delta27

I understand how you feel. I am on day 7 and I really messed up. I had a martini last night and 2 daquairis, potatoes, rice, deviled eggs, ritz crackers., etc...; so I was feeling pretty bad today but then I snapped out of it and began focusing on the rest of the time I have left. I will be banded on the 8th; so I m going to make sure I stick with it for the remainder of the time. If you need help or support we can be partners.

They look at more than BMI they also look at your weight and co-morbidities. My BMI was 36.7 but I was 100 pounds over weight on both ends of the chart. I also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, back pain, and infertility. What is your height and weight? When I started I did not make the weight requirements I was off about 5 - 10 pounds. I decided to pack on some more pounds and wear heavy clothes when i went to get weighed in.

I am not sure if anyone is still reading this thread but I have been APPROVED:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::sneaky::sneaky::thumbup:; I had to appeal but I faxed the appeal in with documentation and it was approved within 3 days. I get banded January 8th. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your first referral is just to see the physician. Once they determine if you are qualified then they will submit an authorization for surgery. Make sure they input all information on the referral i.e. your wrist size to determine your body frame. I was denied b/c they considered me to be medium frame when I was actually small. I had to appeal and it was then approved in about 3 dys.:thumbup:

I am wondering if I can still have my surgery if I change doctors. I have tricare prime(south) but have moved to Virginia which is tricare (north); since I have been approved in the south can I just find a new doctor and not have to go through everything again? Or should I just go ahead and have surgery in South and find doctor to fill in the North?

I need help writing an appeal letter to Tricare; When my information was first submitted; I weighed 219.5 and am 5'6". It was denied. My doctor resubmitted my information on my frame size which is small and my new weight of 228.5; I gained weight after having surgery on my leg and being off for 6 months. Anyway, I am now according to Tricare over 100 pounds and I have HBP, diabetes, infertility, hight cholesterol, arthritis, acid reflux. Where do I start? What do I say? If you have any examples you can send them to delta27@earthlink.net or attach them to an email on here to me. Thanks

I hope its not much. I haven't gotten the letter yet but I looked at my referral on line. I spent 350.00 of my own money for the psychologist and 275.00 of my own money for the doctor's program fee. he gives the program fee back if you don't go through with the surgery. But, I am out of 350.00 or the psychiatrist. I called the doctor's office today but no one has called me back as of yet.

Well today I got the bad news that I was denied through Tricare Prime. I am sooooo upset. I cried for about 30 minutes straight. I don't know how I am typing this b/c I can barely see. Anyway, I am going to appeal; Can someone help me with this process? I am 220lbs.. My BMI is 36- I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux, diabetes, joint pains, and infertility. Why did they deny me? Someone PLEAAAAAASSSSEEE HEP ME.

Does anyone know/suggest/disagree with me getting some of the beginning stages of the process of Lapband done while I am pregnant. I found out I was pregnant after getting the referral approved. The baby is not due until July so I am looking at having it done Sept/Oct. We are scheduled to PCS in December. If I wait until we get to our new duty station I will have to start the process over again. I have been seeing my PCM for 3 years so she knows my conditions. What if any can I get done at this stage? Consult, Psy eval, EKG?

So I have gotten my referral from tricare approving me to see a doctor for the lap band. I had to attend their seminar first, fill out information papers and now I am waiting on them to contact me to set up an appointment to see the doctor. If the doctor says I need it do I have to get another referral or will this suffice? I have a BMI of about 35.5 but I have high blood pressure, diabetes, acid reflux, chronic back pain, etc..... What was your process through tricare?? I am in Savannah, GA.

Well all I have been dying to get this process started and I finally got my amunition to get started. I got my authorization from tricare and attended the seminar on 12/17/2008. I am waiting on the call from the surgeon's off ice to meet with doctor. My husband is currently in Iraq and I wanted to have this new body for him when her returns in May. Well he came home for R&R during the Thanksgiving holiday's and left me with a big Christmas Gift. I found out today; I AM PREGNANT!!! We have been trying for over 2 years with no luck. I have been seeing an infertility specialist from time to time and taking injections but that has not worked. I do not ovulate. The doctor put me on metformin to help with ovulation and I have been taking them ever since. I guess it took 9 months of war to get the job done. What should I do now? Continue with the prelimary things, psych eval, nutrition eval, and then after I have the baby I will be ready to go? Or should I just put it all on hold. We are scheduled to PCS in October. I am due the middle of August. Can I have the surgery before I PCS? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASSSSSEEEE HEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!!!!

Thanks to all for the response. So just to clairfy,(I am not Slow mentally, just in this instance). I already received approval/authorization. My doctor called me and told me I needed to attend the seminar; I did that and now I am waiting on the surgeon's office to call me to set up my first consultation/meeting with him. Will I need to get another authorization or does the authorization I have is all I need for the surgery. This question may have been answered but I am just so excited about getting this done.

Hello All, Army Wife here, '03-06 - Ft. Bragg, NC '06-'09- Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA Will be leaving here in June (Can't wait). Headed to VA for 4 months while my husband is in school and then off to?????? I am hoping Germany or Alaska. Nice to meet you all.

Thanks, That clears up a lot. I have the referral already but I was not sure if I needed to get another. It says it is good until 12/2009 and I have been approved for 6 visits.

Can anyone tell me what the process is going to be when we PCS? I am in the beginning process of getting the lap band but we are schedule to PCS in October/November of 2009. Don't know where we will be going but has anyone spoken with or know anything about how it will work in seeing a new doctor for the checkups and adding solutions, etc...... Thanks

I had no problem getting a referral done. I see a dr. off post and I have been having problems with infertility, blood pressure, diabetes, back problems, etc. So when I asked my dr. about it. She did the request and I got the referral in about a week. I went to the seminar so now i am just waiting to see the doctor.