is??

Thanks

Venus

I hope you don't have a hard time. For me, everything was extremely easy except for the time spent waiting between appointments.

Mine was the other way around....I got approved only for the consult, after the consult the surgeon's office sent in the info to Tricare to get approval for the surgery.

I have Tricare Prime South too, and I went to Scott and White. I haven't had to pay a co-pay for anything.

I had to take those also, it's just a blood clot preventative.

Breanna, I don't think you will have any problems. I am 5'7.5'' and the weight they sent in to Tricare was 243. I did have a co-morbidity though. But to answer your question, no one ever measured my wrists or seemed to show any concern about my frame size whatsoever.

ArmyWife, I totally agree with leelee, I was very happy with the whole process at Scott and White. I did have to wait a little, but I thought the wait was more than worth it to not have to drive to Austin every two weeks. Plus, the nurse who does the fills is great and she really cares about how we are doing, and she's had her own band for two years so she really knows what we're going through.

Did tri Care cover all of the appointments such as the sleep study and the Phsy eval as well?

I only had the psych evaluation to do on my own, and Tricare paid for that. I didn't have to do a sleep study, and all of my pre-op testing was done by the hospital where I had my surgery (I went to a civilian hospital). All I had to pay was a $25 co-pay for the hospital stay. But it seems different for some people so I can only tell you what I paid, I'm not sure about everyone else.

Congratulations!!!

"Lap-Band For Life" by Ariel Ortiz Lagardere is the one that was recommended to me.

Well, I've lost 33lbs. which is one-third of my goal weight, so all I have to do is repeat two times and I will be there!!! I still don't have much restriction though, I had that total unfill a few weeks ago and didn't get much back with my first re-fill. I get another fill in a week, and I really need it! Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well and I can't wait to see where we are after the next three months (December, uh-ohh!!)!.

I didn't have to do much. I got the referral from my primary doctor to see the surgeon and from there on out the only things I had to do were what the surgeon required. I had to go to a seminar and get a psych eval done, and then at my initial consult I had a meeting with a dietician, nurse practitioner (for family history and to determine if I needed additional testing before surgery), the surgeon, and the business office (for insurance info). Then I had to go to one support group meeting and wait for them to get the surgery approved. Once the surgery was approved, I had a pre-op appointment that included bloodwork and an EKG. And then I did my pre-op diet and had the surgery.

But not everyone has to do the same things, it depends on the doctor. I know some of them require seeing a nutritionist every week, or sleep studies, or other tests if you have had health problems. Another difference is whether you get the surgery on post or by a civilian. I really had a pretty easy time, I hope you do also.

Yay! Robin is right, the time will fly by....that's only 2 and 1/2 months!

I forgot about this, but last week I was able to start wearing my size sixteen clothes again! And they fit perfectly, they weren't even tight! I tried some fourteens on too, and could get them on but not buttoned or zipped....but I'm getting close!

Thanks Greyhoundmom and Judy! My surgeon said sometimes your stomach will swell more than usual after a fill and cause you to not be able to get anything through. He said it was no big deal, it happens. And he also told me that it didn't neccessarily mean that my band was too tight, I might be able to hold that much if my stomach doesn't swell much. I know that at 5cc's, I need more fills. At my next appointment they are going to give me .5 and see how I do on that.

I got my first "refill" today, the doc put 5cc's back in which I didn't expect since I had to have a total unfill last week when 6cc's were too much. But I seem to be doing fine so far, plus I had lost three pounds in a week with an empty band, which makes my total 33.....I'm a third of the way to where I want to be!! That made my day!!