blessedabundant

I hope it goes quickly for you as well. Where are you at? We're at Dyess in Abilene,Texas. Our base hospital, oops I guess it's technically a clinic, is pretty much useless. They don't even have an ultrasound machine, which I think is odd. Oh, I did have to attend a lap band class at my surgeon's office, but that was the day before surgery.

My approval from Tricare was super easy and super quick. I didn't have to attend any bariatric classes. However, our base hospital is technically a "clinic" and they refer off base for everything. The longest wait was between my approval and the actual consult. That was about a month. I had my consult on Oct 28th. They submitted the surgery request to Tricare that day. I was approved on Oct 31st. The dr's office called that day to schedule my surgery, which was on Nov 19th. I am sure that once you get the logistics sorted out, it will be fairly quick.

Are you getting it done in a military hospital? I had mine done with the dr I requested, and he's about 3 hours away. If you are not having the surgery done in a military hospital, it may very well be a wording issue. I know that the first request for a referral for my consult with my surgeon was denied, along with a request for a breathing/lung capacity test. It was a wording issue and when my PCM put it in the second time, it went through. Tricare is picky about the wording and how things are presented. I am sure it's just a minor glitch.

I'm participating in my bible study cookie exchange. I'm making fudge. I'll leave the exchange with 6 each of 9 different Cookies or whatever. I figure that my hubby and 3 boys will take care of them. I also figure I'll probably have a couple. I know that I will not go the rest of my life never eating another cookie again. If I can eat one or two, or even three, that is way better than the whole package I would have eaten pre-band. Of course, I am getting my first fill on the 18th, so restriction probably won't even be a factor. However, my hubby does a good job of reminding me to follow the rules. I appreciate it. :wink:

I was banded the same day as you and I'm still getting tired out easily. I'm on mushies and can start solids in a couple weeks. I have my first fill on the 18th. I also had my gallbladder out and a hiatal hernia fixed, so I figured I migh have a bit more healing to do than the average band patient. :wink: I haven't been getting much exercise, but I can't honestly imagine how I'm supposed to function with this low energy thing. I still have a Protein shake in the morning and then eat high protein for my meals.

I found that wearing the binder that I was given in the hospital made a HUGE difference. I showered in the hospital. Nothing like a 4am shower. LOL Then I was told to shower every day and wash with the soap they gave me. I had staples, but they took them out before they discharged me and put steri strips on. I still have one lingering strip, and I got banded on Nov 19th.

I am new to the board and thought I would introduce myself. I'm looking into the lapband surgery. I just found out that my insurance(TricarePrime) would cover it. I just need to call my dr and get a referral. I am currently living in Abilene Texas. I would love to talk to anyone in the Big Country area. I have done some research on dr's that do lapband in the area, but I need to see what Tricare says. :wink2: I'm looking forward to getting to know you all better.