I am super excited. I had my appt. with my PCM today. He put me in for a referral. I will have to have my surgery off post(hubby is Army). I am just waiting for the surgeon's office to call so we can set up an appointment. I went ahead and had all my lab work done today as well. I can't wait. The only thing is my PCM said the surgeon might want me to have GB. I don't really want that because I am onnly about 95lbs over weight. Me personally I don't think I really qualify for GB. My mom is having GB next month ans she is a little over 500lbs. I thought it was up to me to decided which procedure I wanted done. Anyway, I just wanted to share my good new. I just hope TriCare approves it. If not I will be devistated. Jennifer

Relax. I don't think GB is appropriate for "just" 95 pounds. You can always tell the doc that you are afraid of GB because of the complication rate, etc.

You will be very happy with the results if you have a gastric bypass. You definitely qualify for it. Sleeve gastrectomy is also a great option for you.

Your mother, on the other hand, would be better off getting a duodenal switch. It is unlikely that she will lose more than 200 pounds with gastric bypass.

Mark Pleatman MD

website www.laparoscopy.com/pleatman

I just completed my Pre op testing. It included blood work, chest x-ray, and an EKG.

My freind just had the Gastric Sleeve and had to have a scope prior.

I am only 3 days away.

I should add I am having the lap band procedure. I would push for the lapband instead of GB. It is your decision!

I wanted the sleeve, but my insurance would not cover it. For the sleeve my BMI had to be 50 or above. I am at approx 36.6. I barely made the BMI of 35 for the lap band. I don't need drastic results like GB, but I am terrified of needles and the fills scare me. I have back/knee pain, infertility, PCOS, high cholesterol, cardio problems and borderline HBP. I trying to calm my fears because I know with my family history I most likely will have diabetes. Fill now or insulin later.

I don't think anyone likes needles...but for heavens sake....I would rather have a fill once every few months instead of an insulin shot daily! Maybe discuss your fears with your doctor. Maybe they can do something to relax you when you get a fill.

Good luck getting approved.

OK So I just found out that I did get my referral approved. YIPPEEEE :smile: But I called the surgeons office to make my appointment and they told me my PCM hasn't faxed over an of my paperwork. So they said I can't even make an appoinment. I was upset. I called my PCM's office and they said he hasn't sent them any of my paperwork because he sisn't think it would get approved so quickly. (they were excpecting it to take 1-2 weeks, when it actually 1 day) So The receptionist said she will let my PCM know and it could take up to 3 days. I was so excited to see it took only 1 day for it to get approved, but now I am down in the dumps because I have to wait. I know 3 days isn't alot to wait but I am a person who likes to everything done ASAP. I know I am really anal about stuff like that but thats just me. I dunno I guess I will just wait 3 days. Probably not, I will probably call again tomorrow, and the next and the next untill it is done. LOL Anyway, I just wanted to vent. I am still excited to have finally started the process. Jennifer

Edited April 7, 200917 yr by talkalot1981

Congrats on the fast approval!! I saw my PCM today and their waiting on notes from the WLS and surgeon before they even submit for mine!

It took me 3 weeks to get my approval just to have a consult with the doctor through tricare prime. Now I am in the process of getting all the tests done. The pcm that I saw today told me not to get my hopes up cause tricare probably wont approve the surgery since I am about 90 lbs overweight. Even though I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and a major family history of diabetes and heart problems. Wish me luck. Caroline in VA

Caroline in Va,

You should get approved with no problem, I was approved by Tricare in October 08 and had the surgery in December 22, 08 and I was only 80 lbs. over weight and one medical issue high blood pressure. I have lost 42 lbs. So Good Luck!

Edited April 14, 200917 yr by Goldie1960