Divamom

It's really good to hear the full in's and out's of what to expect. Even the few negatives, but those are bound to happen nausea etc. I personally don't know anyone that has had the durgery so it's really good to hear your experience. Keep us updated on how you're doing. I'm due for surgery on June 16th and I can't wait. Thanks again, Leah:biggrin:

:lol:If you check the dates on the denials, they were back in 06 and 07. Lap Band is a covered procedure now. I again went through the process of a psych eval, nutrition and all the other things and I am now approved for surgery on June 16th. It took Tricare awhile but things are gong smooth now. But what was so frustrating back in 2006 was they allowed you to go through all the motions and all the money out by Tricare to get up to surgery time then to just deny you. Why even let us do all that? Talk about a WASTE of insurance money. Leah

Yeah, after over 2 years of waiting for Tricare to approve Lap Band. I'm finally on my way. I have a family appt. with Dr. Koura on June 5th and my surgery date is JUNE 16th. I'm so excited I can't stand it. Take Care Everyone. Soon to be in a bandster, Leah:lol::sad::blushing:

I'm so excited Triwest has approved my surgery. I did all the tests ahead of time on Travis AFB, psych eval and everything. So all I was waiting on was Tricare to come through for me and they finally did. 2 years ago I was a week out from surgery and they denined me of course because it wasn't an approved surgery. But now all I have to do is call my civilian Doc on Monday and schedule. I almost can't believe it's finally going to happen. I'm also happy for all you others out there getting approved. Take Care

I saw my PCM one day and I was approved by Tricare west the very next day. It is now a covered surgery if you are 100lbs over your ideal weight for height and weight and bone structure and their weight is associated with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates. This is taked directly from the tricare manual. I am 296lbs, 5'7. I( have type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension. So you need to have a good dicussion with your PCM. I wish good luck for everyone. Leah

You are right on Randi!!!!! As I was denined coverage for surgery in 2006 FEB. I see my doctor this Thursday Jan 24th to discuss my referral. I hope all goes well this time I've been waiting along time for this. I also carry Medicare part A so hospitalization will be covered. I hope everyone else with Tricare will also get busy out there. But remember you must be morbidly obese (100 lbs over your ideal weight for height and bone structure) and their weight is associated with severe medical conditions known to have a higher mortality rate. DIVAMOM Leah

Minpinmom--That is the exact same thing I went through. All the evaluations--psych, nutrition, etc. and it all lead up to a denial. Let me know how it goes. But just don't get your hopes too high and get totally crushed like I did. Leah

Used to be a nurse, but have been a stay at home mom for the last 10 years to my wonderful 9yo daughter, Savannah.

Matthew and Brad, what a dream. Matthew, you know them good ol' Texas Boys And Brad, what's to say it's all in the picture, Angelina is a lucky woman.:girl_hug: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :D :D :guess :guess :guess :guess :guess :guess :guess :guess :guess :guess :guess

I too signed up, there are some very interesting facts. Thanks:biggrin1:

Hi all. I have Pre-op on June 7th and surgery a week later. I have gotten most of the items ya'll have posted for post-op. Just getting alittle nervous:phanvan not a whole lot because I know this is the right thing to do. Do ya'll out there in lap band world have any tips for making this next week and a half go by faster?:help: And also how long till you were up and kickin' again? About 3 weeks post-op I have a trip to take and I'm hoping I can make it. Thanks in advance. LEAH

One of my docs first questions in his initial survey was, Do you take steroids? From my knowledge and experience doctors will not do the lap band surgery if you are on steroid therapy. You need to research this further, is this long term therapy? short term therapy? You'll have to find a doctor and see what happens. Although, when on steroids weight gain is a huge side effect. Good Luck in your searching. Leah

Haven't been banded yet(JUNE14th) but my pre-op diet is how I'll be eating after the liquid, puree and mushie stages. My doc and nutritionist started me on it immediately after my 1st appt. The diet is eat 6 times a day. 3 meals and 3 snacks. High protein, low fat and lowered carb. I lost 3 lbs the first 5 days and nornamally I don't lose anything. So I try not to eat after 8PM since we have so much eating to do which is funny since we are trying to lose weight but they told me the same thing about the wholde metabolism thing. You know most of us ruined our metabolism from dieting our whole lives and I think this is the closest way to try to get it back. Good Luck

FANTASIA GLITTER KISS

I am soooooo excited to see how well ya'll have done for yourselves. And I hope to join you someday. I am scheduled to be banded the middle of June. I will get my exact date at Pre-op appt. on June 7th. Please continue on the Onederful path you have created for yourselves and Be Healthy. A future bandster supports and is proud of everyone of you and I cna't wait to join you. LEAH

Kat, Would love to join ya'll but between having the lap band surgery in June and then recovering and then moving to California. I have alot going on. But I would love to join ya'll next time. Where do I go to join the SSS Club??? Have fun with your gift exchange. Leah

I actually have 2 Tricare plans but I just found this out. I am Tricare Prime because my husband is active duty and since I am disabled and have Medicare Part A I am also Tricare for Life. Don't ask me how opr why, my caseworker found this out while working with Tricare for my approval.

My maiden name is DiBattista and my husband nicknamed me DIVA for DIBA and I am a mom of a wonderful 9yo daughter.

Thanks for the reply, we keep that in mind and keep in touch with you and LBT. Thanks again, LEah

I will be banded in the middle of June in San Antonio, TX and moving to Dixon, CA close to Sacramento. Anyone close?? I don't know all the towns in my area yet. Also, for future reference any good fill docs in the area?? Would love to talk. Leah

SW General Hospital in San Antonio and my doc is Dr. Rajajoshiwala

I am a military dependent of an active duty AF husband. Tricare will pay for the lapband. I t took awhile and some work but I will be having Pro-op on June 7th and surgery about a week later. My doc worked really hard and used some top people to get this approved, but it finally worked out. I think some of what helped also is that medicare has approved the lap band and Tricare has now jumped on the bandwagon too. I am TRICARE PRIME and am disabled so I also have Medicare part A, when you have part A you also automaticaaly have Tricare for Life also. But it was approved under Tricare Prime. I am a 35yo woman who weighs 300lbs and I have Diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, joint issues, mild depression, I think I could go on forever sometimes with all my issues. All I can say is get a good PCM that will work hard for you and if you haven't yet show ways of trying to lose weight. I went to Clinical Health Psychology for help in losing weight, Obesity clinic with endocronology, diabetes clinic for help with my diet SHOW ways you are trying to lose weight and that they are not working ie medically supervised and that will help tremendously. Good Luck and keep working for your goal. LEah Almost forgot, I live 20 min from Wilford Hall and I am having surgery off base at SW Medical.

I am a military dep. of an active duty husband. I have Tricare Prime and also since I am considered disabled I also have medicare part A, when you have part A you automatically also have Tricare for Life. It took some doing by my Doc but as soon as Medicare jumped on the bandwagon to approve Lapband, my area (TX) also did and I was immediately approved. I've been to my first appointment, seen the psychologist and have Pre-op on June 7th and surgery will be a week later. Let's not mention I have a super case worker at Wilford Hall, her name is Michelle and she is unbeliveable. GOOD LUCK with Tricare it can be frustrating. Oh, I forgot to mention, I am 35yo, 300lbs and have sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, joint issues and mild depression.

Hi to all you bandsters. I will be getting banded in about 5 weeks. Not sure of the exact date yet. Pre-op is June 7 and surgery about a week after. My doctor is Dr. Paresh Rajajoshiwala here at The Wish Center in San Antonio. I have heard great things about this center so I am extremely excited. I started a 6 meal diet high protein/low fat this past Thursday and have started changing my eating habits now to be prepared after surgery. Not looking forward to a liquid diet but I'll do what I have to do. I have read so much on this web site and feel very much reassured about the choice I have made. I want to say Thank you to all of you for sharing, you have kept me informed and I'm sure that will continue. Hope to hear from ya'll--I'm excited to start this adventure in my life with a great web site like this one. :nanahump: Leah

I know it's been awhile since you posted this thread. But I am new. I will be getting the band in about 5 weeks. ALL has been approved by Tricare. Pre-op,nutritionist, excercise doc, psychologist, surgery etc. Get a good PCM and go for it. My air force doc worked her butt off to get me this surgery. I am 300lbs and have several co-morbidities, ie sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension GOOD LUCK----Leah