I have been on Tricare Prime for last 11 years, and been thinking about getting the lap band procedure done. I am 30 years old, weight is 280lbs, height is 5'8. I know I am overweight and obesity does run in my mother side of family. I have been experiencing knee and back problems.

I have tried different diets and some did help but I noticed as I got older I been gaining more weight. There are days I don't eat but only once a day. It been getting harder to lose weight. I take walks in the evening time for about 1 to 2 hours.

Questions or concerns about Lap band

Are there any side effects of getting the lap band completed?

Does anyone know of any surgeons near Terre Haute Indiana that perform this procedure.

How long does someone leave this device in.

How often do you have to follow-up with your doctor.

I would like to hear from other people that had this procedure done. I have been considering this procedure for last 6 months.

Thanks

Hello, My name is Beth (44yrs old, 243lbs, and 5'3) and I too have Tricare Prime. It was a very quick process once I got all the information from my PCP and the surgeon's office to the ins. In fact, it took about a week after my PCP put in the referral request to have a number from Tricare and be on my way. So don't be discouraged by ins. Be persistent, have your list of co-morbidities ready and really sell your PCP on the idea. Mine was a lot more receptive than I thought he would be, but he has watched my weight soar over the past 6 years and knows I have tried many things to reduce the weight. As for your concerns and questions, the best place to have your questions answered would be with the surgeon. I went to a free seminar that my surgeon held and it answered most all my questions. There are a few side effects that some people experience and others don't. Check out lapband.com to read about some of those. The device will be with me the rest of my life, unless something unforeseen happens (slippage, erosion, etc). Seeing the doctor is a must, keeping them and yourself current with information and fills/unfills is important to your success and comfort. They want you to be successful, so most plan to see you every month for about the first year to year and a half. With my doctor I get 18 months follow-up as a part of my fee. so I plan to use it. I'm sorry I can't help you with surgeons in your area, but here is what I did. I logged onto my states obesity surgeon search site and found them, from there I researched their personal sites and when I had narrowed it down, I started tracking down people who I knew had the surgery and got their opinions of their doctors. So then it was up to me to find a seminar in my area and educate myself as much as possible. I had been interested in doing this for the past 3 years, but fear kept me from moving forward. I'm so glad I have done this; I was banded on the 17th of this month. I have not had a lot of pain, mostly gas in shoulders (common), and some neck pain (but that is where I carry my tension), but I have already lost a little over 3 pounds. I know there are things that you have concerns about, I hope this has helped a little. Start searching the web for surgeons in your area, do some more homework, and check it out. I have been very happy that I did. I foresee the rest of my life being the active, healthy person I and my family hope for me to be. Let my know what you decide, Beth

I have been on Tricare Prime for last 11 years, and been thinking about getting the lap band procedure done. I am 30 years old, weight is 280lbs, height is 5'8. I know I am overweight and obesity does run in my mother side of family. I have been experiencing knee and back problems.

I have tried different diets and some did help but I noticed as I got older I been gaining more weight. There are days I don't eat but only once a day. It been getting harder to lose weight. I take walks in the evening time for about 1 to 2 hours.

Questions or concerns about Lap band

Are there any side effects of getting the lap band completed?

Does anyone know of any surgeons near Terre Haute Indiana that perform this procedure.

How long does someone leave this device in.

How often do you have to follow-up with your doctor.

I would like to hear from other people that had this procedure done. I have been considering this procedure for last 6 months.

Thanks

Also, I'm not sure about docs in the Terre Haute area, but I would suggest a bariatric center of excellence just because they know more about the before and afters of surgery better and are more likely to offer support! I am going to St. Vincent's in Carmel but I live in Muncie so it's not terribly far for me. (About 45 minute drive)