Gastric Sleeve through the VA

[Caillouetla 0]

Has anyone went through the VA for WLS? I’m in the process but feeling like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It’s been almost a year in the works. FINALLY I have a consultation (end of November). I’ve completed all of the labs, 6 month diet, ultrasound of gallbladder, tests, and met all of the criteria. I’m just wondering how long after the consult was your surgery?

Edited October 25, 2017 by Caillouetla

[confusedturtle3 246]

My husband is retired and we are on Tricare Standard. My requirements were 3 months of nutritional counseling, surgical consults, a psych consult, upper GI and blood tests. After all of that my surgery date was set for November 21st. My BMI was at a 41 when I started and it is just over 40 now, I do not have any of the comorbidities listed on the Tricare website. I did try a few times while hubby was active duty, to have WLS but I backed out every time I lost 15-20 lbs.


Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

[confusedturtle3 246]

Has anyone went through the VA for WLS? I’m in the process but feeling like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It’s been almost a year in the works. FINALLY I have a consultation (end of November). I’ve completed all of the labs, tests, and met all of the criteria. What is next?

I was told the last time that retired military have to go through the same process but that was 7 years ago so it may have changed.


Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

[Caillouetla 0]

I’ve done the 6 month diet, blood work, ultrasound of gallbladder, physc test, and a few other labs. It seems strange the consult was scheduled AFTER all of the tests. I guess just not knowing if it’s YES or not is what’s killing me. It’s been a waiting game.

[Caillouetla 0]

1 hour ago, confusedturtle3 said:

My husband is retired and we are on Tricare Standard. My requirements were 3 months of nutritional counseling, surgical consults, a psych consult, upper GI and blood tests. After all of that my surgery date was set for November 21st. My BMI was at a 41 when I started and it is just over 40 now, I do not have any of the comorbidities listed on the Tricare website. I did try a few times while hubby was active duty, to have WLS but I backed out every time I lost 15-20 lbs.


Have a great day!
Amanda
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish

Thank you for responding. I’ve donw all of the same: the diet, psyc counseling, labs, ultrasound of gallbladder, etc. How long after you met the criteria did it take for you to get a date? My consult is 11/22.

[confusedturtle3 246]

Thank you for responding. I’ve donw all of the same: the diet, psyc counseling, labs, ultrasound of gallbladder, etc. How long after you met the criteria did it take for you to get a date? My consult is 11/22.

My initial appt with my surgeon & nutritionist was in early August. I had all of my labs done the following day. I’ve had a monthly nutrition appt in Sept & Oct, Psych eval in Sept and my final doc appt in early October. That day I scheduled my surgery and the surgeon sent his recommendation to Tricare. I received my approval letter within a week. I am going through Tricare Standard though, which means I’m using a civilian surgeon/hospital.


Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]