Lilpeach_059

For me (and I think everybody else that didnt/doesnt use MD's on base) it went like this (Tricare Prime): 1. Go see PCM, tell them you are interested in Lapband surgery and/or you need a referral to see "Dr. Lapband-Surgeon." Just make sure the surgeon you pick out accepts Tricare 2. Call "Dr. Lapband-Surgeon" and tell him you want the surgery and find out what you need to do at this point. (Also make sure your referral went through...I cant see why it should be denied) The rest of the steps went like this for me: The lapband surgeon required seminar, Pulm clearance, nutrition visit, psyc eval, TSH level and letter from PCM saying I was cleared for lapband surgery...letter had to say at minimum my height, weight and BMI. My PCM added a lot of extra including previous failed diets, possible co-morbidities and any other health issues. He then faxed this to Tricare and I followed everything (status of referrals and whether the actual lapband procedure was approved or denied) on humanamilitary.com. Hope this helps

How long did it take to go away and what helped with the discomfort. I feel extremely bloated and a little weak.

OMG! Same thing happened to me! I left the hospital with the "grapefruit" for a port and it finally seemed to get better until yesterday. Last night I woke up in a pool of blood so I went to see my surgeon. He said the same thing... "big hematoma." My blood has a light funky lil smell to it but the surgeon said it wasnt infected...I didnt ask him to smell it tho...I was/am in a good bit of pain. I hope some others with similar experiences chime in because Im just as worried. :biggrin:

Dr. Scott Steinberg is located in Decatur, Georgia...please move this.

Mines does ...Im only 9 days post-op but I think it will protrude a bit because the rest of my tummy has gone down except the port site. I know the port site can stay sore/swollen for 6 weeks...so I guess I'll see in 6 weeks if it goes down any. But I can suck my tummy all the way in..and there is a lump where my port is. I noticed you have a realize-c band...so do I.

I am 9 days post-op and I feel the same way! I dont feel that "full" feeling that got me this fat anymore...but I do miss it. I dont miss it more than I want to be healthy...thats for sure! I was having this convo with my mom, she asked me if I get full faster but I told her I didnt know! She was like ....I told her that I just sip a little (still on full liquids for 12 more days:rolleyes:) and then hunger just kinda goes away.

I agree, thats one of the reasons why I elected not to tell so many people. Also people say that the dangers from the actual procedure are not worth losing the weight (:biggrin: right). Or; that the complications and the new lifestyle arent worth the weight you lose.

My surgery was moved from 930 to 11am on july 23 2009. Then the surgery was delayed until about 3. Surgery started at about 340 and i was out by 420. I woke up in recovery in severe pain and once i was stable i was sent to my room. My surgeon did require an overnight stay which was ok with me. I read about people having to share rooms and i really didnt want to do that and i have a history of mrsa (aug 2008) so i reminded my surgeon and he made sure i got a private room. So when i get up to the room my sis and nephew wanted to to say hi because none of my family could come. im assuming my know it all nurse went straight to the charge nurse instead of asking me the patient about my health history. so in walks the charge nurse explaining why im in isolation and i tried to explain that i am negative for mrsa but shes the charge nurse so she knows everything...so she just overtalked me. but she then tells me that my nephew does not need to be in my room!! My nephew that i live with? The same nephew that i babysit almost everday and take naps with almost everyday? I really did not like how they made assumptions without asking me, or checking my chart or askinb the person allowed to talk for me if the need arised; my sister. But other than a few bad nurses and my my port area being swollen to the size of a grapefruit my stay was ok. I was discharged the next evening. I do have a sore throat and gas pains in my belly.

Thanks so much!! Im starting feel like everything is ok. Just tired of being bloated and looking four months preggo on top of that!!!

Thanks everyone!

Thanks soooo much!!! I was sure that everyone would have some type of swelling/bloating...but it looks like they accidently put a grapefruit instead of a port in my main incision lol. Thanks again, i feel sooo much better/normal!!!!!!

My surgeon said it was ok, I still didnt feel right so my nurse at the hosptal called his office and one of the other surgeons there, said she would come by and do bloodwork and check me out.The bloodwork came back satisfactory and she said the swelling was normal. I stiil feel a little uneasy :biggrin:...

I have 2 squeems so far...and I love mine too! :tongue2: How long did you wait after getting the band to start back wearing your squeem? I cant believe you found them at Walgreens :biggrin:...gotta check out my local Walgreens!!

Thanks.:tongue2: So it looks like I have a grapefruit, not a port under there...it hasnt gotten bigger, so I know thats a good thing. So large grapefruit sized is pretty normal? Thanks again!! :biggrin:

Thanks again every one...my port area looks like a very large grapefruit is under my skin. Does everybody else have general swelling, or is anybody else swollen more in one place only?

I just got banded July 23 and where my port, I have a knot the size of a huge grapefruit...so Im sad just thinking about having a complication with this band. :-( So if my post seemed a little rude, it was not intentional just me thinking in terms of working so hard for something and losing it before you even get to use it. But I know you were not directing that comment at me, im just home now in my own bed able to think a little clear. But not to hijack....but was your tummy swollen where the port is located? My surgeon (and another one in his group said it was fine)...im not so sure...any advice would be appreciated!

i think it increases your chances of ur band slipping. i kno its hard but it will b harder if u lost the band due to slippage.

Thanks so much! I was a little worried.

ok, i went back and found it....its something along the lines of i lap place gastr adj device hospital doctor date submitted date approved outpatient bariatric surgery they approved me in about three hrs so hopefully u will get yours really soon!

when the surgery is approved it will say something like....approved one visit lap or gastric band placemen. if you look up my posts you will find where i posted exactly how tricare words it. i would find it and post it here but im on my cell. hope this helps and good luck!

i hope everyone has a good banding today and a speedy recovery.

My surgery was for 9am so i wasnt worried about being npo after midnight...but now they pushed it back to 2pm!!! Im so nervous, but ive been keeping calm!