Cadets71

I am so sorry to hear your plight! I am not in your same situation but my heart goes out to you. I think I would be on the phone calling all of the university centers in your area. I have found them more than willing to answer questions and discuss their programs. Also, ask your Primary Care Physician to get involved and recommend some resources for you. I wish you all the best and I will keep you in my prayers. You are strong and you are doing the right thing by looking for solutions! Sending you a HUG! Mary in Las Vegas

I am seeing Dr. Teng as well. I had my appt with him yesterday. His office is a little crazy but I really have a lot of confidence in him. I like his approach and involvement. Exactly how far along are you? Let's stay in touch. I would be going to his support group next week but I will be out of town. If you go, let me know how it was. Mary

Hi! I live in Henderson (Sun City Anthem). I have done the whole process and am now waiting for insurance approval and scheduling. I have Tricare and hope that they will not be difficult. I'd love to have a buddy. Who is doing your surgery? Mary in Las Vegas :redface:

Yes, I think we might be back in business now. No more molasses...

Me too!! I feel like I lost a friend!!!

I am so excited; I am now waiting to hear on my insurance approval and I will be banded in June!! I have great insurance and don't expect a problem because I meet every requirement and have 4 co-morbidities. I feel confident in my choice of Surgeon and in my decision. I want to say that this confidence is in large part due to all I have learned in this forum. Thank you to all of of you who post here. Your stories, insights, struggles, and achievements have prepared me for what's ahead and I am very grateful!! Hugs, Mary in Las Vegas

I hope you will be able to stop smoking! I quit 4 years ago when I ended up in the ER with chest pain and then a cardiac stent. My doctor brought me a package of "Nicotrol Inhalers". They are made by Pfizer and you never see them advertised. Basically they look like a cigarett holder (they are white plastic). They twist open in the center and you insert a little cartridge of nicotine. You can then inhale the nicotine. What I loved and appreciated was that I could gradually break all the hand to mouth motions. I took it into meetings - everywhere. Over about a two month period, I would forget to bring it here or there and then one day I realized I didn't need it at all. I think it saved my life. Elective surgery (like the lapband) makes doctors even more conservative in their prepation and approach. If you have cancer and you smoke - they are going to take the surgical risk. Smoking wreaks havoc on the lungs and the lapband requires general anesthesia so the risk is exponential. I was a BIG smoker and I loved my ciggies! Really, if I can do it, so can you! I wish you all the best!! Mary

I am so sorry about your experience. When I was researching Doctors, I came across one in Southern California. He does surgery in North San Diego and in LA. I was going to go to him until I found a doctor in Las Vegas. I liked his program, his staff, and their approach. Check out his web site: Coastal Center for Obesity, Gastric Bypass and Lapband Weight Loss Surgery in Los Angeles and Orange County, California Good Luck! Mary

TRICARE Now Covers "Lap-Band" Surgery Military.com | TRICARE Press Room | January 16, 2008 FALLS CHURCH, VA. - TRICARE beneficiaries whose weight poses a serious health risk now have a new surgical alternative available. For those who medically qualify, TRICARE now covers laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, also commonly called Lap-Band surgery. Although the TRICARE policy change has only recently been made, coverage is retroactive to February 1st, 2007. "We at TRICARE are careful to only cover procedures that have been proven safe and effective, and are accepted by the medical community," said Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director of the TRICARE Management Activity. "We've added this procedure because, for some beneficiaries, it may be the right course of action to preserve their health." Granger adds that, like gastric bypass, gastric stapling or gastroplasty, Lap-Band surgery is only for those suffering morbid obesity. In medical terms, that means their body weight is 100 pounds over ideal weight for their height and bone structure, and their weight is associated with severe medical conditions known to have higher mortality rates. Body weight that is more than twice the ideal weight for the person's height and bone structure may also indicate morbid obesity. In addition, TRICARE will cover the surgery if a patient has had an intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and, because of complications, requires a second surgery. Details of the coverage are available in the TRICARE Policy Manual, which beneficiaries can view online. A search for "morbid obesity" goes directly to the correct section. Soiic, Call Tricare and give them the above reference. ASK TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. YOU ARE GETTING BAD INFORMATION AND THAT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. You do NOT have to appeal their mistake. Get a Supervisor and arrange to have your Doctor resubmit for approval - kdirectly to that person. Please let me know what happens. I negotiated these contracts when I was on active duty. It infuriates me that our beneficiaries have these problems!! Mary

Stoiic, I am assuming you are Tricare Prime? If so, get a list of Prime providers and go to a lap band seminar. At both seminars I attended, the Doctors said they could give you the names of PCMs that are supportive of the surgery. Ask them to look at your list and see if there is anyone they can recommend. If you are Tircare Standard - no problem; it is easy to change PCMs. Good luck, Mary

What did they make you drink?? This is the first time I have read that anyone had to drink something. Was it done with flouoscopy? Thanks, Mary

Has anyone had any experience with Dr. Teng or Dr. Atkinson in Las Vegas? I am thinking about going out of state unless I can find some references. Thanks, Mary

My Doctor says that after he places the band, he "flips" the stomach up and sutures it to itself to prevent slippage. Have any of you heard of this technique? Sounds like extra pain to me. I can't find it on any of the tapes and presentations I have read. Thanks for your input. Mary :confused2:

Thanks for that input!! I agree that it sounded good to keep the band in place...but I wondered about folding the stomach over and suturing it. Sometimes it's not good to know too much! Mary:rolleyes2:

Molly, You hang in there!!! I worked in the government for 21 years and for the government for another 17. I know how uniquely tough it can be! You are strong and you are ding all the right things. Just take care of you. This guy is just a blip on the radar screen of what's really important. Sending you hugs and lots of positive thoughts! Mary

Thanks, Gracey! Sounds wonderful. Mary

Gracie, What Protein shakes are you drinking? You seem very happy with them. Mary

I am aware of the MGB because I live in Las Vegas and that is one of the 2 locales where this surgery is done. The surgery is not really new - in fact it is about 20+ years old and is considered dangerous and fraught with risk by main stream physicians. I was surprised at the two different lap band seminars I attended - both of the surgeons addressed this surgery and cautioned to avoid it at all costs. Note that no insurance will pay for this procedure and all of the MGB patients are self-pay. According to a local bariatric surgeon of some repute, the Doctor performing these surgeries in Las Vegas was run out of South Carolina and California. So, as in so many things - let the buyer (patient) beware. Mary :ohmy:

Hi, Mary. I am always hot - since I started menopause. Not so much hot flashes anymore, but defiinitely sweating in the bajthroom and in the kitchen when I am cooking. I am hypothyroid, have controlled hypertension. I just attributed it to a "broken thermostat" for the past 6 years. Mary

I had to pay $225 to the nutritionist; it doesn't look like Tricare will pay for that. Has anyone had success putting in a claim for the nutrition consult? Mary

I think your idea is wonderful! It would be so helpful if there was just a section on Protein drinks andsoft foods. Those of us not banded yet cuold really use something like that! I don't have a single recipe to contribute, but I would like the book!! Mary :tongue:

I am not a physician, but my understanding of band erosion is Not that the band itself erodes but rather that it erodes into your stomach muscle. It would not necessarily take very long for that to happen. I hope you will be okay and that you'll be fixed up in no time. Mary

I have a quick question on the acronyms I am seeing here. What is PB, NSV and DH? There may be others but these seem to be recurring. Thanks, Mary:confused2:

Hi, I thought the band was around your stomach, creating a smaller pouch NOT around your esophagus. Am I missing something? Mary