rhonda435

9/09/2010  Well today starts the journey. I went to see my PCM ( military lingo for family doctor) He sent the referral in for me to see Lap-Band surgeon. I have a friend who had it 2 years ago. ( also a military wife). I am going to see her doctor when i get the referral. I will update more when i get the referral. Should take 3-5 days.9/14/2010I didn't get a referral to the doctor i wanted. But.....I got a call from Novus Center. They received my referral and scheduled me for a seminar this Thursday 9/16. That's the 1st step. Seminar will tell me about the 3 options they offer (bypass/sleeve/band). I have already done the research and positive i want the band. I will update when i know more. 9/16/2010 Just got back from the seminar. I met 1 of the 3 doctors that practice together. He was very laid back and informative. They made me an appointment for 9/22 which they consider the initial consult. Go over what my insurance will pay. But when they were booking my appt they said Tricare patients are easy to approve and i should be having surgery in about a month. My husband leaves Sept 28th for a month so if they give me a date i will have to make it after 10/31. But everything is going as planned so far. :) I will update more after my appt on 9/22.  09/22/2010 I went to my appointment today and was told 100% would be covered by my insurance :) I have another appt scheduled for 9/27 for orientation. They said it is where i will fill out lots of paper work and get my dates to have  my Psyc and nutrition eval done. After that all that will be left is to have the upper GI and surgeon consult. Trudging along. I really can't believe how fast this is going so far. Really hoping it all goes this smooth. I will update more on 9/27. 09/27/2010 Went to what they called the orientation. More info about stuff i already researched :)  But they gave me my appts for the upper GI, nutrition eval, and psyc eval those all will be done Oct 20th. Then when i got home the office called and made me a apptto see the surgeon. I finallly know my surgeons name too. Dr. Whelchel. That is Thursday. 9/30. They gave me the pre op diet info. No liquid diet for pre-op. That's a relief. Even though i would have done it. I am so ready to get my skinny on. lol. Will update more after my appt on 9/30. 09/30/2010Well i met the surgeon today. He was nice, listened, asked me good questions and wasn't in a hurry to leave the room. ( like most  i encounter) I didn't  get a  surgery date :( because i have to have my GI results back. So now we wait until Oct 20th. That is my next appt date to have the upper Gi, psyc and nutrition appt done. Then i can get my date. I am excited and ready. Come on Oct 20th! 10/20/2010  Well i just got home from all my appointments. Over all everything went well. The GI was the worst. Taste so bad. But I'm officially done with the pre op process. I had a progress review and they are now waiting on my primary care doctor to sign off then we send to insurance.(i called my doctor today and they received the request) They said my insurance only takes 2 days to process and get an answer back. So hopefully some time next week i will have a date:) I would love to get it done 11/10/2010. It just works with my work schedule and my husbands schedule. We will see fingers crossed. I will update as soon as i know anything new.