gina s.

Hi everyone! I'm glad that everyone seems to be doing so well. I haven't posted in a while but I do get on here and browse around from time to time to keep up with everyone. I don't know why but it seems like I've been really busy since my daughter started school. She's my only child so I thought that I'd have tons of extra time on my hands but I feel like I never have enough! But that's good, less time to think about food! I'm still losing weight, slowly but surely. I haven't really gotten stuck yet, I have stayed the same weight for a week or two but it is always because I've slacked on eating right and exercising. As long as I do those two things, the pounds come off. My long term goal was 100 lbs. by the one year mark, and I'm over halfway there. I think I might make it, but I know that I'm going to have to step up the exercising soon if I'm going to get there. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and kind of check in. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

That's what I was told also....BMI doesn't matter. It's strictly case by case as long as you have the 100 extra pounds and a health problem that will be improved by loosing weight.

Hi! I'm happy to see that everyone is doing well. I had a check-up and another fill today. I've lost 40 lbs. and received an additional .25 cc to make a total of 5.75 cc's. I get to go back for another in two weeks, and I already know I'm going to need it! I still feel hungry alot. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great week!!!

I only had one, and I also got approved and had surgery in June. Through the whole process no one ever told me that I needed more than one.

I don't mind one bit! You can pm me anytime you have a question! And don't forget to keep us updated!

Here's the number if you haven't already gotten it: (254) 724-2397. They should be able to tell you what you need to do next.

My PCP is with the Family's Clinic in Copperas Cove. And to be honest, the main reason I chose Scott and White was so I wouldn't have to drive so far. And I can say that I did and continue to recieve great care.

Hi! I hope everything goes well for you!

The bariatric program where I go is also listed as a center of excellence. I didn't have to do any additional testing. In fact, all I had to do was a psych eval, EKG, and lab work.

I don't know about at SW, but at Scott and White I go for fills every two-three weeks. I don't know why your doctor automatically referred you there, mine gave me three choices: I could go to San Antonio and have it done on base, I could go to SW in Austin, or I could go to Scott and White in Temple. Proudestmom, you could go ahead and start scheduling your psych eval. If you are going through Scott and White, they recommend using the Chupik Counseling Center. There is an office here in Killeen, you can self-refer. All I did was call them and explain that I needed a psych eval for WLS, and they took care of getting the insurance approved and everything. Let me know if you want their number, good luck!

I hope you don't have a hard time. For me, everything was extremely easy except for the time spent waiting between appointments.

Mine was the other way around....I got approved only for the consult, after the consult the surgeon's office sent in the info to Tricare to get approval for the surgery.

I have Tricare Prime South too, and I went to Scott and White. I haven't had to pay a co-pay for anything.

I had to take those also, it's just a blood clot preventative.

Breanna, I don't think you will have any problems. I am 5'7.5'' and the weight they sent in to Tricare was 243. I did have a co-morbidity though. But to answer your question, no one ever measured my wrists or seemed to show any concern about my frame size whatsoever.

ArmyWife, I totally agree with leelee, I was very happy with the whole process at Scott and White. I did have to wait a little, but I thought the wait was more than worth it to not have to drive to Austin every two weeks. Plus, the nurse who does the fills is great and she really cares about how we are doing, and she's had her own band for two years so she really knows what we're going through.

I only had the psych evaluation to do on my own, and Tricare paid for that. I didn't have to do a sleep study, and all of my pre-op testing was done by the hospital where I had my surgery (I went to a civilian hospital). All I had to pay was a $25 co-pay for the hospital stay. But it seems different for some people so I can only tell you what I paid, I'm not sure about everyone else.

Congratulations!!!

"Lap-Band For Life" by Ariel Ortiz Lagardere is the one that was recommended to me.

Well, I've lost 33lbs. which is one-third of my goal weight, so all I have to do is repeat two times and I will be there!!! I still don't have much restriction though, I had that total unfill a few weeks ago and didn't get much back with my first re-fill. I get another fill in a week, and I really need it! Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well and I can't wait to see where we are after the next three months (December, uh-ohh!!)!.

I didn't have to do much. I got the referral from my primary doctor to see the surgeon and from there on out the only things I had to do were what the surgeon required. I had to go to a seminar and get a psych eval done, and then at my initial consult I had a meeting with a dietician, nurse practitioner (for family history and to determine if I needed additional testing before surgery), the surgeon, and the business office (for insurance info). Then I had to go to one support group meeting and wait for them to get the surgery approved. Once the surgery was approved, I had a pre-op appointment that included bloodwork and an EKG. And then I did my pre-op diet and had the surgery. But not everyone has to do the same things, it depends on the doctor. I know some of them require seeing a nutritionist every week, or sleep studies, or other tests if you have had health problems. Another difference is whether you get the surgery on post or by a civilian. I really had a pretty easy time, I hope you do also.

So I went for my third fill yesterday morning, she put in one cc to bring my total up to 6cc's in a 10cc band. She gave me my cup of water, I drank it with no problems and went home. I didn't eat anything since I'm supposed to do liquids for twenty-four hours. I did keep sipping on some water though, until I started sliming and throwing up late in the afternoon (of course after the clinic closed). It kept happening, plus I started feeling a very uncomfortable pressure in my chest that wouldn't go away, so I went to the E.R. The doctor checked me out, called my surgeon, and he told them to take ALL of the fluid out of my band. I feel better, but now I have to start all over again, plus I can't get a fill for a month. I was feeling really bad about having to go to the E.R. for this, but the doctor told me it happens at least a few times a month so that made me feel a little better. Anyway, I'm feeling a little discouraged because I was doing so well and now I'm back where I started (kind of makes me feel like I failed).....I just wrote this to vent and get it off my chest.

Yay! Robin is right, the time will fly by....that's only 2 and 1/2 months!

I forgot about this, but last week I was able to start wearing my size sixteen clothes again! And they fit perfectly, they weren't even tight! I tried some fourteens on too, and could get them on but not buttoned or zipped....but I'm getting close!

Thanks Greyhoundmom and Judy! My surgeon said sometimes your stomach will swell more than usual after a fill and cause you to not be able to get anything through. He said it was no big deal, it happens. And he also told me that it didn't neccessarily mean that my band was too tight, I might be able to hold that much if my stomach doesn't swell much. I know that at 5cc's, I need more fills. At my next appointment they are going to give me .5 and see how I do on that.