melon11

I live in the Columbus,ga area. I had my appointment today with my Pcm at Martin Army Hospital and was told that he will put in a referrel for my surgery. My question is are there any surgeons in or around Columbus to do this? I cant seem to find any and i was just wondering if im looking in the wrong place. I have Tricare and was looking for any feedback or advice associated with Doctors around the area (Up to/including Atl,Auburn,Birmin). What were the steps you had to take to complete the process leading up to getting banded. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!!

I know that this is an older post but i was wondering if any of you who have gone through Dr. Pennington had Tricare? I'm currently researching Dr. Pennington and i have seen/heard nothing but awesome things about this man, his work, and his office. I'm pretty positive i would like to make him my surgon for Lap-Band surgey.

I was researching Dr. Pennington from Brimingham, Al to do my Lap band and was just wondering if anyone has had surgery through him?

I'm worried about the legth of my insurance coverage. I currently have Tricare Prime due to my husband being in the Army. I'm in the process of researching a bariatric surgeon in Birmingham, Al. My worries are that my husband will be etsing in April of "13 and i'm worried about being able to find an insurance company that I can do my fills through after having the surgery for LB done through my current insurance. My goal (Fingers crossed) is to have everything done (Meet with doc, sem., surgery) wihtin the next 2-3 months. My friend has the same insurance and has gone to the same doctor i'm thinking about going to and was able to have everything completed in a matter of a month. I guess with all that being said, what im worried about is it worth getting banded with only 6 months left of insurance? The plan after he gets out is to inroll in Tricare South. Are fills necessary after the first year?

Has anyone been approved with Tricare for Lap Band without having any co-morbidities? I had my docs apt with my PCM this morning and he's going to put in a referral for the surgery. other than being over wight I dont have any other co-morbidities. Has anyone else been approved through Tricare without having any? Im worried they'll deny (Doc said i should have a problem) my request to get the surgery done.

***Update*** I received a call from my pmc's office today saying that Tricare is requesting me to go to a nutritionist (given), check in every 6 weeks with my pcm to record progress, and that i HAVE to have records of a diet plan along the lines of Weigh Watchers or Jenny Greg ect.. Then they topped that sundae with the beautiful news that i'd have to pay for that diet plan out of pocket. The wind is slowly but surly being knocked outta my sails. It seems like everytime i get closer to getting approved for the surgery i get knocked back 3 steps. we'll see that happens from here.

Im hopeful I will. Hearing your stories helped ease some of the anxiety of possibly being denied. Thanks guys!

Odd thing is he never tested it. He merely told me after talking about the situation that I am a candidate for the surgery and that i Shouldnt have a problem getting approved by insurance. I thought it was odd, but i can always go through my next appt. whether it be my pcm or my consult with the surgeon. Im 5'5 @ 316.

Im 25. I think that was part of the reason why i was taken back when he told me i was young. Ive researched people as young (Maybe to young in my opinion) as 16 getting banded. After doing some last minute digging on this site, i think ive pretty much mustered up the force i need to put behind my words without coming across as a Bi**h. If worse comes to worse i'm willing to research and find another PCM willing to give me a recommendation to a surgeon. All-in-all, im in high hopes and im ready to do whatever i need to do to get this process underway. Congratulations on your band date! How are you feeling about it? I wish you the best of luck, and hope that u keep me updated on your progress!

I'll be going to see my PCM this Wednesday (19th). The last time i saw him was for a check-up and i brought up the topic of wanting to get lap band. He told me that since im still young he would rather me try to loose the weight myself and referred me to a nutritionist. He told me if i still thought about going through with it that he would write me a referral because i fit the criteria for getting the surgery. My fear is that he'll try to talk me out of it, or will dance around the situation. My question is how should i approach him or which questions to ask him when i go for my appointment? I've been researching Lap Band for the past year and a half and have read just about every forum, watched every video, and every blog about the pros and cons. I know im ready for this change, i just need some guidence on what to say to him to let him know that im standing my ground without being to rude.

Hey guys! Im interested in getting Lap Band, the only problem is that i keep second guessing myself due to being scared of being left with tons of excess skin after the surgery. My husband is in the army so the surgery will actually be covered but he is getting out in 2013. Seeing that they only cover one "cosmetic" surgery ( I have no health problems other than being obese), im afraid i'll be left having to defend for myself and paying for the excess skin (if any) removal. I've been researching Lap Band for the past year and a half and have decided that it is something that i can absolutely benefit from and something that will make my life totally easier. Im aware that i will need to work out with this plan and im totally commited in doing so. I just wonder if anyone else had the same thoughts b4 going through with the surgery and what the out come was. Any and all information is greatly appreciated! thanks in advanced.