McChord

Hi, this is my first time posting here and I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Terri Barton and we are stationed here at McChord AFB, WA. I had lap band surgery on 9-24-04. I financed it myself by loving family members that wanted to help me. I will admit I was a chicken when it came to the bypass and I also didnt have the patience to wait 2 years for my surgery. hehehehe. I have lost 12lbs so far. My husband is a ssgt. and we have one 11yr old son.

If you don't mind me asking, why did you pay for the surgery yourself? Why didn't you go through TriCare? It was so easy for me, and equally easy for everyone else I know that's gone through TriCare. From my initial visit with my PC doctor on base to my surgery with the civilian gastric bypass specialist, the time lapse was only 4 weeks. Are you receiving follow-up care on-base?

Melanie, Triwest would not pay for the surgery I choose to have. I did not want a gastric bypass. I preferred the lap band surgery options. Plus there is a 2 year waiting list for the gastric bypass here even if I had wanted to go that way. I wish that triwest would pay for my surgery but they wouldnt. I am receiving my follow-up care with my surgeon out in town. All follow-up care was including in my fee. Only when we pcs to Utah will I have to find another doctor or travel back to Washington for my follow-up care. As far as I am concerned I made the right decision for me and I have never been happier.

Welcome to the losing side! How much weight have you lost so far? When are you moving to Utah?

Hi, I have lost 30lbs. so far. Possibly more but I only weigh weekly and I skipped this week because we were in Oregon. We will be headed to Utah this time next year. Where are you at?

I'm at Kirtland AFB in NM..