RhiettaP

By the way...my sister went to Obesity Control Center in Mexico.....really nice facility....they put her in a 5 star hotel...shuttled her back and forth...her Dr. is actually a US doctor....he does the surgery in Mexico because it's cheaper (tax wise) and he doesn't have to deal with insurance ect...he also practices medicine in the US as well.....and has Dr.s stateside that provide follow up and fills.

My sister had her LB done in Mexico and the Doctor there (an american Dr.) works with different doctors stateside....she gets her fills in San Antonio for $150.

How do you track your referral online? I've logged into the tricare site and searched all over and can't find anything that shows my referral (though my initial was already approve...I have the letter to prove it)? You can request a doctor as long as they accept tricare.....the first referral that I got was to a dr. that didn't even accept the insurance.....be sure to verify!

Working with tri care as well....I just got my referral though through my PCM and won't have my initial *consult* until 18-Jun.....I beleive I'm slight under the 100lbs so I'm going to gain weight and add some weight to get approved.

Good Luck. My WLS's office sent me a folder with a letter that said "Your insurance company requires the following in order to be approved for surgery"....and then it was blank.....

What are BB's? They didn't check your ankles or anything for swelling....I'm going to buy bigger clothes so I can layer...that way what every weight stuff I'm hiding...it's not so obvious (this is so sad..lol...) def. the ankle weights....water bottle is good...wonder if I could wear a weight belt...maybe low enough around my hips that if the Dr. wants to see my belly it won't be seen.... "It's 105 degrees outside...why are you wearing sweat pants??"

It is stupid that we have to *gain* weight in order to loose it.....I'd rather gain the weight in ways other then actual fat on my body!

I'm right there with you....where does one get an outfit that weighs 8lbs...because I need one. I'm in the same boat....I need to gain about 20 lbs to be with-in my insurances 100lbs+ ideal weight...I do have co-morbities though...but I was told the weight was the kicker....

What does the letter need to state? That you have seen her? I seem to have everyone working against me....I couldn't even get my PCM to give me a referral with out threatening to go to Mexico and a few tears (I think the tears are what did it...)

I just started the process.....I am going to have to gain weight in order to get approved- how lame is that...gain weight just to loose weight?! I'm 5'4 and roughly 210-220 depending on the scale I'm on....I'm diabetic (controlled by diet) had gestational diabetes 2x now....I went to see my PCM and told him to either give me a referral or that I'm going to Mexico...he didn't want to give me a referral...told me to go on a diet...really?!? I've been on a diet the last 30 years of my life...if it was that easy...we'd all be healthy and thin! I actually see the surgeon for my initial consult on 18-Jun...so I've got roughly a month to gain...30+lbs? Do you think they'd notice if I got on the scale with bricks in my pockets;)

Where can I find out all that I need to do to get approved...I'm having my psych eval done through the surgeons office (I was told about it when I made my initial appointment)...but what else do I need? Should I start seeing a nutritionist on my own or wait for them to send me to one? I've seen one previously, but that was when we were stationed someone else....

I'm hoping to get approved through tricare as well...I'm 5'4 and 220lbs...but I have type 2 diabetes...so I'm hoping that will help....the 100lbs over for me is between 117-133....so I'm in the 100lbs+....I got a referral from my PCM right to the surgeon...so I'm not going back to my PCM for anything now....I have a consult appt. thought next month....not sure what the next step will be from there.

Wanted to add....I'm going to see Dr. Lavin.....I had to get a referral from my PCM first....and he didn't want to give it to me....I had to resort to tears....I've been on a diet for the first 30 years of my life....I want it to end (the diet...not my life)....so he gave a referral to Dr. Lavin....TriCare does cover the lapband 100% if you are 100lbs over your ideal weight for me it's 117-133lbs and have a comorbitiy...for me I have diabetes...I don't have my firsts consult appt though until June 18th.....for those that used Dr. Lavin...how long from your first visit to your surgery?

I'm in Ocean Springs....will be using Tricare (referred through Keesler as well....)....they are making me go to LA though.....

My sister had her lapband done in TJ...I think it was bariatric surgery center...something like that...she paid roughly $7k for hers and then has her fills done in San Antonio.