I'm a military dependent and had my sleeve done at Travis AFB in CA. Id like to hear other people's experience through the military.

Hi everyone. I am a AF veteran and a spouse of a (AF)military retiree. I am in the Bariatrics program at Camp Pendelton. I live about an hour away but tricare sent me there. I don't live near an active base and my pcm is a small private

Dr office. I addressed my weight concerns at my yearly physical (my first with this new Dr. as my hubby only retired about 18 mo.(at that time). I braced myself for the negative comments I had experienced in the past from military Drs. you know the drill.....eat less....exercise more....with the looks of pity. I have definitely had a few "winners". now I admit I am sensitive about the weight issues so some of these things could have been how I perceived them. When I had my physical this past January I carefully broached the subject with my new PCM and he asked me if I had ever thought of surgical options. well.....yeah! of course I had but I honestly didn't know enough about it to make an informed decision. That is what I had told him and I was so grateful that he said he would be happy to start the process for me to get a referral to speak with someone so that I could learn more. He said it in no different way than if I had asked him for a referral to see the dermatologist. I so love him for that! He sent my referral request to the insurance company for me to see a specific Dr that he likes to send his patients to. When the paperwork came it was for Camp Pendleton...an hour away.....I was very upset that I would have to go that far. (later I realized it was a blessing in disguise). The date came for the the info session and the one on one consultations. when I was called into the consultation, the surgeon matter a factly, having reviewed my paperwork and medical history, stated that based on #s I needed to lose 10 lbs and that VSG was the best option for me and that my surgery would be in 6 mo.....any questions?! I was so ready to justify why I felt I needed it and what my medical history was. I thought I would have to convince him I needed it and wait for insurance approval. I walked out stunned and happy. I am about half way thru the process and reading and educating myself as much as possible.