Using TriCare Prime... help finding surgeon

Ok, here’s the deal… When we arrived in GA early January, I started researching WLS very heavily. I read tons and tons of information online. I visited this website at well as Obesity Help and the ASBS websites for information. I’ve read three books on WLS and have ordered three more. I learned what it means when a practice is designated as a Center of Excellence. So I started looking in my area for surgeons who practice at a CoE. None of them take my insurance, so I found a practice in SC that was up to par with my expectations. I went to see my PCM for a referral. Easy peasy, she had no problems taking care of that for me. My husband is stationed at an Army base. So when I got a call from the Tricare referral person at the base hospital, she said that there are some great bariatric surgeons who do WLS at the base hospital. I thought “great!” She informed me that the surgery clinic has applied for designation as a Center of Excellence, but the numbers aren’t quite there yet. I thought to myself “well, that’s good” and decided to go ahead and schedule myself for the program at the base hospital. During the information session I attended on Feb 12, I was able to meet with the chief of bariatric surgery. He’s a really great person, has a great bedside manner and is very compassionate towards people suffering from this terrible disease of obesity. I was hoping against hope that I would be put on his list for a consult. But it didn’t work out that way. I’m scheduled with a different surgeon. While researching on the OH website, I was able to look up surgeons by name and find out information about their bariatric surgery experience. None of the doctors at the base hospital have their stats listed. So I’m going to be asking the surgeon I was placed with what his stats are. I would have done that with any surgeon I went to. Now here is my dilemma: One of the things I’ve read from several resources has said to choose a surgeon who has performed at least 125 of the surgery you are wanting and whose practice is primarily bariatrics. Some other important factors to me are how long the surgeon has been in practice and what type of bariatric training the surgeon underwent. What if the surgeon I’m scheduled with isn’t “up to par” with what I’m expecting or prefer? Do I then request to switch to the surgeon I met previously? Or do I go ahead and request a referral to a practice where I already have statistics for? Am I over thinking this? Am I being too picky? ARRGH!!  My consult isn’t until March 7 and this is driving me NUTS!!

Hi how are you? I had my surgery in Hawaii and went through a bit of a burp with Tricare. At first they referred me out to a doc who didn't even do the surgery so back on the phone I got and found another doc who wanted me to pay out of pocket and them be reimbursed by Tricare...didn't work for me I don't have 20,000.00 laying around..FINALLY I found Dr. Balfour and asked for him and got him. However, I only went through this because the bariatric surgeons (or those who could perform the surgery) were deployed and therefore Tripler was referring all of it's surgery patients out to  civ. docs. I got SOOOO lucky because from what I understand (and I could be wrong) if there is a doc on post that does the surgery Tricare won't refer you out to a civ. doc. I would definitely give Tricare a call and see what they have to say about this. Please be ready you may have to speak to a few people before you reach one who KNOWS what your talking about and UNDERSTANDS what you need.  I wish you the best of luck and please keep us updated on how things go. I am currently stationed at Fort. Benning and tried for surgery here back in 01 when were stationed here the first time and it didn't work out but I hear they have come a long way since then so hopefully that means MTF's are getting current with obesity and all the issues we face. GOOD LUCK~~I wish you all the best!  Jamie

I  had my WLS  done at Fort Gordon Aug 1st 2007  my Surgeon was Dr  Cho.    Dr Chasen  and Dr Frizzle  also do the surgery.  I had to wait  a bit for mine as I wanted Dr Cho  to do  my surgery as he does  the Lap.  The girl I shared a room with in the hospital  had Dr Chasen  as her surgeon. There is  also a girl who  I go to support group with who had Dr Chasen as her surgeon and she loves him. Feel free to ask me any question  you may have .  I had my surgery on a Wed morning and was released to go home on Fri  morning.