eazes

My PCM's nurse called me to tell me that my referral was submitted yesterday and I should receive a letter within a week. I'm going to call the insurance company tonight to see what the status is. Even though it takes a week for the letter you can be approved within 1-2 days. I'm so excited right now. I can't wait until I get the letter.

I haven't told my supervisor. I really don't plan on it. I know she would understand though. I just told her that I was going to have surgery in the next few months but I just don't when it is going to be. I have no intention on telling her.

The nurse didn't say anything to me about needing to know my history. She just told me I would have to attend 2 seminars (actually going to one next week), see a nutritionist, psych eval, and fitness physiologist. I'm hoping everything goes quickly. I would like to be banded before school starts up again. I know nothing is definite until they actually schedule it but that's what I'm shooting for that is if everything goes my way.

I spoke with the doctor's nurse that is in my area that is TriCare approved and she told me all the things I'd have to do before I could have the surgery. Now the only hang up is getting ahold of my PCM to get the referral put in. They never seem to have any appointments available.

There are a few doctors that have done some but they are too far away from my home. I'm going to schedule with the closest doc if I can. I'm sure he can do it. I know I'll have to jump through numerous hurdles before my surgery date so I'm sure he'll have a few bands under his belt before me. LOL Thanks for the well wishes I appreciate it.

I contacted the nurse of the doctor who would be doing my procedure once my referral goes through. She told me all the things I would have to do. I have to attend 2 classes (group & 1 on 1), see a psychiatrist, nutritionist, and a fitness physiologist. The doctor she works for is not going to start doing lap bands until June so even if I get the ball rolling I don't know how many people are in front of me. I hope I don't have to wait too long. My supervisor is leaving for a few months and it will be VERY hard for me to get time off. I was hoping I could get it done in July and be back to work before she leaves. It may or may not be possible but that's what I'm shooting for. The nurse also gave me the information on the first class I am required to attend (group). I'm going to attend that class later this month and knock that out. For the rest of the classes/meetings I have to wait until my referral goes through. It's okay though. It's well worth the wait. In the mean time I'll continue what I normally do and continue to lose weight.

I was wondering where all the tricare people were. LOL I'm also with Tricare. My doc tried to talk to me about bypass but I just found out that they now do lap band. I even have a friend that's going to look into having it done. I can't wait!

Hi I'm new also. I joined just this month. I'm going through the process of getting my referral put in. I'm 29 with 2 kids and a dog. Well I guess I should say 3 kids. LOL

I know how you feel. When my husband goes on business trips instead of cooking (even though I have a house full of groceries) I prefer to eat out. I know I can overcome this and so can you. If we have to we can brainstorm together. Stay strong!

I finally got word to my doctor that I wanted him to put in a referral for me to have the Lap Band. I should hear back from him either today or tomorrow if he was able to. For some reason I'm kind of nervous. Not in a bad way through. I guess it's more excitement than anything else. I haven't told my husband what I plan to do yet. I want to meet with the surgeon and make sure that it's a go before I bring it up. I know he would be supportive of it. I just don't know how his initial reaction will be. He's really big on losing weight naturally and doesn't believe in "fad" diets. I know I just have to explain to him that this is not a diet but a tool to help me on my weight loss journey. Once he sees how much this means to me I know he will jump on board. I even talked to my supervisor and told her that I may be having surgery in the near future and she said that I could work from home and just put in a couple hours here at the office during the week that I would need to be off so I can stay in the system. She was really nice about it and very accomodating. I love working under her and for the company. Well here's to waiting by the phone. :thumbup: Actually maybe I should call my insurance company to see if he put in the referral. :thumbup:

I finally got word to my doctor that I wanted him to put in a referral for me to have the Lap Band. I should hear back from him either today or tomorrow if he was able to. For some reason I'm kind of nervous. Not in a bad way through. I guess it's more excitement than anything else. I haven't told my husband what I plan to do yet. I want to meet with the surgeon and make sure that it's a go before I bring it up. I know he would be supportive of it. I just don't know how his initial reaction will be. He's really big on losing weight naturally and doesn't believe in "fad" diets. I know I just have to explain to him that this is not a diet but a tool to help me on my weight loss journey. Once he sees how much this means to me I know he will jump on board. I even talked to my supervisor and told her that I may be having surgery in the near future and she said that I could work from home and just put in a couple hours here at the office during the week that I would need to be off so I can stay in the system. She was really nice about it and very accomodating. I love working under her and for the company. Well here's to waiting by the phone. :thumbs_up: Actually maybe I should call my insurance company to see if he put in the referral.

I used to smoke but I recently quit. I started when I was 18 but then I quit when my hubby and I started our family but then military/work stress caused me to take it up again. I just quit yet again so I know I can stay smoke free forever. I did it for 5 yrs so I know I can do it for even longer. Although I must admit it's harder the second time around. I find myself giving myself little pep talks in the car to stop me from going to a gas station to buy a pack. LOL 2 months down, the rest of my life to go!!

I don't think so. There is a doctor here in Beaufort that does it. I spoke to his nurse and she said he used to only do Gastric Bypass but he's starting to do Lap Bands also. He'll start in June. I'm hoping that I can get in with him because I wouldn't have to travel far from my home.

I'm in Beaufort.

Congrats...I'm a military wife too. It's good to see I'm not the only one.

Hi everyone. I've being trying to lose weight for about 4 yrs now. I've had my moments when I would lose a lot of weight but something would happen and I'd "fall off the wagon". I know that this surgery is not a quick fix and I wouldn't want it to be. I am dedicated to my health and have rededicated myself to reshaping my body into a healthy one. I guess what I am trying to say is I have a few questions about the procedure. 1. How long was your hospital stay? 2. I have a desk job with no heavy lifting...How soon would I be able to get back to work? I guess that's all for now. Thank you in advance.

What did they have you do and what did they do to you?

I can't really choose my doctor unless there are few in the immediate area. The way my insurance works they will choose one closest to home for me. It sucks but not all doctors accept my insurance.

I've just started gathering as much information as possible for me to get banded. I am going to attend my first seminar later this month. I'm hoping to get it done in July. Later this month I'm going to ask my doctor to put in a referral for me. He already asked me about gastric bypass but I know that is not for me. Let me know how everything goes and I'll do the same for you.

Congrats and good luck with everything!

Oh wow lucky you! How long did you have to wait before you got your surgery date?

From the information that I have gathered... 1. Productive Burp or something to that effect - I know it means when you burp back up some of your food because you ate too fast or too much. I'm sure someone who has had this happen can clarify a lot better than I can. 2. You can drink but you shouldn't drink carbonated beverages. You can drink non carbonated like wine. As for questions 3 & 4 I can't answer I haven't gone through my procedure yet. I'm in the process of getting my referral from my doctor. I'm going in at the end of the month. I'm frantically trying to get in early but no such luck. Keep your head up!

I contacted the nurse of the doctor who would be doing my procedure once my referral goes through. She told me all the things I would have to do. I have to attend 2 classes (group & 1 on 1), see a psychiatrist, nutritionist, and a fitness physiologist. The doctor she works for is not going to start doing lap bands until June so even if I get the ball rolling I don't know how many people are in front of me. I hope I don't have to wait too long. My supervisor is leaving for a few months and it will be VERY hard for me to get time off. I was hoping I could get it done in July and be back to work before she leaves. It may or may not be possible but that's what I'm shooting for. The nurse also gave me the information on the first class I am required to attend (group). I'm going to attend that class later this month and knock that out. For the rest of the classes/meetings I have to wait until my referral goes through. It's okay though. It's well worth the wait. In the mean time I'll continue what I normally do and continue to lose weight.

This morning I've decided that I'm going to talk to my doctor about having the lap band done. I've already check with my insurance company and they will cover it so now all I have to do is go visit my doctor and have him put in a referral for me to see a general surgeon. Apparently the general surgeon will have the final say in whether or not I am a good candidate. From what I have read I meet all the qualifications and at my previous appointment my doctor talked about gastric bypass but I really didn't want to have my insides re-routed so I looked into this. I mean I kind of dabbled in it before but I just though I could do it without that sort of help. I know now that this is not a way out of exercising and dieting but a tool to help supplement those good habits. I'm ready and I can't wait to see my doctor to tell him also.