saying hello to Mississippi

Hi everyone....I'm new to the board, awaiting a date (should be anyday now).  I've been lurking around this board for a whilie and thought I should introduce myself and say hello.  Thanks to everyone for being here....I've learned so much from OH.

Welcome!  Let us know when you get your date so we can celebrate with you!
Denise 

Thanks Denise, I am learning to be patient, the HARD way! 

Welcome to the Mississippi board.  I hope you get your date soon.  Let us know how things progress.  Chime in anytime with questions or anything you need.

Melissa

Thanks Melissa, I just sent a prompt to the doctor's office.  Maybe I'll hear something soon.  I guess everyone goes thru this impatient insane hurry up and wait for the surgery date.   Somehow in a strange perverse way that brings me comfort, kinda like rites of passage or something...lol

Welcome fellow lurker. I lurked for about a year before I actually posted. Now I am addicted.

Plus I just send all my friend to my blog to get my updates. It makes it a whole lot easier than trying to remember who I updated on what. LOL!

As I am only 1 week after my lap band surgery, I probably couldn't answer most of your questions, as I am still learning myself. But please don't hesitate to ask anyway.

CONGRATS on your decision!

Tammy in Hattiesburg.

Yes, we all go through the waiting patiently period.  It is so very worth it in the end.  I hope you don't have to wait too long. 

Thanks everyone!  You have made me feel so very welcome.  I do have an update....
I spoke with the doctor's office yesterday.  My paperwork was faxed to Tricare, and we should get written approval in the next day or so.  I know I've already been approved.  The doctor's office  said the doctor will be out the first two weeks of September for personal reasons, [he's moving into a new house] and it would be the third week in September before I could have my surgery.  We talked further and in the course of our conversation I learned their might be an opening this coming Tuesday, August 26th,  on the surgery schedule as someone is scheduled may not have their surgery.  The lady said she would know Friday and I could have the spot if the patient could not proceed.  I do not know the reasons for that patient not proceeding, but I would feel bad if something was wrong with her and she couldn't proceed.   Really, I would.  Having said that, my "evil heart" would take that spot in a heart beat.  Anyway, I told the staff that I could be ready to go and could be there Monday for my pre-op stuff.  They are to call me tomorrow (Friday) and let me know if surgery is now or later.  So, I'm anxious to hear from her tomorrow.  I can't wait to start a new thread....MY SURGERY IS ____________!!!!!! 

Just wondering which Tricare you have.  We have Tricare Reserve Select and in my book it says it pays on pretty much everything wls wise.  Revisions skin removal but I have heard others say that Tricare is horrible when it comes to paying on WLS.  Of course when I had my surgery I was self pay cause hubby was not in the Nat'l Guard then.  He is not active duty so that is why we have the Reserve Select.  I am anxious to get some more weight off and then have the skin removal and hope I dont have problems with them.  Again welcome here and best of luck!
Denise

I have Tricare Prime, we utilize the Air Force Base physicians, but get referrals out to see who we want to see when we need to.  When my initial referral was done to Dr. Clements, it was written up as General Surgery - Morbid Obesity with multiple co-morbidities....I was approved up-front.  I talked to Tricare about two weeks ago to see if a follow up psyche appointment was approved and they told me yes and that I had been approved for surgery.  So, I am thinking I was approved out the gate.  My Primary Care Physician (who just quit his job at the base) told me that getting contouring done will be a snap, but it has to be documented (i.e. infections of the skin, rashes, etc.)