New here... questions

Hi everyone My name's Ashley, and I live in Colorado Springs. My hubby is in the Army, so I have Tri-Care and I go to Peterson AFB for medical stuff. I'd be curious to hear from other people who might have experiences with Tri-Care and weight loss surgery. I haven't even seen a doctor about anything yet, but I have put on weight recently... an no exercise or dieting seem to be taking it off. I'm quickly approaching 300 pounds, and I just can't live like this anymore... I've been poking around the net and talking to friends, trying to find out what I can about the surgery and everyone's experiences. In fact, a friend referred me here! I'm sure I have a lot of unanswered questions floating around in my mind... right now I'm really curious about the insurance aspect... mostly, will the standard Tri-Care plan cover such a procedure and pay for it fully... is it hard to get approval from the, etc. Also I'm wondering if they cover any type of plastic surgery to get rid of the excess skin after weight loss. You hear a lot on the news anymore about the military doing free plastic surgery... don't know how much of it is fact or fiction, though. Hubby tells me they do have plastic surgeons, though... and they *would* need something to do if they weren't working on a soldier, I guess... I suppose it's rather vain of me to be worrying about that at this point... But I just want to look nice, as well as feel better. I've spent the better part of my life being ridiculed for being "fat" and "ugly"... I can't even imagine a life where I could go from day to day without worrying about that... And along those lines... I'd also be interested to hear from those of you who may have suffered with bad depression and/or anxiety before your surgery... and if the weight loss has helped you at all? I know it wouldn't fix everything... but I would think it would have to help some? Anyhow... if anyone can offer any advice or answers, I'd sure appreciate them! Looking forward to getting to know everyone! Ashley

Hello Ashley! Welcome to the colorado message board. I had the lap Rny on 06/30/04 and Have since lost over 100 lbs. My highest weight was 305 lbs and I was very depressed. I was a mess, emotionally and physically. I suffered from alot of depression and anxiety. I didn't like to be around people I didn't know. I knew what they were thinking but not saying. Since the weight loss I have regained not only my self confidence but my LIFE. I go out with my friends. My marriage is better because I am happier. My kids are happier because I can play with them without getting winded. I would have the surgery again and again If I had to. I have no regrets. I don't have tricare or know anyone with experience there but I have seen people on the board that do. Good luck on your journey. Keep us updated on your progress.. Korianne 305/195/150 -110 lbs 45 to go.

HIJACK!! Korianne, you are looking beautiful!! Way to go on the weight loss. Keep up the great work!! Much Love, kris -99.5!!

Hi Ashley, My husband is AD in CO also, however is stationed at Buckley AFB. I wrote my own referral (I am a nurse at the base clinic) in late aug, received my authorization letter from Tricare (I am prime) had my first appt with Dr Jonathon Schoen who is the only bariatric surgeon in the area who takes Tricare prime three weeks later and was scheduled for surgery on 18 Oct. I have lost 50 lbs in three months. I didn't have depression or anxiety prior to surgery and I feel emotionally as I did prior to the procedure (lap RNY). I had the gastric bypass to avoid diabetes, further weight gain and HTN later in life. I am only 31 and intend to lead a long healthy life, and my weight was beginning to affect what I could do with my family (ie butt really tight on an airplane, not feeling comfortable at the pool, etc.) Tricare was fantastic as my bill was $49K and I paid for NOTHING!! Regarding plastics, Tricare will not pay for anything unless there is a true medical necessity. For example, you have documented severe rashes underneath your pannus or you have documented back pain 2nd to penduluous breasts. Some MTF's do have surgeons who will do perform plastics on patients, however with the war in Iraq, most of them have been deployed to the large medical centers to take care of the wounded. I have already started saving my pennies because even though the surgery may be free, there are very few board certified plastic surgeons who are active duty. Personally, I would rather pay for competence vs. going to someone who does a tummy tuck/breast reduction every so often. I wish you luck and feel free to contact me directly if I can answer any questions for you, Tosh [email protected].

Hi Ashley, my name is Tava and I am new here as well. My husband is active duty army, stationed in Korea, and I receive care at the Air Force Academy. I just had my first appointment with my PCM this morning. I am going back tomorrow morning for my labs and my psych eval. I go on the 15th for my physical and EKG. According to what my PCM told me, I have to have the psych eval, the labs, the physical and EKG and I also have to go to the HAWC (health and awareness clinic. That appointment is on the 2nd. When I called Tricare after my appointment to inquire what I would need, they told me just a referral and then they would send me a letter either approving me or not. She said that the approval letter would state dates when they wanted the surgery to take place. Here's the kicker. There are 2 doctors at Evans that do the surgery but it is my understanding that they are both deployed and that there is a hefty (no pun intended) waiting list upon their return. I asked the lady at Tricare about this and she said that if there wasn't a surgeon available at Evans to do the surgery that they would approval a civilian doctor in their network. I have spent a few hours working this evening looking for a doctor that took Tricare but had no luck. I am not too discouraged by this as it is hard to match up doctors to insurance and the information is always changing. I am very anxious and excited about having the surgery and starting over in life with a new healthy me. I have been overweight my ENTIRE life and it is going to be a rebirth for me. I suspect that I have had mild depression for some time and I recently went on anti-depressants after having a child and issues with post-partum depression. As for the plastic surgery part, I know a lady who had WLS at Evans and also plastic surgery and Tricare covered both. I hope some of this information helps. Since I just started this journey I am kind of in the same boat as you with a lot of questions. Email any time you like! Take care and best wishes! Tava PS go to www.triwest.com and type in gastric bypass surgery it gives you the tricare guidelines. my PCM was very supportive of the surgery.

Hi Ashley, my name is Tava and I am new here as well. My husband is active duty army, stationed in Korea, and I receive care at the Air Force Academy. I just had my first appointment with my PCM this morning. I am going back tomorrow morning for my labs and my psych eval. I go on the 15th for my physical and EKG. According to what my PCM told me, I have to have the psych eval, the labs, the physical and EKG and I also have to go to the HAWC (health and awareness clinic. That appointment is on the 2nd. When I called Tricare after my appointment to inquire what I would need, they told me just a referral and then they would send me a letter either approving me or not. She said that the approval letter would state dates when they wanted the surgery to take place. Here's the kicker. There are 2 doctors at Evans that do the surgery but it is my understanding that they are both deployed and that there is a hefty (no pun intended) waiting list upon their return. I asked the lady at Tricare about this and she said that if there wasn't a surgeon available at Evans to do the surgery that they would approval a civilian doctor in their network. I have spent a few hours working this evening looking for a doctor that took Tricare but had no luck. I am not too discouraged by this as it is hard to match up doctors to insurance and the information is always changing. I am very anxious and excited about having the surgery and starting over in life with a new healthy me. I have been overweight my ENTIRE life and it is going to be a rebirth for me. I suspect that I have had mild depression for some time and I recently went on anti-depressants after having a child and issues with post-partum depression. As for the plastic surgery part, I know a lady who had WLS at Evans and also plastic surgery and Tricare covered both. I hope some of this information helps. Since I just started this journey I am kind of in the same boat as you with a lot of questions. Email any time you like! Take care and best wishes! Tava PS go to www.triwest.com and type in gastric bypass surgery it gives you the tricare guidelines. my PCM was very supportive of the surgery.