Emily'sDad

Getting my insurance to approve lapband turned out to be the easy part. Trying to coordinate the time off with my job is a pain in the rear. Since I haven't been at this job for a year (two months short). I don't qualify for the familily medical leave act, which would allow me to take a medical leave of absence. While I'll only be out of work for a week or so the small amount of sick leave I have accumulated won't cover it and my company requires me to be on paid vacation or leave of absence if I am gone. What I've had to do is move my surger date closer to the weekend so that I am only taking two days off then two days of weekend and back to work on money. I really hope that i am able to return to work after only 4 days!? New surgery date 27 March

I can relate, I am wanting to get my fill of all the junk food I won't be able to eat post banding. I'm trying to limit myself to one nice meal this weekend, just haven't figured out what yet.

I'll trade you my Protein drink for your Protein Bar? I'm not looking forward to the diet, but it will be worth it! Can someone please pass the protein Kool-aid?! hehe

Good luck in your journey. It's exciting to imagine a smaller you isn't it? Have you looked at the before and after photo section? I find that particularly motivating!

Tantrica I can relate to how your PCM reacted. My PCM told me, "we all have to exercise regularly, this includes you." No kidding? I actually go to the gym 3 nights a week. I'd say that is pretty darn good in comparison to most folks.

Congrats...my surgery date is on the 25th of March! tricare doesn't look at BMI just your if your 100+ pounds over your ideal weight. You also have to have one weight related health issues. Unless of course you are 200% of your ideal body weight, then you are automatically elligible.

that is really long. good luck finding an other surgeon!

Two days after my consult I get a call from the surgeons office saying that I am approved and to set the date! March 25th!! WOO HOO I'm on my way to a new life. Not even worried about the new lifestyle. I have a nutrition class I have to attend the week before surgery...I can't believe how fast this has progressed.

Good luck to you too...let me know how it goes!?

I've been approved for the surgery too!! March 25th!

Two days after my consult I get a call from the surgeons office saying that I am approved and to set the date! March 25th!! WOO HOO I'm on my way to a new life. Not even worried about the new lifestyle. I have a nutrition class I have to attend the week before surgery...I can't believe how fast this has progressed.

congratulations...Hopefully mine comes through in the next couple of days!

I actually didn't have a chance to attend a seminar. From the time I met with my PCM to the surgeon's office consult was about 7 days. As for the surgery I was told it would be about two weeks after I get the surgery approved. The approval "should" come in today or tomorrow.

That seems strange that there is a separate fee from the surgery. It would seem like it would make more sense for the surgeon to make it one all inclusive charge so insurance doesn't get all twisted up. I grew up in Cortez/Durango but spent about 10 years in Ft. Collins. I miss the mountains something fierce.

Congrats ColoradoChick...that's a bummer there is a huge enrollment fee...what is that anyways? I'm moving back to Colorado next year....Can't wait to be home!

I actually had trouble with the website. None of my referrals have showed up there. I'm sure I could just call and get it straightened out, but since they just call me when the referral has gone through, I haven't worried about it. Tricare actually selected the only surgeon in town for me. I'm not sure how it works if you want to choose your own. The referral for me only took two days. On the second day I called tricare to check and they said it had just been approved. The following day I called the surgeons office to make my appointment.

I didn't even bother picking a PCM. I didn't have one assigned and just made an appointment with whom ever they had. Didn't seem to make a differance I was still approved. Tricare Prime South

Thanks mommyof5 and good luck to you too. Its a very exciting thought to picture yourself blubber free isn't it! I think I've made it through the hard part, which is getting the initial referral. The final approval for surgery is just a check to make sure your surgeon isn't trying to rip off the insurance company (or at least that is what I've been told). I'm saving the celebrating for the official "approved," from Tricare.

I have tricare prime and the policy regarding Lap-band is standard across the Tricare Prime system. Once your PCM submits the referral, tricare will then evaluate it to make sure you meet their criteria. Your PCM should already know what the criteria is and will make sure you meet it. A couple of days after the referral is submitted Tricare will fax your referral to the approprite surgeon and most likely the surgeons office will call you to make an appointment. I was a little inpatient and called tricare to check the status to find out if i was approved, and I was. In my case both Tricare and the surgeons office called.

I'm Tricare South and just got done with my surgery consultation for Lap-Band. That means Tricare approved the surgeon referral, but still waiting on the surgery approval (should only be a day or two). I was given a break down of any expenses Tricare does not cover. In my case that was a $35 for a 10 day supply of Protein shakes for the pre op diet, and $65 for a post op vitamine and supplament kit (don't know how long the kit lasts). Many of the extra services I will require are included in the surgeons fee, including meeting with a neutritionist. Just a note for those of you seeking the initial approval. My PCM didn't weigh me, just asked my weight. They took my BP and said it was boarderline high. I complained of backpain at night and "potential sleep apnea." The point being that my comorbidites weren't well documented and you don't need to be on deaths door step to get approved. A lot depends on your PCM, if they think you will benefit from the surgery then they will probably make sure that you will get approved in the way they submit their referral. My blog has my experiances so far.

I had put my name on the standby list at the surgeons office incase someone cancelled since it was going to be month before they got me in. They called the next day and I had my appointment the following day. It was an interesting expericance. First my wife and I waited 45 minutes after the appointment time before we actually saw the doctor. Once he did come in he was a pretty flashy dude. He gave me his speil, which I thought was mostly canned. The consultation took all of twenty minutes and by the end he had me sitting in front of his insurance specialist. The insurance lady was nice and told me I should have my insurance approval the following day. I couldn't believe how fast this process has gone. I'm also a little surprised at the lack of verification. My primary docor just took my word for it on the comorbidities and weight, my insurance doesn't require any additional testing. From start to finish this process looks to be about a month. If I hadn't taken so much time to research this surgery, the consult would have been a little upsetting. As it stands now. The doctor seemed to be very competant, his hands didn't shake and he has a nice facility. I've also checked his reviews/stats which are also very good. Can't believe I'm going to be getting this done and how fast it has gone. I'm really excited to start losing some weight! In four months my best friend is getting married and I'm anxious to be there minus a few pounds!

I had put my name on the standby list at the surgeons office incase someone cancelled since it was going to be month before they got me in. They called the next day and I had my appointment the following day. It was an interesting expericance. First my wife and I waited 45 minutes after the appointment time before we actually saw the doctor. Once he did come in he was a pretty flashy dude. He gave me his speil, which I thought was mostly canned. The consultation took all of twenty minutes and by the end he had me sitting in front of his insurance specialist. The insurance lady was nice and told me I should have my insurance approval the following day. I couldn't believe how fast this process has gone. I'm also a little surprised at the lack of verification. My primary docor just took my word for it on the comorbidities and weight, my insurance doesn't require any additional testing. From start to finish this process looks to be about a month. If I hadn't taken so much time to research this surgery, the consult would have been a little upsetting. As it stands now. The doctor seemed to be very competant, his hands didn't shake and he has a nice facility. I've also checked his reviews/stats which are also very good. Can't believe I'm going to be getting this done and how fast it has gone. I'm really excited to start losing some weight! In four months my best friend is getting married and I'm anxious to be there minus a few pounds!

I was an engine specialist on HH-60 pavehawks and c-130s in the AF. I'd love to get a pilots license. I Just don't fit in a cessna right now. I think I'll add that to my to to list (post poundage) :smile2:. I'm wondering if the AF will let me reenlist after WLS?

I called yesterday to make my appointment with the surgeon. I have to wait a whole month! ahh Who wants to be patient?

I called yesterday to make my appointment with the surgeon. I have to wait a whole month! ahh Who wants to be patient?