Anyone ever done this as a Military dependent?

My husband is active Army and my insurance is military provided. Has anyone ever done this with TriCare? or in the post hospital? I want to do the band version of the surgery, forgive me for not knowing proper names or acronyms for these surgeries. I really need some positive encouragement here for I am scared and very uninformed. Thank you D.R.

I am a military dependent. I just had my surgery last month. I was originally going to get the lap band, but halfway through the process, stupid Tricare Prime decided it was too experimental and immediately quit covering it on 9/17/03, so I ended up getting gastric bypass (RnY) instead, which is what you will have to do unless you want to pay for it yourself (approximately $15,000 unless you get it in Mexico for around $7000 and do your follow-up care here). I was amazed at how fast everything was approved. I had my first appointment with my surgeon in early September and had a surgery date by October (I had to reschedule). The longest wait is to get in to see the surgeon (or possibly your psych consult). I live in Louisville, and my surgeon is here, as is the hospital at which I had the surgery (University Hospital). I'm not sure why I didn't have it at Ft. Knox. I guess they don't have a surgeon to do it there. I got my September appointment for my surgeon way back in March, so I went ahead and did my pre-op stuff (for me, dietician and psych consults) at Ft. Knox before my first surgeon's visit to speed things up. I still go to Ft. Knox for my B-12 shots, but that's about it. They didn't even have the prescription I need to take (Pepcid), so I have to get it through the Mail Order Pharmacy Program. From what I hear, there is also a fabulous support group at Ft. Knox that meets monthly. I go to one here in Louisville; however, 98% of the members are lap-banders, so their concerns and questions don't apply to me most of the time. However, you should find out if there is one at the closest MTF to you and go now so you can ask questions and get to know the people at your base, find out which surgeons are recommended/should be avoided, etc. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Hope I was of some help to you. Tanya

Desiree, Your in my neck of the woods. I am also at ft Campbell. I had my open rny here on base in may of 2002. Because the gastric program is open on base again you have to have it on base, tricare will not let you be refered out. They do not do the gastric banding on post , only the open rny at this time. The gastric program at Ft Campbell is awesome. here is a basic list of how it works here. 1. make an appt with your pcp for a referral to the general surgery clinic 2. when they recieve it and they have an opening (may be months) you wil be contacted to attend a class. 3. After the class you will then see the surgeon and he will give you a list of stuff you need to do. Nutrition 2 appts, psyc, consists of a mmpi test, a meeting going over the results of the mmpi test, 3 pre op gastric support group meetings held on base, blood work, xray, upper gi, pulmonary, sleep apnea (if required), and their may be more from your surgeon. I had Dr galapon he is awesome! It is a long journey with alot of waiting be patient. If you have any questions let me know and i will answer them if i can. If you go to the gastric support group you will most likely meet me. I used to co-lead the group with mr herman until i went back to work a few months ago, i recently changed my days off so i could go back. kristi ky 5-6-02 302 to 120 open rny http://hometown.aol.com/kristi-kyindex.html

i would so like to talk to you..... many questions. Would you be willing to correspond via email? My email is [email protected] .....Desiree