Kathy JB

DannyGirl 31, I don't know one thing about Lap-Band in TJ, but I have heard that when it comes time for band adjusting, it is hard to get a doctor who is willing to take another doctor's patient, especially if the surgery was done in a foreign country. I am looking into it because I live half the year in California and half the year in Wyoming. If I need a fill during the months that we are in Wyoming, I am hoping to find a doctor there who will do it. Then, too, you hope you can get a doctor to do it that accepts your particular insurance. It might be sticky!

San Diego Susan, Oh, Happy Day! It sounds like you are ready to go! I'm waiting on my date (June 19) with Dr. Thoman in Santa Barbara. It will be 6 weeks between the consultation date and surgery date. It is hard to wait!

NM Sunshine, You will love having two homes. My husband and I have done that for the past 13 years....1/2 the year in Star Valley, WY and 1/2 the year on Central Coast California. We may not get home this year because my surgery is scheduled for mid-June, and I know I need to stick around for at least 3 months. Maybe my hubby will go for a few weeks and do the yearly maintenance. I'd have to find a doctor in Salt Lake City who would be willing to do fills, and I don't know how hard that would be. Better I stick around, I think. Enjoy your new home. I love the variety, myself. We go from log home living to medium-sized city living. It's great fun!

NM Sunshine, You

Long2BFree, If you are in Santa Barbara County, I would imagine you may be seeing Dr. Thoman. I am scheduled for Lap-Band with him on June 19. Good luck with all the pre-op stuff! KathyJB

All this talk about protein.....I'm still in the process of getting all the pre-op tests done, but I'm trying to begin to eat like I'm going to have to post-op. I like salmon and I'm having about 3 to 4 oz. a day. I know salmon is one of the "fatter" fish types, but I also know it is good for you (at least pre-op). Will it be a good source of protein for me post-op, too?

As a mommy of 5, you must be a wonder woman. Our son has 6, so I know how busy your household must be. The only other extra expenses that I know of are any co-pays that you might have if your doctor wants you to see an off-base doctor for the pre-op tests. If I remember right, there is also a co-pay at the hospital with TriCare Prime. Check to see if your base has any dietician. It could save you that expense if your doctor is willing to work with him/her. Good Luck, Mama-- :wink2:Kathy JB

Hey Lilo... I

Mynmann- I went to my TriCare office and they said lapband is now covered. I was given a copy of the TriCare Policy Manual, which describes the patient as: 1. "The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints." 2. "The patient is 200% or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category." 3. "The patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown). "In determining the ideal body weight for morbid obesity using the Metropolitan Life Table, contractors must apply 100 pounds (or 200%) to both the lower and higher end of the weight range. Payment will be allowed when beneficiaries meet all requirements for morbid obesity surgery, including the ideal weight within the newly determined range." I'm going to check the TriCare office once again to make sure that they understood that it was Lap-Band that I was referring to, but I clearly told her it was Lap-Band that I was interested in, and she told me that as of December, 2007, it was covered. If I find out differently, I'll try to get back on this via your e-mail address. One expense that you might not be aware of is that of a dietician/nutritionist. My doctor requires a patient to meet with one before even seeing him. Additionally, you will see one periodically during your weight loss period. Mine will see me on the same day that I see the doctor, who is located an hour away from me in Santa Barbara. My dietician charges $60 for the first visit (it was an hour) and $45 for subsequent visits. TriCare won't pay for those visits because we have a dietician at Vandenburg AFB (central coast Calif). She is willing to work with me, of course at no charge, but she has to get the protocol from the doctor in Santa Barbara because she hasn't handled the bariatric patients before. I'm hopeful that the Santa Barbara dietician and doctor will o.k. that, but if not, the number of visits won't be so many that I can't pay out of pocket. Don't give up hope.

Mynmann- I went to my TriCare office and they said lapband is now covered. I was given a copy of the TriCare Policy Manual, which describes the patient as: 1. "The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints." 2. "The patient is 200% or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category." 3. "The patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery (a takedown). "In determining the ideal body weight for morbid obesity using the Metropolitan Life Table, contractors must apply 100 pounds (or 200%) to both the lower and higher end of the weight range. Payment will be allowed when beneficiaries meet all requirements for morbid obesity surgery, including the ideal weight within the newly determined range." I'm going to check the TriCare office once again to make sure that they understood that it was Lap-Band that I was referring to, but I clearly told her it was Lap-Band that I was interested in, and she told me that as of December, 2007, it was covered. If I find out differently, I'll try to get back on this via your e-mail address. One expense that you might not be aware of is that of a dietician/nutritionist. My doctor requires a patient to meet with one before even seeing him. Additionally, you will see one periodically during your weight loss period. Mine will see me on the same day that I see the doctor, who is located an hour away from me in Santa Barbara. My dietician charges $60 for the first visit (it was an hour) and $45 for subsequent visits. TriCare won't pay for those visits because we have a dietician at Vandenburg AFB (central coast Calif). She is willing to work with me, of course at no charge, but she has to get the protocol from the doctor in Santa Barbara because she hasn't handled the bariatric patients before. I'm hopeful that the Santa Barbara dietician and doctor will o.k. that, but if not, the number of visits won't be so many that I can't pay out of pocket.

Hi Girlies, I'm older than anyone that I've seen posted on this site, so I am wondering if there is anyone my age who has had Lap-Band done. I'm 63 years old; I've had diabetes for 10 years and been on meds for that, high blood pressure and cholesterol for all that time. Luckily all my numbers are in good ranges and I am pretty healthy. Some people, including one doctor, say that I am not fat enough to go the Lap-Band route. I weigh 225, and am 5' 4", and I wonder how much larger he thinks I need to be before I have this done. Or older? :biggrin: My diabetes doctor thinks this is a good idea because meds won't take care of my diabetes indefinitely, and I don't want to go on insulin. So I'm off on a new adventure...an adventure for the rest of my life. I am still jumping through the hoops that my doctor requires before I ever see him. I appreciate his diligence, although it takes a lot of time to do all this, and I wish that I could get the show on the road faster. However, I am having the most thorough check-ups that I have had in my life. Today I go for 4 different heart checks.:biggrin: It is all for the best! I can wait. I've seen the dietician and had long discussions with her and go to two seminars next week, one by the doctor and one by the dietician. They are thorough! I have recently rejoined the YMCA and go daily to classes for seniors and take aqua exercise. Thought I'd get started early. My doctor requires we loose some weight first, and I've got only 7 or 8 to go. So the process is coming along. Do any of you know of someone my age having Lap-Band? I feel that I am healthy enough and have many years ahead of me that I want to be good ones, so I am feeling charged to do this. Any words of encouragement from all you ladies over 50? :smile:Kathy JB

You go, Girl! You're doing it for all the right reasons. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your healthy life. Kathy JB