Weight Loss Surgery for Tricare patients

Los Angeles / Orange County, California

Tricare LAP-BAND® Surgery

Tricare California Insurance is the health plan for military personnel and their dependents.
Tricare LAP-BAND® System is the safest, least invasive and only adjustable surgical treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. Coastal Center for Obesity welcomes Tricare patients to its Tri-City Aftercare Program for surgical weight loss.

From Tricare's policy:

A patient is 100 pounds or more over the ideal weight for height and body structure, and has one of these associated medical conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian Syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders, and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints.
A patient is 200 percent or more of the ideal weight for height and body structure. An associated medical condition is not required for this category.

LAP-BAND® Tricare Procedure

Since there is no cutting, stapling or stomach re-routing involved in the Tricare LAP-BAND® System procedure, it is considered the safest and least traumatic compared to other weight-loss surgeries. The laparoscopic approach to the surgery also offers the advantages of reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stay and quicker recovery. If for any reason the LAP-BAND® System needs to be removed, the stomach generally returns to its original form.

Adjustable Treatment

Tricare Lap-Band Surgery The LAP-BAND® System is also the only adjustable weight-loss surgery. The diameter of the band is adjustable for a customized weight-loss rate. Your individual needs can change as you lose weight. For example, pregnant patients can expand their band to accommodate a growing fetus, while patients who aren't experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened.