Since your going to the mtf with tricare it can take from a few months up to a year. They will give you a check list of tests and classes that need to be done. Out here in San Diego, ca at NMCSD I had to get a psych eval(3 visits), sleep study, upper GI, chest X-ray, EKG, labwork, pap smear, nutrition consult, bariatric surgery class(2 days), healthy weight class(3 days) and at least one support group! It took me 9 months but I knew it would be at least 7 because they wanted me to be at least a year postpartum...then it took another month because the nurse practitioner that did scheduling was on leave but I finally got my date for 3/26! One of the ladies in our support group had her surgery out there and looks great now Oh, and if you have tricare prime they cover all of it 100% I haven't had to pay a thing. Good luck on your journey!