To Susan Terry...PS

Susan, I just heard from my PS today. Tricare wants something about my weight being stable. The problem I have is I haven't had any reason to go to the doctor since my 6 month follow up for WLS. Any suggestions? Then they want info from my PCP for any problems. Any suggestions.? Thanks Teresa

Start having them "document" troubles now. I know that our surgeon's office will document and prescribe ointments for rashes and will submit that documentation for plastrics. off the record, I hear hot sauce looks like a rash when applied to your skin But that's what I've heard

HEY TERESA, BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVE WLS THESE DAYS THAT THE PLASTICS MEN AND THE INSURANCE CO'S ARE REQUIRING DOCUMENTATION STATING THE NEED FOR HAVING PLASTICS WORK DONE. WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING UP W/ AFTER SURGERY? YOUR SURGEON OR YOUR PCP? START MAKING APPOINTMENTS W/ YOU PCP W/ COMPLAINTS OF YEAST INFECTIONS IN SKIN FOLD AREAS, RASHES IN SKIN FOLD AREAS, etc . . . IF YOU HAVE TO, PUT SOMETING UNDER THE SKIN FOLDS THAT YOU KNOW WILL IRRITATE YOUR SKIN. I KNOW IT SOUNDS DRASTIC BUT IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT HAVING PLASTIC WORK YOU'LL DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. GOOD LUCK AND LET US KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. DONNA, SFY

Hey Teresa, Sorry it took me a bit to get back to you. Tricare wants your weight to be stable for either 3-4 months prior to surgery. So, if you have basically stopped losing, then you've got this weight documented. STAY this weight and then go back in a few months - for whatever reason - and as long as it's the same, there's your proof of your weight being stable. As for the "reason".... rashes, redness, sores, etc are what they are looking for. Supposedly they are supposed to cover the "excess skin removal" from the abdominal area with no problems - as long as it's done before December 31 of the calendar year following your surgery. For us, that would be Dec 31 of this year. I'm not going to make that deadline, so I'm planning to have some "problems" with my pannis. Good luck with it and let me know if I can be of any help to you!! Susan