TriCare; Just started my journey. - ThinnerTimes

mommy_to_two · 10-31-2007, 09:19 AM

I am another TriCare Prime person. I just started my 6 month dietary requirement yesterday. I got a referral to a dietian, and she started my documentation. I go to see the GB surgeon on November 19th, and my PCP on November 9th. I am hoping to get the rest of my referrals on the 9th.

This is my concern... I am right at the 40 BMI mark. If I lose too much weight, my surgery won't get approved. ARGH!!

rgbmom1 · 10-31-2007, 10:41 PM

my bmi was never at 40 and i had no other complaints. I was 270 the day of surgery. I think it must just be the luck of where you are at. I did my stuff at Ft. lewis and know there were even smaller gals there than myself. Good luck to you though.

mommy_to_two · 11-01-2007, 05:04 AM

Mandy ~ Thanks so much for the reply!! I appreciate it. I think you are right too. I think it depends on where you are, and who gets your application that day.

Raingirl33 · 11-21-2007, 08:50 AM

HI .. I am Tricare too and I didnt have any problems , I didnt have to do a 6 month supervised diet ,I guess my PCP knew I had been overweight and unhappy for several years. I went to my PCP and she did a ref. to the Naval Hospital and they approved me right away.. I did my "to do list" and got all the testing and classes done which took about 5 weeks from beginning to end .They told me as long as I had my sleep study done and all the blood work and such and took the weight management and nutrition classes I was good to go . I got my ref. in Oct and had surgery in Nov. They did require me to lose 10% of my excess body weight prior ro surgery. I had mine done in San Diego . I was 217 the day of my surgery.. From my exp. Tricare is one of the easiest to deal with .

Best of Luck ! I ma here if you have any questioons

Happpy Holidays!

Corrine · 11-21-2007, 09:08 AM

I'm another Madigan (Ft.Lewis) gal.

I didn't have to do a 6 month diet either although we were all asked to lose 10-15lb beforehand. I took that to heart and lost 35lb.

That meant my BMI dropped from 43.2 to 37.4 on the day of surgery.

Escondido Elf · 11-21-2007, 05:04 PM

I'm Tricare Prime in San Diego and, start to finish, my whole preliminary to surgery took just about 5 weeks! I had a primary care visit to discuss the surgery, she put the referral in, I talked to the doctor they offered, he had a cancellation and I got my psych sign-off, and surgery 4/12/07! I have lost 102lbs (317 day of surgery) and my only co-morbidity was controlled high blood pressure. I am thrilled with my experience -- good luck!