faithwade

I've had LOTS of problems with Memorial Health Bariatrics in Savannah. I went to their seminar last Wednesday, and was told by their rep that I'm not big enough to qualify for the surgery. I'm 5'7, and currently weigh 218 pounds. The receptionist who was taking our paperwork told me that the doctor probably won't even call me back, because my BMI is too low. She didn't ask about my co-morbidities or history. She didn't ask me anything. The woman sitting next to her asked me if I was just doing this to get ready for bikini season. Another woman in their group told me she thought I was post lapband, and to go home. I don't need the surgery. I know that I'm not as big as a lot of people, and there are some who may need the surgery more than I do, but I'm still almost 80 pounds overweight, and have 2 comorbidities. Anyway, I called Mem Health a couple of days later, and the same woman from the seminar answered the phone, remembered who I was, and refused to make an appointment for me to see the doctor or let me speak with someone else. She told me that she considers me a self-pay patient, and asked me if I could afford to pay for the surgery our of pocket. If so, then she'd be willing to set up an appointment for me. I told her that I'm a tri-care standard patient, and that my current BMI is 34.1. I also explained that I have stopped taking the prescription phentermine that I'd been on for the past 3 months, and that in 3 weeks I've gained back 8 of the 25 pounds that I lost while on the diet pill. I also told her that my primary care physician faxed a letter to her practice explaining the reasons he feels I need this surgery. She told me that his letter didn't mean anything, and that she doesn't have it anymore (I guess that means she threw it away). She then told me that in her professional opinion, I do not need the surgery. I asked if I could speak to the office manager, and she wouldn't let me. She said that she'd discuss the matter with the appropriate people, including the doctor, and that they would make the decision together as to whether or not they would call me back. I just told her to throw my paperwork away. Has anyone else dealt with these kinds of problems? I'm just so upset...

Congratulations! What area of the country are you located? Are you standard or prime? I'm in SC, and have standard.

Thank you so much for responding. I was so discouraged, but I've researched tricare and lapband a lot. As of March of this year, Tricare requirements have changed. You have to have a BMI of 35 with 2 comorbidities to qualify. I may even be denied at first, but my new surgeon is aware of this, and works closely with Tricare to get his patients approved. They do still use the Met Life scale, and the surgeon has to mark "small" body frame specifically. Met Life also adds an inch to your height, automatically assuming that you'd be wearing shoes when measured. My doc specifically states that you're not wearing shoes on the form for that reason. I've already had my psych visits (approved), and will meet with the nutritionist and exercise physiologist this thursday morning, and then my first appointment with my new doctor is that afternoon. I'm so excited! I hope I get approved!!

Lizzy, a different person from their office called me Thursday and asked if I'd like to come to a seminar. I explained that I'd already been to one, and that I'd been speaking with Megan, who told that I don't qualify, and wouldn't be able to see the doctor. She said that she had no record of me being at the seminar. I asked to speak to the office manager. She said yes, put me on hold, then came back and told me that the office manager was unavailable, but would call me back Friday. I haven't heard from them since. I'll send a letter, but I truly doubt that the doctor will ever see it.

The thing is Shirley, that I don't need to gain anymore weight to qualify for the surgery. I already qualify....and they had a copy of my PCP's letter, stating my 2 comorbidities.

Rozie, thank you so much for your kind words. I wasn't sure if I should keep trying, but I went to a different doctor, and am VERY happy with him and his office. This is a much better fit for me; they are positive, supportive, and are working with me. I DO qualitfy for lapband through Tricare, and will be seeing the nutritionist/exercise physiologist this week, along with my first appt with the doctor. I'm so ready...

Naytap, thank you for your response. Yes, this is a Center of Excellence. One of the reasons I chose them. They are a very highly regarded facility in our area. It seems that I'm just not 'fat enough' for them (or their office staff). I went to a different surgeon's seminar last Thursday, and they were great. It was such a positive experience, and I feel so much better. I met some of his office staff, and he was there to conduct the seminar, and then they all stayed late to answer questions for all of us. I see his nutritionist and exercise physiologist this Thursday, and will have my first appt with the doctor that afternoon. (I'm fitting all I can in one day because this doctor is about a 2 1/2 hour drive one way).

thank you, Kat. I have TriCare. Do you have any experience with them?

Thank you for your insight. My PCP and I are prepared to send whatever documentation that's needed. I've been battling obesity all my life, and he's been my doctor for over 12 years, helping me through this process. I have lost large amounts of weight several times through the years, only to gain it back, and more. The receptionist refuses to allow me to speak to the manager. I asked, and was told no. I realized that I wasn't going to get anywhere with them, and contacted another bariatric surgeon (this one is in Charleston, about 70 miles away) and will be going to his seminar on the 16th. From what I understand, under Tricare's new standards (as of March of this year), I need a BMI of 35 with 2 co-morbidities. I hate weighing myself because I know I'm probably there now, since I'm off the diet pills.

Congratulations and Good Luck!!

Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It's good to find people who are willing to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly. We need to hear all of it....do you have any idea what caused your plateau in the first place? I can see that making me so discouraged that I'd stop trusting the process after awhile, and going back to my bad old habits. I'm a newbie...I am just starting the process and reading all I can so I can learn all that I can. I know it's difficult to not be able to eat the things you want, like sweets and breads, etc...and I wonder if we learn coping mechanisms to fall back on when things aren't going right and we're stressed and craving the bad stuff, and falling off the proverbial wagon. Do you think you were properly prepared for the drastic change in lifestyle when you had your surgery? What kind of counseling and nutrition assistance did you receive before your surgery? Is there counselling support post-op if you need it?

hi...i'm a military spouse, just getting started, too. where are you located?