newbie with military questions

hello everyone, i am brand new here!  i have just rec'd a referral from my pcm, my husband is military and it has been a long process just to get this referral.  it is for an evaluation with dr. duncan at peachtree bariatric. 

so here are my questions....i'm wondering how long the process could potentially take from here to surgery?---i have not had any of the psych eval., stress test, cardio visits, etc...are these appointments scheduled through my pcm, or the surgeon's office? 

what is the time period after having surgery to be completely discharged/released from the doctor?  dh currently has a package in to an overseas embassy, and it seems this referral could be the end to that as the entire family must be medically cleared prior to be accepted.


thanks for all your help.....i'm really enjoying reading the information on this forum.

As every surgeon does things differently, I would call the surgeon's office and ask them  how they handle military. For me, I had all my pre-op requirements done at the hospital on post. It made it easier for me, and I didn't have to worry about getting Tricare to approve every single test. So, that may be an option for you. Check with your surgeon and see if he/she will accept tests/evals from the MTF.

I have no information about hospital stay time, hopefully someone that has the same surgeon as you can answer that for you.

I know it can be frustrating when dealing with the military. Just try and relax. My husband had to give up an assignment a few years back because our oldest daughter was enrolled in EFMP.  It turned out to be a blessing. I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason. So, just try and focus on getting yourself healthy, and everything else will fall into place.

Holly

thanks holly!  unfortunately the base we are at does not have a hospital.  it's more like a clinic.  they do have a lab and radiograph area.  maybe they will be able to these things. 

it is really looking like we are going to lose this assignment which breaks my heart.  i've wanted to go overseas for a very long time and dh hits his 20 year mark in august, so our time is limited.  but the alternative of not going through with this breaks my heart too since i've been jumping through these hoops for a long time as well. 

i also believe that everything happens for a reason, it's just hard to make those either-or decisions.  neither decision is an easy one.

I can help....Have you been to Dr. Duncan's seminar yet? If not that is your next step. From there you will fill out a packet and send or take it into their office. I sent my package return receipt and then called the office to make sure they received it. They will then accept you as a patient and send you a list of every clearance you need to get. I had to see a cardiologist (EKG, stress test, and echo) to get clearance, a pulmonolgist (sleep study) because I have asthma to get clearance, a psych eval, and the exercise/nutrition class. The tests you need depends on the specialist you see and what they require to give you their clearance for surgery.  I made the appointments myself with referrals I received through my PCM. I used a psychologist on Duncan's list and paid out of pocket and went to the nutrition class and paid out of pocket. I did all the work and got all the copies of test and clearances. Make copies of everything and keep one for yourself. I also had to have my PCM do a physical and a bunch of blood tests. I compiled all my test results and clearances in  a package and sent it return receipt to Dr. Duncan's office. I gave them a week and then started calling every couple days to see if it had been submitted for approval.

I'm not sure when you would receive a release from the surgeon's office. I go back for my 6 month check up in August. 

Hope that helped some.

thank-you so much!  i've called their office and they told me about going to the seminar before even scheduling an appointment.  the next seminar is july 18.  they just had a seminar last saturday but i didn't know i would need to go or i would have went to that one. 

Thanks for all the info, it is really helpful!  i hope everything is going great for your and your 6 month check-up is all clear!

thank-you again!!!! .