TriCare and BMI of 35

USMCwifeandTEACHER · February 17, 2011

Hello all,

Glad I stumbled upon this website in my almost obsessive research in deciding which type of WLS is for me.

I'm hear to ask a couple of questions.

First let me give you the stats:

1. TriCare Standard in sunny San Diego: Almost approved with surgeon at Scripps but want the sleeve and have been told to go to an MTF through web searching and friends.

2. BMI is 35.6 w/ SEVERE sleep apnea (136 episodes per hour) and Type II diabetes

3. Have done all the major hoop jumping on the civilian side and am worried that IF I get in at MTF (Balboa) that they'll make me go through hoops again which will suck since I paid out of pocket for psych eval, diet classes, final orientation class and dietician.

4. Also worried that I'll have to wait another six months FOR WHAT?

5. Worried that they'll say HELLS NO, just go workout since my BMI is 35

I mean I just can't get a RNY... what does RNY do for someone with a BMI of 35? I heard you lose appetite and if so, it will be torture to eat.

Thanks for the insight my fellow sleeve journeyors

Tiffykins · February 17, 2011

You meet the standards for bariatric surgery with the 2 co-morbidities. As for getting the sleeve, I don't know what the rules are for Balboa, but they shouldn't make you redo all the pre-op stuff. Just take your records with you.

As for the 6 month wait, in the grand scheme of things, a lifetime with the sleeve vs. a lifetime with RNY is well worth the 6 month wait to have the surgery you want and that is best for you and your life. That's just my opinion. I would not settle for a surgery that I didn't truly want for the rest of my life.

Strap some ankle weights around your ankles under bootcut jeans and throw your BMI to 36-37. I know that isn't very "morally sound", but I'm sharing with you what others have done to get approval.