Emily Brokaw

I am a Colorado Band to Bypass too! Congrats on the approval. My band was with Dr Snyder at Swedish in Englewood and my unbanding/bypass surgery was done by Dr Snyder at Rose in Denver.

I'm still in the steps to getting approval. But i am seeing Dr. Snyder as well. How did you surgery go, and were you pleased with his staff etc?

I have tricare prime too! I was approved in 2010 when we were stationed in Jackonsville, and i saw the North Florida surgeons. Unfortunately he got pcs'd last minute and i'm still in the fight to getting the surgery. Things have changed alot since i first was approved. Now we are required to be on a 6 month supervised diet with your PCM, which basically just involves going into the doctor once a month, weighing in and telling him/her what diet changes/excercise changes you've made. It's a real bummer, but it's just one of the million hoops you have to jump through. Good luck!

I've been going back and forth between lapband and the sleeve. If I go to a civilian surgeon tricare doesn't cover the sleeve, but I think if I go to a military hospital they will.. I live in denver so the closest would be in the springs. Does my PCM have to refer me to the military hospital or is my civilian referral good enough? Also, if I go to a military hospital does tricare still have to approve the surgery or is my PCM referral good enough?

How long is the hospital stay after surgery?

Luckily I have military insurance, and they will fully cover both surgeries! I'll definitely be bringing that up when I speak to him. Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I have my first Dr's appointment on Friday. My surgeon does both procedures (Gastric, and banding), and I haven't completely decided which one I would like to do. I've thought about all the pro's and cons, and I still can't make up my mind.

The main reason why I would go with gastric is that you don't have to go back to the Dr. for maintenance. But, both surgeries scare me because of band slippage, and with gastric you can have leakage through the staples after surgery.

This will be my first major surgery, and I think that's where most of my fear is coming from. Any advice, or insight on your experience would be appreciated!

Oh! I made my appointment the other day. I called and asked my doctor once i got my letter of referral. I go in June 8th. I think it says my doctor is going to be Dr. Rothchild?

Hey ya'll! About a year ago I started the Lap-band process, and 2 weeks before I was going to get the surgery my husband got stationed last minute across the country. I was devastated. Now that we are finally settled again I have started the process over again. I will be going to the University of Colorado hospital. I'm still waiting for them to contact me in for my first appointment! As much as I want the surgery, I can't help but keep the horror stories in my head!

I have 100 pounds to lose, and I'm still in my early 20's so hopefully my skin won't look too terrible after I lose the weight.

Is the port visible for any of you?

What is the most common complication you've experienced so far?

Anything you would suggest doing, or not doing?

I would love any words of encouragement, or success stories! Thanks!

This is where I'm going too. I was put in for a referral, and now I'm just waiting for them to call me to schedule an appointment! I'm excited!