faithwade

Thank you so much for responding. I was so discouraged, but I've researched tricare and lapband a lot. As of March of this year, Tricare requirements have changed. You have to have a BMI of 35 with 2 comorbidities to qualify. I may even be denied at first, but my new surgeon is aware of this, and works closely with Tricare to get his patients approved. They do still use the Met Life scale, and the surgeon has to mark "small" body frame specifically. Met Life also adds an inch to your height, automatically assuming that you'd be wearing shoes when measured. My doc specifically states that you're not wearing shoes on the form for that reason. I've already had my psych visits (approved), and will meet with the nutritionist and exercise physiologist this thursday morning, and then my first appointment with my new doctor is that afternoon. I'm so excited! I hope I get approved!!

Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It's good to find people who are willing to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly. We need to hear all of it....do you have any idea what caused your plateau in the first place? I can see that making me so discouraged that I'd stop trusting the process after awhile, and going back to my bad old habits. I'm a newbie...I am just starting the process and reading all I can so I can learn all that I can. I know it's difficult to not be able to eat the things you want, like sweets and breads, etc...and I wonder if we learn coping mechanisms to fall back on when things aren't going right and we're stressed and craving the bad stuff, and falling off the proverbial wagon. Do you think you were properly prepared for the drastic change in lifestyle when you had your surgery? What kind of counseling and nutrition assistance did you receive before your surgery? Is there counselling support post-op if you need it?