Hi all,

Well, a wee bit of history ... I'm 35, I've lost over 100 lbs twice before, and of course, gained it back. Always had a weight problem. I was anorexic in high school. Do NOT wanna go that route, again. I had a complete hyst due to endometriosis when I was 26. The slam in to menopause did not help my weight struggle. Around 30, I was diagnosed w/fibromyalgia. :bored:

I went vegetarian 27 Dec 2008. Lost 2 whopping pounds, since! :eek: I'm not vegan ... I've thought about going vegan, but I live in a small town, outside of New Orleans. Going vegetarian is hard enough in this area!

I work full-time and am a full-time student. I really don't have the time to cook as I should. I get one day off a week, if I'm lucky. I usually spend that day curled up in the fetal position, recovering. Or, cramming for tests. I am want to teach biology and the classes are grueling.

I know if I loose the weight, my pain levels will go down. Right now, due to the pain, it is hard to stick to an exercise program. And there is a battle between my pmc doc and ob/gyn whether I should be on HRT, or not. Managing weight is easier when I am on HRT, but my PMC is worried about breast cancer risks.

I've tried about every diet there is. My doc first brought up the lap band about a year ago. I balked at the idea, at first. So did my hubs. But, now that I am ready, my doc isn't so enthusiastic about it.

I have tricare-prime. I found a surgeon in our area that accepts in it in my area and is certified to do the lap-band surgey. Now, I just have to get my doc to un-dig his heals. If tri-care approves the surgery, I have to schedule it around college breaks ...

Sorry for the novela ... :thumbup:

Kristine

Good luck on your journey. If this doctor is not willing and you KNOW you want this, then find another pcp.

Hello,

What part of Louisiana are you in? We moved from Slidell about 21 1/2 years. Also tri-care prime. Just got approved last week.:thumbup:

I live above Hammond. Have some friends that live in pearl river. So we are down there quite often. Congrats on your approval! :thumbup:

I am hpong I'll get approved ... calling PMC this week for referral to surgeon ...

All tri-care required of me was the referral from my pmc , 1 nutritional visit and go to a seminar . The sergon requested that i take a sleep study test b/s of my ashma. Now on the C-PAP machine, but that help with the approval. Was approved on Friday.:thumbup: It only took two day from the time the doctor's office submitted my claim.

Good

Kristine what dr. are you considering useing??? I went to West Jeff and had mine done 7 months ago...shannon

My pmc doc is in Covington. The only surgeon in my area that accepts my ins, Tricare-prime, is Dr. Thomas Lavin.

I've lived on the West Bank before. Then hubs got transfered and when he retired we decided on the Northshore area.