So so tired...

I am exhausted from all the frustration and hoops that have to be jumped through to get ready and approved for this surgery. I was denied by Tricare because they only cover open and my surgeon only does lap. I'm tempted to pay for it myself but I am so worried about the possibility of complications and being in debt. Now I find out I can get it done in a military hospital but it will take another five months. I want to scream because I have done all of the tests and have been signed off by my PCP, the pulmonologist, I had documented diets, the cardiologist, I've had the psych eval and the nutrition consult, I've had the bloodwork - now I don't know what to do. Does anybody have any advice. I am so tired from the emotions of this I can barely stand it. Plus my family are saying on the one hand - okay just go cash and on the other well lets wait for the military doc. Meg

You are right. Tricare now only approves the open procedure. Do some searching to find a Tricare approved surgeon who performs the open in your area. They may accept the testing you have already done. The doctor I initially chose only performed the lap, so I, too, had to change. I found one here in the Atlanta area who is on the Tricare list and performs open. By the way, did Tricare require documented diets? I have heard some people say "yes", and some say "no" and some say they have to be within the last 3 years, etc. Hang in there, don't give up so easily. Patti