smellbug

No I do not they are going to discuss it with me at my next appointment July 13th. Hoping for the best preparing for the worst. The worst being two week liquid diet. I think I over heard 5 days liquid so that is what I am hoping for.

The support meetings are at NAS in the general surgery clinic. They are about an one and a half hours long. The one in July they are going to be talking about protein shakes there will be a NUT there and we will make and try different kinds. Yes there will be people there for the sleeve and gastric bypass. Also there are pre-op and post-op people there so you get to talk to people who already had the surgery. I love that part hearing all the success stories from people I meet. The post-oo people are very open and will answer any questions you have about surgery, recovery and how they are doing currently. Hope to see you in July. My name is Tara.

Ladybug143 The support groups vary as far as day and time. For example last meeting was Saturday at 1030am our next meeting is July 17th at 430pm. You should try to make the July meeting. The only thing holding me up is the 5 support meetings I have done everything else. I am Tri-Care Prime and I will have no out of pocket cost.

Ladybug143 My ship shape classes were at Mayport every Tuesday 9am-11am. I am not sure the time and day they do it at NAS. You were only required to attend 6 of the 8 to complete the class.

Ladybug143 When my doctor put in my referral I had to wait like 14 days and call the referral line to see if they got it. He gave me a paper with the number on it. Once they got my referral I called General Surgery. Yes, Captain Flint is my surgeon. I have my follow up from my EDG on July 13th and I am to schedule my surgery then. I am thinking it will be sometime in August. I am so excited when yoy first start the process 5 mobths seems forever but the tine does go by fast. I would go ahead and do your physical and PAP here at Mayport it takes me month to get in and see my doctor. I know they surgery clinic will order Labs for you to do. Thanks.

Ladybug143 Once you get your referral you contact NAS Jax General Surgery and make an appointment. At my first appointment at NAS my doctor Captain James Flint went over all of the weight loss surgeries avliable ( lap band which they do not do on base you would be referred out, the sleeve and gastric bypass). He explained to be a canadate for the surgery BMI if 35 with a weight related disease or a BMI over 40. This appointment was short. Next step us to meet with the nurse coordinator Mrs. Masari (not sure on the spelling) when you see her she goes over all the requirements and the process. You will need a physical and PAP done if you have not had one recently. Start ship shape classes they are once a week two hour classes 8 weeks long. Durring the 8 week class you log your food and turn it in to the NUT. They except you to lose about 1-2 pounds a week doing this . About 4 weeks into class you will call to get referral for your physcologist appointment. You meet the physcologist one time they ask about your history and if you are prepared for this life changing surgery. You are also required to attend 5 support group meetings which are once a month at the General Surgery Clinic they are about an hour and a half long. You will also have an EDG done were they put a scope down your throat look in your stomach for ulcers, hernias. I live out in Mayport and had all my classes here but they are also avliable at NAS. Lastly I did not choose my surgeon but so far he is awesome. Takes time to answer all my questions and actually listens to me. I think I covered everything any more questions feel free to ask. Good luck

I will be watching this thread too. I am going to be sleeved around then end of August and like you have three children 8,6 and 2. My husband will be able to be home to care if the kids. Sorry I am no help to you. Good luck

Hey Everyone, I am new to the VTS group,but here it goes. I am in Jacksonville Fl, my husband is in the Navy and I should be having surgery in August at NAS JAX. I am beyond excited to have this surgery and start a new healthier life. I am a mom to 3 kids ages 8,6 and 2 so I am a little nervous about after surgery with my energy level and trying to keep up with my family. Also my 2 year old is very attached to me so it will be hard not being able to physically take care of him in the begining. Any advice or tips would be great. Thanks

I am a military wife having the sleeve done at a MTF. The program takes about 5 months from start until surgery date. They would like to see people lose 20% of their body weight. Their reasoning was they like to see that people are making the changes in their diet and how they eat and getting in exercise. I was also told it is ok if you don't lose the whole 20% as long as you do not gain weight durring the 5 months. So far I am 4 months in and I have lost 14 pounds my 20% would be 20 pounds. To lose the weight I have been using myfitnesspal to track my calories and I walk 3 miles at night about 5 times a week. Good luck to everyone. I should be getting my surgery date my next appointment on July 13th.

I am pre-op but I can tell you that I use coconut oil on my skin everyday and I made it thru three pregnancies with very little stretch marks. I swear by it.

I am also a military wife my husband is in the navy. I am having the sleeve done here in Jacksonville Fl. The hospital here preformes the surgery the requirements were to take a ship shape class that was 8 weeks long, have a physical, psych evaluation, EDG, and 5 support group meetings. The process is 5 months long. I am not sure but maybe you can do everything local and then have the procedure done here.