Aloha from Hawaii !!

christi.jones08 · 08-26-2008, 12:57 AM

Aloha, My name is Christi. I have been a lurker since earlier in the year. I am a military spouse and in January Tricare started to approve the LAP-BAND® surgery and that is where my journey began. One of the things that is both a pro and a con about having the surgery at a military hospital is that they set up their own education program and requirements that you have to go through and that is where I am at now. I have been approved for the surgery, I have gone through nutrition classes , been followed by my nutritionist for 4 months, gone to the psychiatrist to make sure my head is screwed on correctly, go on the mandatory monthly walks, record my daily excercise logs, and go to the quarterly weigh ins. We are required (unless medical reason) to try and lose 5% of our weight prior to surgery of which I have lost 7 lbs out of the 13 required. I am medically excused, however, since I have PCOS but I am trying to loose and not gain.

I have been overweight most of my adult life. I was diagnosed with PCOS two years ago after years of doctors that didn't know. I did not have a problem having kids(I have 3 kids 15, 10 and 8), I didn't have PCOS until I had my tubal ligation in 2000. I gained 120 lbs after having my tubes tied.

I have been told by the bariatric coordinator that my surgery is tentativly scheduled, however, they won't tell me because it is subject to change

.

Look forward to learning more with everyone here!

Thanks,

Christi

leelee7 · 08-26-2008, 02:38 AM

Hi Christi, my name is Jodi and I am a wife of a retired Army Command Sergeant Major. Of course we have been retired for a lot of years now but live in Texas close to Fort Hood. I had my LAP-BAND® surgery on July 14th of this year and so far I am happy with the progress that I am having. I had my first fill on August 11th and it was very simple, no pain involved...nothing of what I was expecting. I still don't feel restriction yet, but know that is something that comes with time. Tricare does take time to make their decision on whether to grant you the surgery or not, I was fortunate I guess that I got mine in less than a year from application. I applied in January and took my seminar in March, saw the shrink two times in March and April and started Nutrition classes in May. I was notified by Tricare that I was accepted for the surgery in June and began my liquid diet the first day of July for my scheduled surgery 14 July. Keep the faith...and I will be pulling for you from this end. Jodi

christi.jones08 · 08-26-2008, 03:56 AM

Congrats on your surgery! I have been approved, it is just the Tripler program I am working through! I know they want us to be educated and that is a good thing.

annecolorgreen · 08-26-2008, 05:20 AM

I have been told by the bariatric coordinator that my surgery is tentativly scheduled, however, they won't tell me because it is subject to change

That's no surprise! Both my sons are in the Army and things/dates seem to change on a daily basis!

Good luck to you...sounds like you are on the right track!

Aloha!

~~anne

teenasline · 08-26-2008, 06:28 AM

hi i had my band put on 8/25/08 it went well i to have tricare and i went to my seminar on may 21 08 and i was aproved i 90 days i thought that was fast i am happy i did 2 weeks of liver diet to shrink it that is and lost 14 pounds day of surgery 259 today is the first day after band put in place and i cant sleep so i dropped you a line good luck

Brandy~ · 08-26-2008, 01:35 PM

Congrats sounds like you all are doing well!

christi.jones08 · 08-26-2008, 05:11 PM

Hi all, Well I had my weight check with the surgery clinic today and I was greeted by the bariatric coordinator who weighed me and put me in a room to tell me that they are going to bring me in for a preop appointment on September 2nd and that my surgery can possibly be either September 4th or October 16th. The surgeon will determine on the 2nd. I am excited and nervous all together!

christi.jones08 · 08-26-2008, 05:16 PM

Brandy, Congrats on your wedding in Kauai. I actually live on Oahu and work for a wedding planner. Enjoy your time in the islands.

**Kat817** · 08-26-2008, 05:27 PM

Hi Christi,
Congrats on the upcoming surgery!!!
My DD and her DH were stationed for 4 years at Schofield Barracks in Oahu. I miss going to visit her!!! Was a wonderful vacation for Mom. I think now how wonderful it would be to go, and be comfortable on the beach!!! Not embarrassed! Oh well, he is out now, and I just don't think I could talk him into re-upping so I could go visit Hawaii again!!!!

Look forward to hearing of your progress, welcome to LBT!
Kat