I'm new to this whole process!! I am extremely excited to get this going and finally get my life back!! I will be attending a seminar next week in order to schedule a appointment with the surgeon. I live in the Tampa Fl area and my insurance is Tricare. My question is does anyone know if tricare requires 6 months of dieting and weigh in's with the weight loss clinic before they will approve my surgery? The reason I ask this is beacuse for years I have been seeing my primary doctor asking for solutions to get control of my weight. I have been a extreme yo- yo dieter!! I lose weight then double it back!!

I guess I am just very eager to get banded!! I've been researching Lap Band for what now feels like forever!!!

Anyway how was everyone's expeirience with tricare -south and was it speedy??

My next question is has anyone been banded with Dr. Fernandez in the Tampa area???

feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

I have Tricare South Standard and there is NO requirement for 6 month dieting....I swear!!! The only real requirements are that the weight for height standard be fulfilled. It only took a few days for approval. Use the Tricare website for standards but look under the heading Gastric Bypass, trust me on that location for band standards.

Mimi

I have Tricare South Standard and there is NO requirement for 6 month dieting....I swear!!! The only real requirements are that the weight for height standard be fulfilled. It only took a few days for approval. Use the Tricare website for standards but look under the heading Gastric Bypass, trust me on that location for band standards.

Mimi

thanks so much mimi

thanks so much mimi

btw congrats on the weight loss!!!!!!

how exciting

I have Tricare Reserve Select which is Tricare South. I was approved this past Monday. The Dr's office faxed in paperwork on Friday afternoon late and they approved it Monday afternoon. VERY FAST!! I currently have a BMI of 41.2 and weigh 280 and 5'10". So I'm basically 108 lbs over ideal body weight. I had to write a letter to Tricare basically pleading with them on why I wanted to be banded, etc. They didn't require me to do a 6 month diet. The only thing I had to do before they submitted to Tricare was my initial consultation with Dr, I had to meet with pshyc Dr and also nutritionist. Pretty easy!! I have my surgery scheduled for May 25th. I paid the Dr. 168.00 for my part of the surgery and then when I go to hospital Wednesday I will find out how much they will charge and then pay my portion for that. Someone said because Tricares contract amount is so low, my portion wouldn't be horribly high. So that is great news!! Hang in there.. before you know it they will be calling you and scheduling you for your surgery!!