Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

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." :rolleyes: 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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×