Kristine73

for april 24. They are going to do the psych eval at the same time! I'm happy the ball is rolling. I am meeting w/the nurse practitioner this meeting. Then, I guess the next apt will be w/the surgeon. Woo-hoo ... happy-happy-joy-joy :eek: Kristine

I just got an approval for a consultation w/a surgeon through my ins co, which it tricare prime. I was diagnosed, via endoscope, w/a hiatal hernial around 1994. I tend to forget about it, unless I eat or drink something w/true mint in it. I've read where many times the hernia can be repaired at the same time as the lap-band surgery. Just wondering if it'll throw a monkey wrench into the apporval process. :welldoneclap: Thanks Kristine

I saw my PCM today to get a referral to see a surgeon about WLS. I went as prepared as possible, all ducks in a row. Just checked Tricare's site and referral to the surgeon was approved! I found these links elsewhere on this site. But, will put them here to make it easier for you! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f8/here-requirements-tricare-49813/ and Met life ideal height weight tables references Go through the documents and high light the important info to make it easier to locate. This also makes the limited time w/your pcm more effecient. I also looked us wls surgeons in my area and looked them up to see in they accepted tricare prime. I also printed out that pg so my pcm knew who I wanted to see. Maybe bringing all the info is what helped push my referral to see the surgeon through so fast. Good luck Kristine

My gallbladder went bad two years ago. I didn't have the side pain. However, I had a lot of the symptoms you are experiencing. I was up all night. I couldn't take it anymore and had hubs take me to ER two hours before my PCM's office opened. I was diagnosed by the time his office opened. I brought all er paperwork to his office and he immediatly referred me to a gen surgeon. Hope all goes well for you. I am unbanded. But have an apt w/my pcm for this friday for a referral to a doc in my area that does the lap-band surgery. Feel better soon Kristine

Hi, I have a appointment w/my pcm on fri (4/3/09). I am going to ask for a referral for the lap-band surgery w/either Dr. Redmann or Dr. Lavin. Reading your posts about these doctor's has eased my mind. Hope my pcm doesn't balk. I am 5' and weigh 249 and have tried various diets Thanks Kristine

This fri morning. I'm going prepared w/all the info. He asked me to do the research, so I did, as far as what my ins covers, doctors in my area, ect. I have a question, though. I read some where that if you have the realize band, you can't eat stuff like salads. I'm a vegetarian! Has anyone else been told anything like this? Thanks Kristine

My pmc doc is in Covington. The only surgeon in my area that accepts my ins, Tricare-prime, is Dr. Thomas Lavin. I've lived on the West Bank before. Then hubs got transfered and when he retired we decided on the Northshore area.

I live above Hammond. Have some friends that live in pearl river. So we are down there quite often. Congrats on your approval! :thumbup: I am hpong I'll get approved ... calling PMC this week for referral to surgeon ...

Hi all, Well, a wee bit of history ... I'm 35, I've lost over 100 lbs twice before, and of course, gained it back. Always had a weight problem. I was anorexic in high school. Do NOT wanna go that route, again. I had a complete hyst due to endometriosis when I was 26. The slam in to menopause did not help my weight struggle. Around 30, I was diagnosed w/fibromyalgia. :bored: I went vegetarian 27 Dec 2008. Lost 2 whopping pounds, since! :eek: I'm not vegan ... I've thought about going vegan, but I live in a small town, outside of New Orleans. Going vegetarian is hard enough in this area! I work full-time and am a full-time student. I really don't have the time to cook as I should. I get one day off a week, if I'm lucky. I usually spend that day curled up in the fetal position, recovering. Or, cramming for tests. I am want to teach biology and the classes are grueling. I know if I loose the weight, my pain levels will go down. Right now, due to the pain, it is hard to stick to an exercise program. And there is a battle between my pmc doc and ob/gyn whether I should be on HRT, or not. Managing weight is easier when I am on HRT, but my PMC is worried about breast cancer risks. I've tried about every diet there is. My doc first brought up the lap band about a year ago. I balked at the idea, at first. So did my hubs. But, now that I am ready, my doc isn't so enthusiastic about it. I have tricare-prime. I found a surgeon in our area that accepts in it in my area and is certified to do the lap-band surgey. Now, I just have to get my doc to un-dig his heals. If tri-care approves the surgery, I have to schedule it around college breaks ... Sorry for the novela ... :thumbup: Kristine