I have finally started the process & so far it has been an emotional one.

10/16/2010 - Attended seminar @ Lovelace Bariatrics, completed all the patient paperwork for my consultation appointment. Weight: 236.4

11/02/2010 - I received a call from the surgeon's office that they will no longer be accepting Tricare & they were cancelling my appointment. I cried like a baby all night, just really stressed about the whole situation. In NM, Dr. Smith is the only Lap-Band® surgeon in the state. So...needless to say, I was online for hours trying to figure out how exactly I was going to be able to get to TX or AZ to have the procedure done & then what about the fills????

11/03/2010 - Dr. Smith's office called me again to tell me that the doctor wanted to see me anyway & they were working it out with Tricare. I was sooooo excited!! So, I went to my appointment, weighed in at 238 :cursing:, BP was 148/93 (with bp meds). I met with Dr. Smith, he explained the band & how it works, felt around for my liver to see if it was fatty - it's not :thumbup: - then sent me on my way to talk with the insurance lady about what happens next. Apparantly, the hospital here in NM that he uses for surgery does not want to accept Tricare anymore so when it comes time to have my actual surgery, I will have to travel 10 hours to Fort Worth, TX to have it done. But I guess we have to do what we have to do. The pre-op diet is for 2 weeks & consists of the 1st week replacing one meal with a protein shake & the 2nd week is an all liquid diet. Not too bad!

I have my first dietician appointment on 12/01/2010. I am only required by insurance to have just this one but will see her again at least once before the surgery. As it looks now, I will be banded in January or February 2011. I am so excited to have this tool to help me accomplish my goals!!