Tricare lap-band revision from Texas

[Ellie Mae]

Hello, I'm happy to be here. I've visited with two doctors in my area (Houston) and am working on completing requirements for my insurance. Although my lap-band was self-pay in 2005, I've learned that getting a revision approval from Tricare is difficult and I don't have a medical reason for the band removal other than it sucks. But I am bound and determined. After wanting the bypass for a long time I became set on the DS after learning about it. But finding a doctor that does it and accepts my insurance has been a nightmare. Don't say Ayoola. Doesn't take Tricare. Current doc is Yu but considering move to Scarborough bc I'm not feeling good about Yu at this point. I've also begun to question the DS because I can not have stomach rumbling and gas issues at work as a professional clinician who sits alone with clients in a quiet room for an hour or more at a time. So I'm considering Sleeve now so I can leave the DS option still there for the future. Worried about weight re-gain. BMI is 50. I hope this wasn't took much info for an introduction. I've heard there are a lot of knowledgeable people here. Next best thing to a crystal ball I guess.

 

[harrietvane]

Welcome! I'm also a lapband revision, from Feb 2016. I've gone from a mid-40s BMI to a 24 BMI in just over a year. I could lose more, but that would involve exercise and really cutting carbs, which I eat in moderation.

I was also worried about bathroom issues, but I'm going to be a bit cheeky in saying this: do you think that everyone else who gets the DS is unemployed, independently wealthy or in an outdoor occupation where they can fart at will? No, of course not. Among us we have a lot of professionals, myself included, who have the DS and don't experience any negative 'unprofessional' side effects like stomach rumbling or gas. I'm a management consultant who attends meetings and runs workshops all day without issue.

While everyone is different, many people seem to settle easily into a routine of going to the bathroom 2-3 times first thing in the morning and then being done for the day. Sometimes, you have to fart at work...but that happens for non-DSers too, and the answer is excusing yourself to go to the bathroom. While not minimising the issue for the small number who have it, I also don't want to perpetuate the myth that DS automatically means bathroom issues; it's a risk, not a certainty.

 

[Clematis]

Welcome. Get the DS only if you want to lose weight AND KEEP IT OFF WITHOUT DIETING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. The gas issues are diet related, IF it affects you as it doesn't for others. Save your carbs for weekends and after work. Problem solved.

 

[southernlady]

Welcome @Ellie Mae

 

[Ellie Mae]

Welcome. Get the DS only if you want to lose weight AND KEEP IT OFF WITHOUT DIETING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. The gas issues are diet related, IF it affects you as it doesn't for others. Save your carbs for weekends and after work. Problem solved.

Wow, thank you. This gives me hope.

 

[Clematis]

Yu and Scarborough are pushing a Franken-switch known as the Loop DS/SPIS/SADI. There is no data to support the effectiveness of this surgery. Follow the proof: the traditional DS with TWO anastomoses and a common channel based on the Hess Method or cookie-cutter 100cc has data to support its effectiveness going back 20 years.

 

[Ellie Mae]

Welcome! I'm also a lapband revision, from Feb 2016. I've gone from a mid-40s BMI to a 24 BMI in just over a year. I could lose more, but that would involve exercise and really cutting carbs, which I eat in moderation.

I was also worried about bathroom issues, but I'm going to be a bit cheeky in saying this: do you think that everyone else who gets the DS is unemployed, independently wealthy or in an outdoor occupation where they can fart at will? No, of course not. Among us we have a lot of professionals, myself included, who have the DS and don't experience any negative 'unprofessional' side effects like stomach rumbling or gas. I'm a management consultant who attends meetings and runs workshops all day without issue.

While everyone is different, many people seem to settle easily into a routine of going to the bathroom 2-3 times first thing in the morning and then being done for the day. Sometimes, you have to fart at work...but that happens for non-DSers too, and the answer is excusing yourself to go to the bathroom. While not minimising the issue for the small number who have it, I also don't want to perpetuate the myth that DS automatically means bathroom issues; it's a risk, not a certainty.

Very helpful information! On the Facebook pages it has seemed like the bathroom issues are a given, but now I'm back to wanting the DS more than ever, without a good Dr behind me.

 

[Ellie Mae]

Yu and Scarborough are pushing a Franken-switch known as the Loop DS/SPIS/SADI. There is no data to support the effectiveness of this surgery. Follow the proof: the traditional DS with TWO anastomoses and a common channel based on the Hess Method or cookie-cutter 100cc has data to support its effectiveness going back 20 years.

You don't have to convince me. But I don't have the money to choose the surgeon I want so my options are very limited.

 

[southernlady]

Very helpful information! On the Facebook pages it has seemed like the bathroom issues are a given, but now I'm back to wanting the DS more than ever, without a good Dr behind me.

Depends on which group. If it isn't a DS specific group, they don't know the truth just spouting info they've heard.

 

[Clematis]

Their website is confusing... they may offer both a traditional DS and a Loop DS. You have to fight for the traditional DS. If you are a clinician, you have the smarts to read here, then go in and make your case citing the long-term data to support the DS but not the Loop. Docs want to do the Loop because it is faster but they charge the same, unfortunately billing it as a "real" DS when it is not. (And we have heard of insurance companies discovering this deception and refusing to pay the bill.)

 

[Larra]

Welcome!
Not only push for a real, 2 anastomosis DS, but put in writing that the "no loop DS, SIPS, or SADI on your consent form. And document your discussion with your surgeon ahead of time (an email after your consult, whatever means you have). You can't be too careful.

 

[Munchkin]

I hope you get the DS. The sleeve is better than nothing but it's like any other diet with a smaller stomach. Like that crapband they sold you. The DS is the only procedure I have seen that actually takes the weight off and keeps it off for most people. It's your best shot for long term success.

Most of the people here are not forest rangers. We don't live alone in the woods offending only Yogi and Boo Boo with our noxious emissions. We are part of the real world. We do all the things normal people do. We are not pooping machines. Promise!

 

[Psychomom]

It's funny, everyone warned me about the flatulence before I had my DS. I don't have gas, but I really watch what I eat. No grains, no sugar, very low carb=little to no gas. My DS has been a HUGE blessing to me. I'm finally losing weight and it has made my quality of life improve so much. I'm from Texas, as well. If you're willing to travel to Lubbock, TX, you can check with Dr. David Syn's office. He does a traditional DS Call his office and check to see if they take Tricare. 806-687-4961. Lubbock has an international airport, so you may be able to just fly in. It can't hurt to check.

 

[Ellie Mae]

It's funny, everyone warned me about the flatulence before I had my DS. I don't have gas, but I really watch what I eat. No grains, no sugar, very low carb=little to no gas. My DS has been a HUGE blessing to me. I'm finally losing weight and it has made my quality of life improve so much. I'm from Texas, as well. If you're willing to travel to Lubbock, TX, you can check with Dr. David Syn's office. He does a traditional DS Call his office and check to see if they take Tricare. 806-687-4961. Lubbock has an international airport, so you may be able to just fly in. It can't hurt to check.

Thank you. I just checked and they don't take it.

 

[Elizabeth N.]

Hello, I'm happy to be here. I've visited with two doctors in my area (Houston) and am working on completing requirements for my insurance. Although my lap-band was self-pay in 2005, I've learned that getting a revision approval from Tricare is difficult and I don't have a medical reason for the band removal other than it sucks. But I am bound and determined. After wanting the bypass for a long time I became set on the DS after learning about it. But finding a doctor that does it and accepts my insurance has been a nightmare. Don't say Ayoola. Doesn't take Tricare. Current doc is Yu but considering move to Scarborough bc I'm not feeling good about Yu at this point. I've also begun to question the DS because I can not have stomach rumbling and gas issues at work as a professional clinician who sits alone with clients in a quiet room for an hour or more at a time. So I'm considering Sleeve now so I can leave the DS option still there for the future. Worried about weight re-gain. BMI is 50. I hope this wasn't took much info for an introduction. I've heard there are a lot of knowledgeable people here. Next best thing to a crystal ball I guess.

At this point in time, your only option for a Tricare covered revision without a "real medical issue" (as if a BMI of 50 isn't!!) is through a MTF. There are only a couple in the country that have/had DS surgeons in place. Madigan in WA is/was one, and I recall reports of one at the major MTF (is it still Navy?) in San Diego and in Ft. Bragg.

If self-pay is an option, your best bang for the buck in a skilled surgeon is Dr. David Greenbaum in Moorestown/Mt. Laurel/Mt. Holly, NJ. I believe he now operates under the umbrella of Virtua Surgical Specialists.

You probably already know this, but DO NOT GO OUT OF COUNTRY for a self pay revision (or any other procedure) when your only insurance is Tricare. You'll be screwed for any followup or complications coverage, quite possibly forever. They definitely won't pay for a durned thing out of country unless it's in a duty location on an accompanied assignment.