Anyone having surgery at a military base?

[cookarue 233]

I'm going through all the pre-op fun. I've got my nutrition classes scheduled, my EGD scheduled, and I'm waiting on the psych consolation to be scheduled. My surgeon said that I'm a great candidate, and he doesn't see a reason for my surgery not to happen in December. Anybody else getting surgery through a military base? I'm also really interested in their plastic surgery department for a Tummy Tuck down the line (super far away from that I know), because I'm a planner. I was wondering if anyone knows the out of pocket expense for that?

[LoseItKacy 347]

Are you using tricare for insurance?

[cookarue 233]

Yes I am. But, thankfully I'm being treated on base so I haven't had to jump through TriCare hoops.

[LoseItKacy 347]

I didn't really have hoops to go through with tricare but they could never give my clinic a clear requirement on what they wanted. Thankful I got approved the first time. I have tricare standard (I live in Minnesota too far away from a base to be on prime) so I didn't need referrals or anything which was nice. But my clinic called them multiple times about a set "structured weight loss" period and sometimes we heard 6 months. One time I heard none was needed. Another time they said 3. I did 4 months and it was approved. I have to get bypass because tricare doesn't cover the sleeve but I know people who live on base that have had the sleeve because they are on a base having it done by military doctors.

[cookarue 233]

Yes! The doctors here said that they do sleeve 80% of the time, which I wasn't expecting to hear. I'm still doing rny though because of the reflux, and it's been studied for so long.

[cookarue 233]

When are you going to have your surgery? They said I'll get mine in December but I have to wait on exact dates for their schedule to be available.

I'm SO freaking excited about it

[obaachan 1]

I had my surgery on Ft wainwright here in Ak. Only tri care

[cookarue 233]

How did you find the process? Pretty easy? What type of surgery did you get?

[obaachan 1]

I had the sleeve done stayed 2 days and I feel great still not eating solid food well I eat mashed tater microwave chicken slices

[LoseItKacy 347]

My surgery is in 8 days. Tricare was really quick on the approval process (I was approved about a month ago). The only thing that sucked was they sent my approval letter in the mail. Apparently tricare hasn't caught up with technology. No one sends things in the mail like that anymore! Lol I got my approval letter before my hospital did so I emailed it to them (my hospital wouldn't schedule my date until they had the letter from tricare)

[cookarue 233]

6 days left to go!! I'm really excited for you Can't wait to see before and after pics guys...

[ar1kah12 3]

I had my surgery on Ft wainwright here in Ak. Only tri care

That is awesome when I started the process there two years ago or so I had to fly into anchorage! Congrats. I am now back at fort Gordon and began the process back in July.

[amschuttpelz 6]

Can anyone that's having or has had their surgery done on a military base, tell me what the whole process is like? I went to see the plastic surgeon on base for something totally unrelated, but she said if I wanted she would have the bariatric dept call me to start the process. I'm just curious what I'm in for. Were there a lot of visits, etc? I live about 45 mins away from the base so I'm hoping it's not a ton.

Oh...to the person who asked about plastic surgery....I couldn't help myself, so I asked the doctor about a Tummy Tuck and a breast lift while I was there. She said (here at this base), it's done on a fee schedule. She said she only charges for one procedure. So basically, a breast lift and a tummy tuck together would normally cost about $20k...at this base it's about $5k.

[cookarue 233]

I already can't wait for my tummy tuck! Lol. I'll have had a total of 8 appointments I had to come to the hospital for plus lab work, which I did on another appointment day. Then I have the 3-7 day stay at the hospital, then the follow ups and follow up nutrition class.

I've had:

Meeting with doctor in a group

Meeting with Dr one on one (same day as group)

2 nutrition classes

Lab work

EGD (an outpatient surgery they look into your stomach beforehand)

Pre-Op appointment

Lab work

Psychological evaluation

Anesthesiologist appointment

Then actual surgery this coming December 29th

I had a friend who also had to do a follow up appointment with the same doctor.

I'm sure you can get some of the appointments scheduled the same days as others so you can make fewer visits. The whole process has been very very simple, they don't require a 6 month diet program like some places do, and everything is totally free (except food and vitamins). My journey began in October, and the thing that took the longest is actually waiting for the surgeon to have an open day in his schedule. It's awesome. Best of luck to you.

Edited December 10, 2015 by cookarue

[amschuttpelz 6]

Thank you for responding!! I'm pretty hopeful after reading what you wrote. I was thinking it was going to be a LONG process with LOTS of visits, and LOTS of waiting for something to happen. 2 months is amazing!!

Would you mind updating me about your journey?? I know a lot of people are on here doing that, but having it all done at a military base kind of changes things. I want to know what to look forward to...and not, lol. Feel free to private message me, and I'll give you my email address.

Thanks again!