Robin Lanzoni

That is amazing. You must be over the moon. Congratulations! Robin

Newbie here... I sure hope I don't sound stupid but, how do I find an MTF? I live in Cape Coral, FL (Near Ft Myers). My husband is in the National Guard. He's home right now but is leaving for Afghanistan in February (he's already deployed 3 times to Iraq before this). I'm on Tricare Standard right now but I think I could have Tricare Prime when he deploys. When I started the journey to decide what was best for me, I first called local Bariatric surgeons asking if they accepted Tricare at all. "No no no" was all I got so I finally called Tricare and the closest Bariatric Surgeon that accepts it is in Tampa (about 2.25 hours from here). Originally I wanted the lapband but, as I've researched, it just does not seem like the right choice. I work full time and it would be extremely difficult to drive to Tampa every 6 - 8 weeks for fills for the rest of my life. I've been to a seminar locally but the Dr in Tampa won't see me until I've been to HIS seminar. Understandable but, when I called his office to ask them if they know if Tricare covered the sleeve, they wouldn't answer the question. They just kept saying that I had to attend their seminar first, then I could make an appointment and insurance/options would be discussed. I said, "I don't want to drive over 2 hours to attend a seminar just to find out the procedure I think I want will not be covered. Can't you just tell me now?" Nope. I have an autistic child and getting away from the house for extended hours is difficult. I've read about people getting the sleeve at MTF but I don't know where to find one. MacDill AFB is also in Tampa but I don't know if there's an MTF there. Even though my husband has been deployed so much over the years, I feel left out of the loop of the normal, full-time military wife. I don't have any other military wife friends. Can you give me any advice? Robin