charms

Tricare was very fast for me. They faxed the letter on 4/29 and I had my approval online 4/30 and my surgery on 5/12. When all else fails with tricare, call and ask for a case manager. Things will get done much faster with someone you can specifically call and contact. This was the first time tricare was so easy. Watch out though - if your surgeon typcially does surgery with an assistant or two....you might get denied after the it is done. They require TWO Surgeons during the procedure.

I had no specific diet instructions before my surgery except nothing to eat or drink after midnight. I took great pleasure in the foods I was able to eat the week before my surgery. It might have been primarily because I am on an insulin pump that they decided against a pre-op diet for me, I don't know though. The others I chatted with didn't have a pre-op diet either.

I have Tricare also. I am 5'1" - 220 lbs, with type II diabetes, I got my referal from my PCM on 04/15/2009. Saw the surgeon on 04/24/09. Got the medically necessary letter from the PCM to the surgeon on 04/29/09. Got my approval on 04/30/09 and was banded on 05/12/09. Tricare is very quick if the letter say's the right things. They will also call you as soon as the approval occurs. You will know before the surgeon. Tricare has two rules, either you are 100 lbs over weight or you have a morbidity factor and fall into the obese category of the BMI.

I take a liquid vitimin called Vemma - it takes like a thick juice. It is wonderful and has everything you need!

I went to Dr Terry Simpson in Phoenix, Although my band was covered by Tricare - his self pay, I thought was quite reasonable!