I am just getting started. I went to the new patient orientation and go for the colonoscopy on the 25th of Sep. I am nervous about the whole thing and learning as I go. I quit smoking yesterday as the first step in my get healthy. I am hoping I can figure all this out and I have no problems with tricare. I am 185.3 lbs. I don't have 6 consecutive months although I have been fighting the battle for a long time. I am 51 years old and have diabetes. I believe I am a mess. I am having a hard time right now going through this smoking withdrawl and the battle has just begun. Any info and or advise would be so appreciated. I have my surgeon, Dr Murr at Tampa General Hospital, Tampa FL.

Hi, I'm from Englewood,FL and I'm 56yo. First off, congratulations on starting a journey to get healthy and good luck on quitting smoking. The best advice I could give you is learn all you can about LBS. You can do that by stalking LBT.com and reading WLS books. All the info the bariatric office throws at you is to fast in little time. You need time to understand how the band works and what you have to do to be successful. Knowledge is power!

LBT.com will offer you a lot of knowledge, support and inspiration. Hope to see you posting and good luck on your WL journey!

Hello, I have had the band for close to two years now. I have lost 115 pounds, I have 100 hundred pounds to go. I have the same problem as you with the nicotine. I am toldly addicted. I also stopped smoking tobacco, just before my surgery. But I did not give up my nicotine, I smoke the eletronic cigarette, I love it I swear by it. I have not had a real cigarette in two years I smoke greensmoke.com. I can exercise for hours, and never get out of breath. I don't cough anymore, nor have I had bronchitis in two years since I gave up the tobacco. Good luck to you and exercise it is the key to success.

I am just getting started. I went to the new patient orientation and go for the colonoscopy on the 25th of Sep. I am nervous about the whole thing and learning as I go. I quit smoking yesterday as the first step in my get healthy. I am hoping I can figure all this out and I have no problems with tricare. I am 185.3 lbs. I don't have 6 consecutive months although I have been fighting the battle for a long time. I am 51 years old and have diabetes. I believe I am a mess. I am having a hard time right now going through this smoking withdrawl and the battle has just begun. Any info and or advise would be so appreciated. I have my surgeon' date=' Dr Murr at Tampa General Hospital, Tampa FL.[/quote']

Do you know what your insurance criteria is?

I recommend calling the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. The can tell you exactly their requirements. There are differences in coverage even between different policies for the same insurance company.

Also, your doctor may have requirements above and beyond that of the insurance. My insurance requirements none. My doctor: 10% loss of body weight; and a butt load of tests.