tdskkenn

Hi there. Does anyone know which Dept of Veterans Affairs hospitals do the sleeve? The system is divided by regions, and the VA does not put out a lot of info about the bariatric programs. I have Tricare Prime too, but they do not cover the sleeve. BUMMER... I am a service-disabled vet too and am able to use all services at VA hospitals too. Thanks for any info you can provide. Shan

Hello. I am new to the forum. I am a Tricare Prime beneficiary and am so frustrated about the fact Tricare won't cover the sleeve with civilian docs. After reading a lot of posts, I realize I am not alone! So I thought I would start a thread that would create a list for people to use when seeking a procedure through an MTF. Here is what I have found from other threads: Naval Hospital San Diego (Balboa) Portsmouth Naval Hospital (Hampton Roads Virginia) Can anyone out there add any to the thread? Thanks much! Shan

Hello sleevers. I am a 35 BMI with hypertension. I've spent my life dieting (losing and then gaining more). I consider myself a dieting expert. The problem is I just gain it all back later. I am sure many of you are like me. So now I am 4 months out before I start my pysch eval and cardio workup. My doc says he wants me to lose weight now, during this 4-month period. I wil be doing a liquid diet 2 weeks before surgery next year as well. My doc says he wants me to show the bariatric team I can make changes. I wanted to scream. I've spend my life doing this, doc. So now I'm going to diet again, only to do the two week liquid diet before surgery? I totally understand the liquid diet--it's a safety issue. As for the losing weight now, on a diet, I feel like it is punishment. I feel punished for being fat. I was surprised at how it made me feel. I can understand not gaining weight, but full-fledged dieting right now? GRRRRRRR.... Please don't chastise me that I'm going to need to make changes and be disciplined after the surgery--I get that and am all for it. I've been doing it all of my life without the tool of the surgery, so I'll be fine with it. I am just emotionally drained with dieting and the scale right now! Did anyone else feel this way? Bottom line: I'll lose weight and follow the rules. I just need to move past my diet burnout stage. TDSK

Thanks for the kind words! The support helps.

Hi there. I just posted this in "pre-op questions." I didn't know there was an insurance section so I hope it's ok to post here too. Does anyone know which VA hospitals do the sleeve? I am a service-disabled vet who can use all medical benefits at the VA hospitals. I also have tricare prime, but of course they don't cover it. Grrrrr... Thanks, Shan

Hi there. I am female, 5'9, with a BMI of 35 and hypertension being treated with medicine. I am trying to decide between the lap band, GB, and the sleeve. Does anyone with the "minimum" qualifying requirements give me some advice on how to decide? In my opinion, I have about 65 lbs to lose. I am worried about losing too much with any of the procedures (who would have thought that would be a concern...LOL!). thanks so much. Shan