*barbara*

Actually, I switched teams and decided get RNY Gastric Bypass. I had surgery on 12/21/09 and am down 60 lbs so far. Let me know if you have any questions.

just a quick update on this thread - I have been approved for WLS! actually, i just changed my mind and decided to move forward with RNY instead of the lapband. But i just wanted to let you all know that I was approved through Tricare's 200% policy so if you don't understand it, I am pretty sure someone else explained it in this thread. Good luck to all!

If you are consuming the correct amount of Protein, then that may not be the issue. I heard that hair loss also result from the trauma of the surgery to your body and it healing. My hair stylist also told me that the anesthesia can result in hair loss. I haven't had WLS yet but I did have my thyroid removed 7 months ago and I am still experiencing hair loss.

great, thanks! I got the list of allowed liquids but wasn't really sure how to apply them. thanks again!

Curious - what did you eat (well actually I mean 'drink') during your pre-op liquid diet?

Hello, Is anyone willing to share what was written is their letter of medical neccessity. The one my doctor wrote was really, really weak and definitely needs to be beefed up. So I was go to re-write it and ask them to sign it. I want to get this done right the first time! Thanks!

Sorry - I should have said that it is not that I think the lap band won't work...I think it will work. I am really just concerned about the life span of the band. I am worried about all the things that could possiblly go wrong. And I wouldn't want to have it taken away from me and have to go through this whole process again. Thanks!

Ok - so I have completed all my pre-requisites and now all I need to do is send in my completed packet to the surgeon’s office and then wait for them to call me with a appointment. But before I even get to that, there is a section on their questionnaire that asks which procedure I would prefer: lap band or gastric bypass? When I started this journey I went into it thinking I absolutely wanted the lap band. I liked it for all of the obvious reasons (simple surgery,quick recovery time, adjustable, not permanent). But now as I have had time to think about and learn about everyone else's experiences...I am not so sure I want the lap band any more. I understand that both procedures come with risks but I feel like the lap band has more of a potential to have something go wrong down the road. I have a hard time believing that something I have installed in me at the age of 30 is going to last for the rest of my life with out any complications. I think about the lap band as a car...it needs maintenance (fills)...might need some repairs...what if it a lemon?!?!? So my other option is gastric bypass...and I know I am posting this on a pro-lapband message board so I am not sure I will get much support with this option. But I think my body chemistry might work better with the RNY. I am hypothyroid and although I am on medication for it...i still think my body suffers as a result of a synthetic metabolism. So I think the malabsorbtion of the RNY would actually help me lose the weight. Ugh, this is such a difficult decision...I have been obsessing over it for days!

bump again...i love real ghost stories!!!

good post...bump!

Oh my god, thank YOU so much for letting me know this!!!!! This is the best news ! I decided to explore the possibility of getting surgery back in January and having been dragging my heals through the whole process because I have been in fear that I could be denied since I don't have any co-morbidities. I have read of Tricare's 200% policy before but never understood it and thought it was for people who were severely over weight. Finally the gray clouds have cleared and can almost see the sun!!! Thanks again!

Hello tkee99156 - can you explain the 200% route? I am curious if I could do the same although i don't know the criteria. You see, I don't have any co-morbities. My weight started at 250 lbs and I am 5' 4"...and according to a frame calculator i do have a small frame (some where under all this weight) and i do sometimes wear petite pants. According to the Met Life table a small frame should be 116-130 lbs (although I will be thrilled with 160).

Now that I think about it, I really like that pose too. I think it may be the most flattering (make my thighs look skinny and give me some clevage). Ugh, now I am so excited!

I am in the early phase of this whole process and my paperwork has not yet been submitted. I am really curious if I will be approved by tricare. My starting weight is 250 (5'4") and I don't have any co-morbities...but I have a history of diabeties in my family so I do run the risk if I continue on this path. I also had my thyroid removed a few months...and although that isn't a co-morbity, I am hoping that my lack luster metabolism will give them enough reason to approve. *fingers crossed*

Yes, I would love to see the letter you wrote. Right now I really don't have any other documented medical issues. The funny thing is that since I decided to explore the LB in January, I have found my knees hurting me. So I might mention that, however I don't have it documented any where. I don't want it to seem as though I am making reasons to have this done. As for the trouble I am having with getting some answers from my insurance company, I will try to talk to someone at the next informational session I attend on May 8th. I also did some looking around and think i found another surgeon. They have a informational session on May 7th so I was thinking about attending that to see what their program is like.