eadreel

I started thinking about wls five or six years ago.  I met a few women who had our insurance cover it.  They had the bypass done.  And half the women I have met with the bypass are alcoholics and have gained all the weight back.  So bypass was not looking good for me, but I was willing to still consider it.  Then I found out that Tricare covers banding now.  I was ecstatic.  I have continued to research wls.  The pros and cons and about 8 months ago I went to my PCM and told her I wanted wls.  She made me do 7 months of supervised diet and exercise before she would refer me to talk to a surgeon.  Finally I got her referral to talk to a surgeon.  Within 4 buisness days Tricare approved my initial referral and within three weeks I had my consult appointment with Dr. Jenkins in Auburn, CA.  So far I think he is awesome!  He spent an hour and a half talking to me and going over the info binder he hands out to his patients.  Then I had four pages of questions to ask that weren't covered by my research and his spiele.  My husband has been a great support during the seven months I have had to toe the line with my healthy eating habits and recording them.  Since my first doctor's appointment in Nov 09 to June 10 I have lost 20-25 pounds.  The nutrition math says I should have lost 50 or more pounds.  I have Pre-diabetes, PCOS, hypertension, and high cholesterol.  I also have a bit of depression and anxiety about being fat.  I have worked really hard on the psych issues revolving around food and have brought my emotional eating and binge eating under control.  But the damage has been done to my metabolism.  I can't wait and I hope Tricare doesn't try to screw around with my approval to have the surgery.  I feel that this is the right decision for me and the tool I have been waiting my whole adult life for.