I'm in process of getting everything approved with Tricare now. I've done my stress test and ECG, met with the psych, still waiting for the sleep study center to contact me and set it up. My initial consult with my surgeon is on Wednesday, the 11th. When I met with the insurance coordinator on Monday this week I asked her if she thought that Tricare would approve the surgery...she said they would without a doubt. :thumbup:

So now I'm just sort of stuck in the limbo phase. I'm hoping to get the sleep study done soon, that's the last thing that I'll have to "pass" in order to have the surgery approved. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!!

After all that, I do actually have a question. How do you deal with telling people in your life that you're going to be having the surgery? I know that I'm doing this for the right reasons, and it's certainly not an easy way out. However, I'm just now starting to tell my friends, and it already feels like they're judging me about something they know nothing about. The one I told a few days ago even said, "I thought that was for REALLY fat people." Yeah...I wanted to smack her. I know that there are going to be people that don't get it, and I hate having to explain myself, but I also don't want the people that I care about to think less of me for doing something that they don't understand.

I will be banned on Mon. I have told my friend who had gastric a few years ago. She has already done a "what you eat" on me. I don't like that and I think she will back down. My kids have been told, husband gave approval, but I think he is a little worried. I just don't want anyone else in this. I mentioned it to a few people when it first crossed my mind and I got the same kind of comments. You don't need it, you're not fat enough!! So I am rolling and aint worried about the people.

BTW-- why did you have to have a sleep study I am TriCare also. Doc submitted on 21 Jan and approval on 23 Jan

I admire your committment to being banded and all that goes with it. May I suggest that when your friends make neagtive comments, don't get annoyed and want to smack them, educate them, about the change in lifestyle you chose. You will be surprised at the change in attitude. Good Luck

My surgeon requires a sleep study for all his patients before he'll submit the request for approval.

Yeah, I tried explaining it to her but she launched into "diet and exercise worked for me." It was kind of odd, she seemed almost offended at the idea that people's metabolisms work differently, that simple diet and exercise isn't going to work for everybody. I started explaining what metabolic syndrome is and she flat out cut me off with the "diet and exercise."