Jess77

Hi! I don't know if you've had any news about Tricare since your original post but I thought I'd share my experience. I also have Tricare and had no problems being approved for the surgery. My BMI is 40 and I have no comorbidities. I was approved within 2 weeks last December by Tricare. I didn't go through with the surgery though as I did not like my doctor whatsoever. *I see you're in San Diego. So am I. If you need advice about doctors, I'm happy to help.* Now I've found another doctor and once again Tricare approved the surgery. Now I'm just waiting for a date.

Thank you so much for the feedback. I will definitely be asking these questions to my doctor.

Hello, I'm fairly new to this site and was seeking some information. More than likely I'm going to be a self-pay patient. I have an idea of what the cost of a fill will run me. My question is, if the fill is too tight and an unfill has to be done, am I responsible for payment of that as well? More than anything right now I want to have this procedure done, but I'm fearful that I'll be paying out hundreds of dollars every month on fills and unfills. Any information anyone can provide is much appreciated :thumbup:

Hi Shannon! I'm also in San Diego and am 30 years old and so ready to have this procedure :frown: My initial evaluation is next Friday and I'm so looking forward to it. I'm ready to get this whole process going! How did your appointment with your primary care physician go? Have you decided who you would like to do your surgery? I haven't gone through my primary care physician. I don't think my insurance will cover the surgery so I've opted to go straight to the doctor who will perform the surgery. I fully believe I'm a good candidate and I'm hoping to not be put on a medically observed diet before a surgery date can be placed. But I guess I'll know more next week. Ideally I would love to have the surgery within the next couple of months. I think I'm just as eager as you to get this done and be on the way to healthier, skinnier person!

I was hoping to find someone who has had the lap band procedure with Dr. Bhoyrul here in the San Diego area and that has Tricare insurance. I've been told that Dr. Bhoyrul doesn't have a contract with Tricare so his surgeon fees would not be covered but that all other fees (such as the use of the medical facility, anethesia, etc.) would be covered by Tricare since the procedure is done at Scripps medical clinic which is contracted by Tricare. Any input about this would be much appreciated. I'm trying to decide between UCSD and Dr. Bhoyrul. Is there anyone out there that has been in this same situation who had to choose between these two?

Hi Susan, Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I was initally scheduled to go in for the eval next Wednesday but due to work obligations I had to reschedule for May 21st. I have to admit now you've got me a bit nervous about the doctors looking at my belly and the picture. How uncomfortable! As for the picture, is it just of you standing there in regular clothes or in a hospital gown? And for the showing of the belly...do you just lift up your shirt, do they make you put a gown on, do they touch you? I can just picture them poking at my belly fat! :cool2: Anything you're willing to share to better prepare myself for would be very helpful. I'm not sure if they will put me on a diet or not. My diet is pretty good. I tend to eat lots of chicken, veggies, and whole grains. I think my problem though is that I eat too much of those things. Too much of a good thing can be bad! I'm always hungry though. That's why I want this surgery to get rid of the hunger. In the summer I live on fruit and remarkably I gain weight so quickly on fruit. But is it better for me to eat fruit or candy? I'm thinking the fruit is better yet puts the weight on me just as candy would. My downfall with unhealthy food would be Cereal. I love cereal! Nice, sugary, cereal! I tend to eat it at night when I'm hungry and I know this can't be good for me. Right now I'm about two points shy of the 40 BMI I need for my insurance purposes. So I say in shame, that for the last week all I've eaten is food that is high in calories and fat as I'm actually try to gain weight! I feel so horrible though! I'm tired and feel heavy and just overall gross! How do they weigh you at UCSD? Can you wear your street clothes and shoes? Any little ounce could help me. Thank you so much for your input. It's good to know someone is going through the same thing. I'd like very much to stay in touch :biggrin2: Jessica

Hi Susan, I was also wondering about Dr. Horgan. I went to the seminar at UCSD last Wednesday and made a firm decision that I want to get this procedure done. I have my first initial evaluation next Wednesday. I'm hoping to meet Dr. Horgan in person at that time. So far everyone that I have dealt with at UCSD has been wonderful. Extremely kind and caring and proactive. I couldn't be happier. Hope it continues on this way. My only concern at this point is that my insurance won't cover the surgery. I should have a better idea about that though next week. Have you attended a seminar yet? Jessica