Military Spouces?

paxie · February 10, 2009

Have you PCS'd since getting banded?

The reason I asked was because I was thinking maybe I should do the LB instead of the Realize band. It seems that there are more doctors who do the LB than Realize and I don't want to risk moving somewhere and not being able to find a doctor.

paxie · February 13, 2009

doing the bumpity bump

LessJess · February 13, 2009

AF wife here...I got the band b/c that was what was covered w/ tricare. it was that or bypass.

we are separating from the AF in 3 weeks (yippee!) and I've already called ahead to where we will be moving and got on with a practice there...no problems... no fees... I'm sure I'll be switching insurance providers as well, but for now, I'll be cash pay for my fills.

do you know where you will PCS next? you might be able to get a medical hardship pcs to only places w/ doctors near.

paxie · February 13, 2009

Congrats!

no clue where we are moving to just yet, still doing the wait and see game. lol...

BratKat · February 13, 2009

I was banded Nov 2007 and PCS'd last summer....to Yuma, AZ....where there are no bariatric surgeons at all. I was living in my hometown while DH was on a one year unaccompanied tour. So it didn't make a difference for me. I still haven't been able to get a surgeon in Phoenix (3hrs away) to commit to me as a patient but I see my LB surgeon when I go "home" to visit my family.

Good luck though.

El Diablo · February 13, 2009

I asked my RN insurance care coordinator when she called to tell me I was approved about Realize vs. Lap and she said, they don't care which model you get, they are paying for the procedure itself and makes no difference about which you choose. Also PCS is not a problem even if you go to an MTF that doesn't offer support for fills, all you will need is a new referal to a civilian doctor in the area that does it, in network of course is preferred.