Bring It On

Every ins. company is different. I have Tricare. I do not have ANY nutritional requirements. I was told I could go from my first Surgeon apt (which is 8/7), and be able to have surgery by the end of the month! I could help but notice our stats are about the same. I went ahead and sent you a friend request so we could keep in touch. I will post what I find out next Thursday!

I'm kinda lucky here. I live 4 hours from my family and only get to see them about every 5-6 weeks. My husband and my children (who do not live with me) are the only ones I have told. I know there will be questions in the future, so I have told the rest of my family that I am seeing a "Nutritionist" and learning how to eat healthy. Why should I tell them that I had surgery, when the weight loss with truly come from the nutrition side anyway. I think it should be an individual decision, though.

I can relate on the choice. I had made up my mind that I would be having VSG, even tho I would be private pay on it. Tricare does not cover the sleeve. Then I joined this site. It is correct that you have dumping with Bypass, but only if you eat something you are not supposed to eat (like sweets). To me, that would be a good motivator not to cheat. Also, people with Diabetes (like me) are more likely to be able to stop taking medication (even as early as post-surgery before you leave the hospital), with Bypass. I take Nexium daily (have for 5 years) because I have acid reflux really bad. The big thing I learned on here is that people who have VSG, deal with acid reflux in the worst way. So, I decided to go with Bypass and let my insurance pay for it. Winner, Winner!! Good Luck with what you decide to do. I would just rather "dump" when I wanted to, than feel like I'm having a heart attack with that acid!!!

Glad to hear things went well for you! Gives me great comfort to know how well you are doing. I hope my surgery date will be soon. See the dr. on 8/7. Prayers for continued healing (and no nausea)!!!

Bless your heart! Good luck to you tomorrow! Keep us posted!!!

Good for you!!!

I don't have any documented weight loss attempts, but I do have diabetes and sleep apnea. I am hoping the letter that my PCP prepared for the insurance company stating medical need and weight loss attempts through her for the past year will suffice. What do you think?

That was what I got - 4 visits through 3/2015.

Hello. My first surgeon appointment is 8/7. I will be your buddy. Will add you on my friend list too!!!

Congrats on your surgery date!! My first surgeon appointment is 8/7. I am hoping for a quick turnaround as well. Maybe we can be surgery buddies???

Congrats! I so look forward to getting my date as well. My first surgeon appointment is Aug. 7. How long has your journey been to get to this point?

Thanks for the replies. My first surgeon appointment is August 7. On that day I see the exercise physiologist, nutritionist, surgeon, and psychologist. They told me it usually takes about 1 week for Tricare response. Tricare has already approved visit to the WLS center, so I feel like it won't be a big issue. I went ahead and called my PCP and she is sending a letter of medical need to be sent with the surgeon's claim to Tricare. Still lots of unanswered questions, but I guess I will know it all in about 2 weeks.

Great job Mamie60. Sounds like you have your diet down pat. I will friend you so if I have a particular question after my surgery, I can give you a shout!!

After attending my first seminar on 7/21, I just received the call that my first doctor's appointment has been scheduled for 8/7. Wow, that was fast!!! I was told I would be getting my nutritional, exercise, and mental health counseling on this day, along with a visit with the surgeon. I was told that since I had Tricare and they covered Bypass with co-morbidities, without pre-surgery dieting, I could likely be looking at a late August surgery. So excited!!

Welcome to the Forum! I ordered my book a couple of days ago. Hope this journey is a good one for you!!

Today is my 1 yr sur givers are , I'm feeling like a million bucks! ! I'm down 100 lbs &plan to lose maybe another 20 lbs & do plastic surgery next summer to hit my plateau.. Congrats Country Girl - Would like to hear about your year. I think my planned weight loss is a lot like yours has been. I'm sure I will have plastic surgery when completed. At least the belly and boobs. Hope you don't mind if I friend you!

I have Tricare. I don't have to do any pre-diet as well. My first dr. apt is 8/7. I was told that I could have my surgery as early as the end of August. You just need to have your PCP send a referral to the Ins. company referring you to the WL clinic/dr. of your choice. Then the WL center will take it from there. Funny thing happened to me, I was right at the BMI 35 for WLS. They told me at the seminar to "slump" when measured, and drink LOTS of Water before being weighed with "heavy shoes on". Got a good laugh at the seminar!!

I hear ya! When I first started my journey, I was determined to get the sleeve. I thought it was less risky and invasive. Then, after I had my first seminar, I changed my mind. I had a difficult time thinking about losing 85% of my stomach, plus I have acid reflux, so this is a good way to get by without 1 more med. I also found out, that the RNY has greater potential that I will be able to come off my diabetic meds. I worry more about the diet after the surgery than I do the surgery itself. I hope to use this site to help with Protein shake ideas, then with the transition to regular food. I agree that the "dumping" is a good thing in disguise. It will keep me from those nasty carbs/sweets that I sooo love!! Keep in mind that you are doing this for a healthier way of life. I don't know about you, but I am one excited lady. Good luck with your decision!!

Great job Steviefan1 - Would love to stay in contact with an upbeat RNYer. Curious as to what your diet was like for the last 4 weeks. Hope you don't mind that I friend you!

Hey friends - I am just starting the process with my WLS. I would prefer having the sleeve over Bypass, but Tricare seems to think Bypass is better/safer. Apparently, they are not up with the times. Anyway, I was researching on Tricare for any changes in the policy and to see if it would benefit me to try to appeal when the decline comes through. What I found was, Tricare is having a Webinar on July 31, 2014 from 1-2 pm EST. (North Region I guess). Someone named Francine Forestell is conducting this webinar on claims and appeals process. I thought if several people questioned live and online the need for the VSG to be approved, it couldn't hurt. HURRY, there is limited space for participants. I just registered today. Praying they will finally concede!!!

Hi. I really enjoyed your post. Sounds like you will be a great go-to friend. My surgery should be around the end of August. Do you mind if I friend you? Thanks!

Hi Michelle - I am just starting on this journey as well. I go to my first seminar tomorrow afternoon (7/21). I am so very excited. I'm not sure what my pre-surgery requirements will be because I am self-pay for the sleeve. I have Tricare and they still consider the sleeve as experimental. I will post again after tomorrow's seminar and let you know. Please friend me and we will keep in contact. What happened at the seminar you went to?

I am new to this site. Preparing for Plication or Sleeve. If you had a Sleeve, do you wish you had a plication? or if you had a Plication, do you wish you had a sleeve? Still not sure about which procedure to have. Why would you want to keep your stomach? After being wrapped and stapled, there would be so much scar tissue, it probably wouldn't be useable anyway. I just want to make the right decision. Thanks for your help!!

Which is a faster way of losing - Sleeve or Plication? Everything I read tells me something different!! Just ready to get going on this journey. First doctor visit on Monday!!

Thanks for everyone's input. I feel like if I'm going to go through with this, I definitely need to rid of that nasty hormone!! Something about that plication that just doesn't seem safe. I can't believe that Tricare will not pay for my sleeve, but yet pay for Gastric Bypass. This site has really been helpful. I hope I can be as much help to others, as you guys have been for me!