Hello eveyone my name is Ann and I live in Newport News, VA my husband is retired Air Force and we have Tircare Prime. I am going on Friday to ask my PCM for a referral for a the lap band. Since my husband is retired does any one know if they will refer me to a civilian doctor or will they refer me to Portsmouth Navel. I also heard (don't know how true it is) Portsmouth is phasing out their bariactric dept.

I am TriCare Standard, I suggest that you check the insurance post. I did my TriCare search there. It went smoothly for me, so good luck to you.

I'm under TriWest (as we live in Cali, retired USAF/E7) and so far it has been surprisingly straight forward. I made an appointment, spoke with my PCM (civilian folks as we're far from VAFB) about LapBand, described my circumstance--hx of yo-yo dieting, x3 comorbidities(Apnea, Cholesterol, BP) and Triwest approved starting the process.

Hardest part was locating someone within a reasonable driving distance who is an in-network provider. Use the Provider Directory and cross reference with doc's near you (unless they are still doing it at the base).

I've three more hoops to jump through (psych eval, pre-op diet, Nutritional class) but so far so good. Good Luck!

Thank you for the information I am going to my PCM on Friday and hopefully things go soomthly from there. I am gonna go ahead and request my referral for psych eval and cardio/pulmonary clearence as well. I want to have my procedure done at the end of March of early June while I am out of school for the summer. Again thanks for the well wishes I am so looking forward to this and I pray all goes well.

I am tricare prime south (ret AF) getting approval was a breeze

I want to be referred to a local surgeon (civilian) because they do them at Portsmouth navel but they have a 12-18 month waiting list and I can 't wait that long. My hubby is retired so I am praying that they will grant my request.

Go in prepared with how you meet the Tricare criteria, your weight mgmt hx., etc. Might not hurt to have some possible names of local in-network providers.

Also have you discussed your situation with the Tricare folks (in a hypothetical manner)? Maybe pitch it to them as a question regarding use of in-network folks vs using the military??? Just a thought.

Good luck.

When did you have your surgery? Can you give me any advice or in sight on what to expect before, during and after the surgery?? How long were you out of work?? And most important how much weight have you lost??

When did you have your surgery? Can you give me any advice or in sight on what to expect before, during and after the surgery?? How long were you out of work?? And most important how much weight have you lost??

I took 1 week off because i had the sick time to take.

Hey I'm a healthcare worker and retired Navy with Tricare Prime. I'm getting banded on March 25th. Everything was super smooth for me as far as getting all my prereq's done. You'll be referred to general surgeon, then dieticians, cardio clearance and psych. Good Luck. Oh and my banding is already approved with a year's worth of post-op appts.

I'm about three steps behind Happy2BMe in the process. And in reality still not completely decieded if I'll do it.

There are significant lifestyle changes that will need to be implemented and I'm slowly processing their impact. This site has been an excellent source of info though so I'd recommend reading and looking to see if some of your questions have been asked by others.

For me a part of this is about being preventative. I weigh 265, take 3 meds and use a CPAP. I've wreastled with my weight throughout my 21 yrs of service (only once did they catch me and put me on the "Fatboy" program :confused: though). Though I'm confident I can drop weight I creeps back, and gets higher. My hope is the band may aid in being a "stop gap" when life breaks up my fitness regimen--which is normally when the pounds return.

If there is a theme I've gleemed from reading various post is the band is a tool, not an end in itself. Hope this helps!:confused: