gina s.

I just found out today that Tricare approved my surgery!!!! I should find out my surgery date in a few days. I'm so excited!!!!!!

Tricare paid for my psych eval and I didn't go for any other reason.....they did the evaluation one day, and then I went back for the results and that was it. I was able to self refer also. And I did not have to see a nutritionist.....I saw a dietician at the hospital where I'm having the surgery. It was part of my consult with the surgeon. I haven't had to pay anything out of pocket and according to the financial advocate at the hospital, all I'll have to pay is $25 for the hospital stay. I won't have a co-pay for fills either. So this whole thing is going to cost $25.

Count me out on the waiting game, I found out that Tricare approved my surgery today!!!!! Best wishes to the rest of you!!!!

I'll do it for you if you do it for me!!! I have Tricare Prime also, and I'm still waiting to hear if they approve surgery for me too. So hears wishing both of us luck!!!

YAY! I'm still waiting, hopefully I'll get approval too!

I'm in the middle of the process with Tricare Prime also. All I had to do was get a referal from my primary, and then they set me up with a surgeon. Tricare did not require me to do anything, all I had to do was what the surgeon required. So I had to go to a seminar, then I had to have a phsych eval, and once they got the results from the phsychiatrist they made an appointment for a consult where I met with dietician, a nurse practitioner, and the business office. Now all I have left is waiting to see if Tricare approves, then they'll schedule the surgery and all I have to do is go in for a pre-op appointment two weeks before surgery. So in my case, it was all the surgeon. Good luck!

Congratulations!

If only I can make my bones smaller.....!! Thanks for the info Wendy, unfortunately I can't get away with the ankle weights, my weight's already been documented.

Hi! I'm at Ft. Hood also! I agree, way too many people here and I actually know where Gilmer is....I have a friend here who grew up about 15 miles from there! Anyway, I'm in the same situation as you, I've been approved to see the surgeon but not for the actual surgery. My appointment is on the 25th. Which surgeon did they send you to?

I'm 5'7'' and weigh 240-245. I know that I'm a hundred pounds over what I want to weigh, but I'm not sure what the "ideal" weight for me is.

I have high blood sugar.....I think that depression was one of the co-morbidities also, not entirely sure though.

Everything I have seen so far just says one comorbidity......

I have Tricare also, they don't do the lapband procedure here on post so I'm going through a civilian surgeon's program. My requirements were going to a seminar, a psych eval, one support group meeting before surgery, and a consult with the surgeon's office. Then all of the info will be sent in to Tricare for approval. All I have left to do is the support group meeting and the consult, and the surgeon's office told me that after the consult all I need is approval from Tricare for the procedure and that once they get that, then they'll schedule a surgery date. So I'm going to the support group on the 21st, my consult is the 25th, and that's it until the approval and surgery.

I'm in the same situation as you.....Tricare has approved me to see the surgeon, but hasn't approved the actual surgery. I have an appointment on the 25th, and then the surgeon's office will send their information to Tricare to get approval for the actual procedure. I feel the same way as you, I'm worried and anxious about not getting approved. Good luck and let us know how it goes!!!

I did find a list of the requirements, and it said 100 lbs. over with one co-morbidity or 200% over.....I do have a BMI greater than 35, but I'm not considered 100 lbs. over. One positive is that when I went to the psych eval, the psychiatrist took my family history and said it seemed like I had a good case. Anyway, keep you fingers crossed for me! I won't know until after my consult at Scott and White on the 25th. Thanks for the replies!

Yay! Make sure you let me know how it goes.....are you having it done at the Scott and White in Temple?

Thanks......I can't help but get excited looking at everyone's progress!

Thanks for the suggestions.....the only things that I have ever seen about requirements didn't say you had to have two, but I haven't actually looked any further. I will check it out, but in the meantime if anyone knows for sure could you please let me know? Thanks! I just keep hoping that since I was approved to see the surgeon that getting approval for the procedure will be a piece of cake....can't get my hopes up though.

My insurance (tricare prime) has approved me for four visits to the bariatric center where I'll have the procedure done, but they haven't approved the actual procedure. I know that the bariactic center will send them the referral for the surgery after some of my appointments, but what are the chances that Tricare will deny it? By the way, I weigh 239 and am 5'7'' (don't meet the weight requirement) but I have one co-morbidity....high blood sugar.

Thanks! I'm a bit nervous, since Tricare hasn't approved the actual procedure yet. I'm hoping it won't all fall through.

Hi, I'm Gina and I live in Texas, and I'm in the process of having the lap band procedure done through my insurance, Tricare Prime. My surgeon will be Dr. Richard Symmonds (I found this ironic!) at Scott and White in Temple (if Tricare approves the actual surgery). I'm hoping to gain information and support from this forum, it seems like a good thing to be involved in as I go through this process. Hope to talk with some of you soon!