Hello, I have been just viewing for a while and have decided to join in! I decided last month to go ahead and just do it and self pay! I choose a surgeon went to a seminar on 2/7 met with the nutrition/coordinator on the 15th while I was there on the 15th she told me that Tricare now covers it (they are not participating) I have Tricare Prime. They told me to get a letter of medical necessity I went to my pcm at the naval hospital (she's totally against it) said it wasn't covered, wouldn't write it (I asked her to call, and she found out it was covered) she refered me to bariatric at hosp. still no letter from her though. They don't to the band sent a referral to Tricare they approved a consult and refered me to a doctor 75 miles away. He opened a satelite office in Jax and therefore can get the referrals but they only do follow ups there. I of course have to go with it, I can't justify paying $16,500.00 when I can get it paid for. I think that the non par surgeon thought I could get approved to see them. Just strange! Now if I have to do a six month diet like the pcm told me I would have to do then I will consider going back to self pay. I am greatful to the first surgeon but feel kind of bad.

My appointment is on March 21st in Ocala with the approved doctor, thanks I am not always this long winded.....

Wow! Lucky you!

If there is a 6 month wait, look into it, often times doing all the pre op testing etc. still takes a few months. Think of the vacation you could take on your 16K----when you feel good wearing the swimming suit!!!

Welcome to LBT!

Kat

You could save the $16000 for PS!

I agree with Kat...look into doing the six month pre-op medically supervised diet. I am starting my 5th month....not so bad. These months have given me the time I needed to get my head in order as to what I am doing. I, too, was really gung-ho...wanting to do the surgery right away. Now I am so happy I have had this time to just absorb instead of jumping in right away. Good luck no matter what you decide.

Thank you all so much, my concern is that after six months of a diet I will no longer qualify....Does anyone know if Tricare Prime requires the 6 months?

Why don;t you call them? You might find more info under the insurance segment on the forum.

Thanks, I will look in the insurance section, I called them twice and get two different answers. Regardless I am so glad that I found this site and you all!!!

im probably one of the MOST impulsive people on here....

that being said, if i could save 16,000 if i waited 6 months, i'd wait..

join a gym, even if you go 2 times a week and just walk, it would help a bit

i owe 40% of my loss to my band and 60% to working my tail off in the gym..

save the 16K for either a great vacation.. or plastics... they're not cheap :biggrin:

good luck!

You are right, and look marvelous by the way! I don't think that Tricare Prime requires the 6 months, I am '5 3 1/2 and weigh 260 and have hypertension.

The new patient coordinator did tell me that it may be 2 to 3 months till the surgery from my consultation date of 3/21 now that I will do.

Now one thing that I do have going for me is that I love to work out, I have been doing it for years and know that there is lots of muscle under this fat, I was always into lifting weights, it has been harder with the knee and back problems.

Wow, I can't believe that I actually can say out loud what I weigh, this site is wonderful, freeing almosst! This is the heaviest I have ever been, I have been overweight all my life though.

Thanks for your support, you all are the best!