katwmn63

I'm not in orlando area but a piece of advice would be to see if your surgeon is considered/holds title of "Center of Excellence". This is a gauge some insurance companies use, but even with you being self pay, it helps distinguish the quality of the surgeons/clinics. this forum is a WONDERFUL place to get feedack... you are in the right place! Good Lck!

39andholding... WTG - YOU ARE AWESOME!! Thanks for thinking of us :blushing:

I am 5'3" and 227. This puts me at 40.2 BMI. Similar or close to you!?!? My insurance requires a co-morbid even being over 40 BMI...but many don't. I have a few co-morbids so I think I'll get approved. You and I will do great! We don't HAVE to be 250-350-450 to qualify... we have to be unhealthy and unhappy and ready to make a change!! good luck!!

as far as i know... vitamin D is useful in the body absorbing calcium. could it be that you have been on a pre-op diet and therefore your vitamin D is low? either way, i do not see this as delaying your surgery. nothing the doctor wrote in the letter seemed to allude to that either. i wish you the best:)

Can anyone tell me what exactly has to be in the letter from my PCP for Tricare? I assume they require one, so I made an appt for Monday. BMI is 40.2, I am 100 lbs over ideal weight, my only documented comorbid is arthritis...but if i need a sleep study i will...i know i have apnea. I have NUMEROUS documented, medicaly supervised attempts of weight loss over the years. successful completion of esophagram and nutritionist today. psych eval before my pcp appt monday. For some reason...though i really don't know... i think my doc is kind of conservative. he is very kind, our boys go to school together, and we have discussed my weight several times. Just wondering what I need to ask him to write.?.?:biggrin: any input would be wonderful!! Thanks!

explainl to him that if you don't learn to do it yourself...for yourself...including making your own mistakes to learn from, that you will fail. "what will i learn honey if you do it all for me"? tell him to fight his battle (protecting the U.S.) and you'll fight yours. good luck !!

I am going through my preop testing...and though I haven't lied outright, I haven't been completely open to my husband about my intentions to have the surgery. I told him I wanted to have the surgery several months ago... he just said that was rediculous, that I should just diet and exercize. He has always been negative about any kind of medical intervention for weight loss... about anything really. He sees it as being weak. I drop bits of info here and there that, I am seeing the doctor, how I am preparing for a major change in eating, etc. I think he knows my intentions and is almost afraid to ask. I am a very independant woman. Noone tells me what to do when it comes to my health. He knows this about me and though I KNOW he will complain, he also loves this about me..that I am strong willed. My adult kids are very supportive as are my dearest friends and my dad. My question is....will this be enough? Has anyone else had a spouse that didn't support their decision? If so how did they handle this?

Thank you so much! You also are great support...and I sincerely thank you!!!

Ideere, You are brave as evidenced by taking this huge WLS step. Your bravery will carry you even further. ((BIG HUG ))

took your advice and just checked. YES he is a "Center of Excellence" whew!

Thanks Restless... you've helped me a few times now and I really appreciate it!!!!! :biggrin:

what was your BMI and comorbids?

my paperwork will likely be submitted by the end of next week to Tricare. I am sending lots of positive thoughts your way and would love it if you let us all know when you hear back. :redface: btw.. whomever your boss is...she should stuff a sock in it! she doesn't know what she is talking about and has ZERO control over Tricare's decisions.

UPDATE: My husband and I were doing alot of yardwork with the kids...I was in agony. My joints my feet, etc. When we all came in the house I sat sweating, breathing heavy and finaly I started to cry. I couldn't help it. He asked if I was gonna be ok and I spilled!!! I told him I was in pain, and for the first time ever, I spilled how much I REALLY weigh and how often I hurt. He was shocked to hear my real weight and my true condition!!!! The kid's mouths dropped open too. I took this opportunity to talk about the procedure and the steps I have already taken. I am so glad I did. My husband realizes I need to do something and supports my decision now. One of the previous posts here shared wth me the 2% success rate of those in my condition without WLS...he did not like those odds. This feels good and right and I am more ready than ever now! You are all wonderful and I thank you.

Thank you all for your info. You have helped a great deal. The only other question is... did anyone have any difficulty getting a letter of medical necessity from their PCP? With Tricare/military health care and never seeing the same doc, this can be difficult I would imagine. Again my thanks!!

I have tricare insurance. My surgeon received the "paperwork" from Tricare and has scheduled my esophagram, psych, nutrition ... all this week. I know they want info regarding previous attempts at weight loss ad comorbidities if any (arthritis, and narcolepsy that i am not getting tx for, is all I have) and I have already collected all that. I have had several medicaly supervised attempts at weight loss which is documented. In fact, I have continued to gain. My current BM is 41. I am hoping someone can give me any info on how easy/difficult Tricare is to work with. So far the only person I found on here who used Tricare was easily approved but she was much larger...she assumes that is why there was no difficlty for her. I would appreciate any info. I'm so ready and motivated, but so afraid the rug will be pulled out from under me. Thanks!

Can any one tell me what to expect from the psych eval? I've got my demons but I have healed and choose to leave it in the past. I will however bring it to the surface if necessary for approval of this procedure .. is this the kind of thing they look to do?? SOS:confused:

a couple quick things come to mind: - shop around. even when you consider travel costs, you may be able to find it much cheaper....in fact i am sure of it. -do you own a car or anything of value where you could qualify for a secured loan? bad credit is less of a factor for lines that are secured by some kind of valuable collateral. - are you employable? work toward independace from your parents while at the same tme finding employment that offers quality healthcare benefits. You will have a grace period, but it's a start. -is there another family member or friend that your parents trust that might see your side and help sit down and educate them? Maybe they need to hear it from another professional, older, adult. I wish you the best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Ann!

could you tell me of any potential issues i may have with tricare? I am applying throufg them now. Thanks for any info you can give me. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!

This is something I must do for me... with or without his support. I feel better knowing I am not alone in this ...that others have experienced this with their spouses. I feel even better knowing that many of you met this challenge with success. I will too. THANK YOU ALL!!!

This is something I will definately try...and I know just the person. Thank You!!

Thanks for this! I am new to this process. I do not have a (written) plan in place but this gives me great ideas on where to start!