Has anyone been banded at an MTF? I've been referred to Walter Reed Hospital and am looking to find any information on their proceedures/requirements.

Before Tricare had approved LapBand, I contacted Walter Reed to see if I could have it there - I was told, they only do it on patients that are 50 years old or more, and you have to live within the City Limits of their facility. Now that probably has all changed now that Tricare has started covering it. But I wrote letters and everything (about 6 months ago) trying to get a waiver to have the surgery. With no luck of course.

I thought they were going to refer me to a civilian but apparently they are taking appointments. They scheduled me with the surgeon for March 11.

Very cool! you will have to keep us updated on your progress.

Ok, so I met the surgeon at Walter Reed. Seems like a pretty straight forward, stand up kind of guy. I don't think he'll pull many punches with me which is good, I tend to need that type. From what I understand they only take 2 new patients a week. It's about a 3 month process, I made my appointments for psych eval, nutritionist, exercise therapy and sleep study. I'm trying to be pro-active here so it doesn't become a 6 month process. Good news, I don't have to deal with Tricare for anything other than the sleep study and also, since i'm doing the band surgery there, they will give me referral to the plastic surgeon for the tummy tuck and such afterward.

Ok, so I met the surgeon at Walter Reed. Seems like a pretty straight forward, stand up kind of guy. I don't think he'll pull many punches with me which is good, I tend to need that type. From what I understand they only take 2 new patients a week. It's about a 3 month process, I made my appointments for psych eval, nutritionist, exercise therapy and sleep study. I'm trying to be pro-active here so it doesn't become a 6 month process. Good news, I don't have to deal with Tricare for anything other than the sleep study and also, since i'm doing the band surgery there, they will give me referral to the plastic surgeon for the tummy tuck and such afterward.:thumbup:

Hi Katie,

I have an appt on Monday Apr 7 with surgeon at Bethesda. Do you have any info for them? Any info you could give me would be appreciated. Good luck with your process.

Thanks

Seige

Sorry, I didn't get back with you, I just saw your posting today. I hope your appointment went well. I'm kind of surprised they are taking you at Bethesda. I was told they were only taking active duty. I'm still trucking along with my appointments. I'm about half way through now. I have a nutritionist, support group, psych eval and sleep study left and i'm done, hopefully. I don't know if they told you at Bethesda but there is a support group that meets the 2nd thursday of each month at Walter Reed. I went to my first meeting this week and they were all very nice and welcoming.

Hi Katies, Thanks for the info. But it turns out that the person that scheduled me for Bethesda made a mistake and they don't do the surgery. So they referred me to Walter Reed who isn't taking any new patients right now. So now Healthnet is looking for a surgeon who does the Lap Band. The ones that I found in their network only did Gastric Bypass and that's not an option for me. Anyway. Hopefully by next Friday, I'll have an appt to start the process. I know that there is one step that I'll skip because I had a sleep study done in November and I have the C-Pap machine already. Just out of curiosity, are you in MD or VA? I'm in Southern MD. Any support that I can get is appreciated. Once I know what I'm doing, maybe I'll think about the group at Walter Reed. Good luck with the rest of your appts.

Thanks

Seige

Hi, Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia does it.

I'd like to hear how you're progressing along. I'm in VA and I think I timed the opening at Walter Reed just right. Feel free to go to the group there at Walter Reed when ever you want. They are really great and its not just for Walter Reed patients. They welcome everyone. They have a monthly meeting that has either the nutritionist, exercise therapist, surgeon or psych drs go to for Q & A and family is welcome. Then they also have weekly meetings to discuss more personal issues and no one other than the patients are to attend.

Which team at walter reed did you deal w/? What doc? I have had to deal w/ gen surg. there a lot as my husband has had numerous cancer surgeries. Anyway, I have just been referred there myself. I am not sure I want to go to them since it seems to take longer but you "plastics" info on the tummy tuck def. has me leaning that way. I haven't even decided to do the lap... I really want to lose weight a little faster than many of these people seem to be w/ the band. I would be happy w/ a 3-4 lbs a week loss vs a 1-2lb a wk. How are ya'll doing?

Here's good timing. I just had my surgery on monday at Walter Reed and came home today. I saw Dr. Rherig in general surgery. My process took 3 months exactly from initial consult to surgery. I had concerns about going there but honestly, the care I received was awesome. The nurses were great and I wasn't rushed to leave because insurance only covered a limited time. I don't think the process took any longer than it would at any civilian dr.

So you had the band right? Were you concerned about the really slow and stalled weight loss some people seem to have on it? Does the port show under the skin? Did they mention to you the plastics consult after weight loss?

I have no problems with the slower weight loss with lap band as opposed to bypass. I really think the body needs more time to adjust anyway. It took 40 years to get to this point, one or two years to lose it won't kill me. They did mention the referral to plastics after you lose the weight and stabilize. If the surgery is done at WR you get priority over at plastics. If you do the WLS else where you get no referral. I'm still swollen from surgery so I can't feel my port. I did speak to some folks at the support group meetings and they can feel the port afterwards but can't see it. I'm really happy with my experience at WR, other than some of the appointment delays, it has been a great experience with them.

I guess that is the difference. It only took me 4 mo. to put it on.... lol... during pregnance... the problem is my metabolism slowed after the first 2 kids and turning 30 and then I just couldn't lose it. I didn't gain anymore but I have never been able to lose an ounce. I didn't even lose the weight of the baby after she was born...lol... which was really depressing. I actually left the hospital after a week and a c=sec up 10lbs....blah!

I got a referal to walter reed BUT they said they were full so they sent me to Rappahonnock surgical in Fredricksburg which I have never even heard of. I am sorely disppointed because I was really hoping for the plastics consulted w/ walter reed and I know they do that! I have an in in plastics right now because my husband has had a lot of cancer related reconstructive surgery but she will be gone by the time I need her.

Do you know how to find out what the codes you were approved for mean? I got approved for like 6 visits w/ a couple of codes.

I know WR only takes 2 patients a week or atleast they did when I went through. One of the surgeons left and is now in Richmond. I don't know if you could get a referral to him or not. His name is Dr. Carmody. Dr Rehrig, who I saw, is slammed right now. People in the system are having to wait a bit longer than they expected. I wonder if they could put you on a wait list. If they are sending you to Fredericksburg than you are in my neck of the woods. I'm in Stafford.