Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Any Military Sleevers?



Recommended Posts

I am a dependent about to undergo surgery tomorrow at madigan, which is at fort lewis WA. I have mixed emotions but most of all am nervous.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a dependent about to undergo surgery tomorrow at madigan, which is at fort lewis WA. I have mixed emotions but most of all am nervous.

I'm pulling for you and hope everything went well! Would love to hear and update on how you are doing!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I came home today and feel better than expected with minimal pain more soreness in my belly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am also having my surgery this month at Bethesda national naval medical center. Has anyone had their surgery there? if so what was your experience? mine is scheduled for the 25th. I am doing my 2 week liquid diet now .

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@nanny02 I had my surgery at bethesda in may... i dont get on here much you can email me at skn1224@gmail.com if you have any questions..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am going through Walter Reed at Bethesda to do my sleeve. I was wondering if anyone had it done there by Dr. Worlton. I am struggling to see the light at the end of this long tunnel with the way things are being handled right now.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Heather, I just had surgery on 2/24 with Rehgrig. I love Dr. Rehrig, but it is my understanding he will be leaving to teach for a little while. I will say that I have heard nothing but good things about Dr. Whorlton in my group meetings. (She preformed surgeries on people iin my group.) I am glad it is over, and so happy I made this choice. I am down 43 lbs total and 33 since the liquid pre-op. Best wishes, let me know of you have any other questions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just had mine done at Ft. Riley. The bariatric program just started here and I was in the first group to have it done here. The surgery went as I expected. I had a lot of post op complications right after and was in the hospital for 6 days. The staff on the surgery floor were fantastic!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<p>I just had mine done at Ft. Riley. The bariatric program just started here and I was in the first group to have it done here. The surgery went as I expected. I had a lot of post op complications right after and was in the hospital for 6 days. The staff on the surgery floor were fantastic!</p>

... You just had it done at Riley... Could you please tell me your process... To getting accepted.... They cover Vertical Sleeve gastrectomy?? What were the complications! I have so many questions...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Melissa,

Attend the monthly bariatric seminar! They have been held the first week if the month! You will get tons of information! You will need your primary dr to put in a referral for you to meet Dr. Cancelada and he will confirm if you are a candidate for the sleeve!

Then you get to attend weekly classes about nutrition and met with a dietitian. You will be assigned a case manager. You'll also need to see a psychologist/psychiatrist.

Yes, Tricare covers it. It is a new program that started here at Riley. So far the only places that have this is Ft. Lewis, Ft. Carson and now here!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Melissa,<br><br> Attend the monthly bariatric seminar! They have been held the first week if the month! You will get tons of information! You will need your primary dr to put in a referral for you to meet Dr. Cancelada and he will confirm if you are a candidate for the sleeve!<br><br> Then you get to attend weekly classes about nutrition and met with a dietitian. You will be assigned a case manager. You'll also need to see a psychologist/psychiatrist.<br><br> Yes, Tricare covers it. It is a new program that started here at Riley. So far the only places that have this is Ft. Lewis, Ft. Carson and now here!

Thank you so much. So nice to have the information. We are pcsing to Riley out report date is June 10. I will definitely be at the first meeting July the 1st then. I've been following the opening of the bariatric center there ever since I knew we were going there. I had also been looking into the possibility before finding out this information of paying on my own. We are currently stationed in Germany. And the doctors here have not been helpful at all. All the doctors tell me is to lose weight ... They are complete jerks about it to. I am far from lazy and I have tried so hard for so long to lose this weight but it's just not happening. Thanks so much for the information. How is your weightloss progressing?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know this is an ancient thread, but I had VSG at JBER in Anchorage, AK with Dr Clark. It was an amazing experience and I've had 2 other friends end up going as well with wonderful outcomes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know this is an ancient thread, but I had VSG at JBER in Anchorage, AK with Dr Clark. It was an amazing experience and I've had 2 other friends end up going as well with wonderful outcomes.

Glad to know this is a possibility. I'm very excited. Thanks for sharing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi everyone! I am in San Antonio, TX. I am trying to start the process to have the VSG done at SAMMC. I went to my PCM and was told I might not be a candidate and I did not get a referral. This is so frustrating! I have been battling with my weight since I was 17. My BMI is 36.6. I have GERD, possible sleep apnea, and depression. Has anyone been through the process at SAMMC? Can you tell me how you got started? Also, does anyone know of comorbidities other than the obvious ones usually listed that they will accept? Thanks!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My name is Kevin. I am an Air Force Veteran. I had my sleeve done at the Palo Alto VA hospital July 22nd this year. I have lost 32 pounds so far.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×