Heather, I took the first step and got the referral from my PCM. Is there certain information that should be included on the referral? How did you call to get your consult with Dr. Long? The regular Tricare appt line or a different number?

Hi, I'm active duty with the Coast Guard, I just had the surgery in Nov 05. The Air Force my be more stringent on the WLS, but the Coast Guard and Army allow it. I had my surgery performed at Ft. Lewis. Good luck to you on joining. I retire this summer at the ripe old age of 39. Tony

Hi linda here are the steps 1. a referral from your PCM 2. 1st consult w/ Dr. Long below are the three steps I refered to. They don't have to be done in this order they just have to be done 3. pysch eval 4. meet with a dietian 5. meet with an excersise therapist the lap band is adjustable and you may need 2-4 fills of saline solution in the band to get the proper restriction. fell free to email me anytime we are having a support meeting this thursday at 6:30 at walter reed in the waiting room of Ward 5c Dr. Long will be there you should come later H

silly is not the term I would use if I or my Love one was in need of the care, a space available flight and a picket sign on the door step with a news crew would have a different terminology posted. If my DS does come forth you may see me on the six o'clock news,

what do they mean in region, did you join the wash dc army, or the US Army, That the same crap that the VA is giving me about not provideing surgery for my service connected condition in the ny metro, while they provide it in berminham alabama. ,I maintain that if they can ship my butt the the south east rice paddies of asia to fight a war they can ship to the south east swamps of alabama for the fix. 40 years later. I joined the US NAVY 69 , the NY VSNS NAVY, have congress man wip/