Help in Cincinnati

Hi. I have tricare through my husband (currently deployed army) and I have read that they cover some surgery.  I really wanted Lap Band but it appears that they do not cover that so after coming to grips with doing gastric bypass (and this took a few months...but I'm ok now), I need some advice on what to do next. I have yet to see my PCM with tricare, we are newer to the insurance so all my doctors have had to change.  I know with some things I need a referral to another doctor but I don't know.  What if my PCM doesn't want me to do the surgery, can she refuse the referral?? any advice would be very much appreciated.

all I can say is, if you really want the surgery, then get a new doc if she says no. but I also say to take things one step at a time. Don't worry about her saying no when you haven't asked yet. Often times, we the expected answer causes us more grief than the actual answer. (lol - I'm either very deep or full of it, you decide).

Sharn, I hope you are doing fine.  I gyuess you know im married again and have left my old life and moved to to a new city.  I am starting all over again. It is so different then what I  am use to. Im very happy/ I am maintaining my weight. I am 139 and eating lots of carbs to maintain this weight.  But the carbs make me feel bad for 1 hr after that.  I am still excercising very hard. I hope you have a wonderful christmas. Still wonder whats up with this rest of us.  Hugs  Ann

Barb!!!!!!!! I'm glad you are doing well. No, I didn't know about the marriage and you moving. Does he have a brother? We neeed to get the ole gang together and see how everyone is doing.

Mandy,  You have A LOT of GOOD WLS docs in the Cincinnati area. I would start by looking at http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/OH/a,doclisting/type,46/ it list a lot of the Ohio dos that have registered with OH This list http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/nonsponsoring+baria tric+surgeons.html?State=OH are the docs in Ohio that have NOT registered with OH.  Then compair the list with who your insurance covers and start your research on docs.  Go to you new PCP and ask them who they recommend and compair that list and research come more. I researched 5 docs 2 got cut right away, Then I went to 2 info sessions and made my final choice.  As far as the band have you called your insurance to make sure they do not cover the band??? It could be your book is older or things might change in 2008. Find out which TYPE of WLS they do cover then RESEARCH ALLL OF THEM. There is RNY, BD/DS, Sleeve, Band and I', sure others.  Go to all the different boards and chat with those people see what life is like after each.  The biggest thing is to RESEARCH, RESEARCH then RESEARCH some more and be VERY sure of which WLS is RIGHT FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!  Fight your insurance company if you really want banding and they don't cover it.  Remember the old saying "it there is a will there is a way". Good Luck,  Robin

Question:  does your insurance cover the vertical gastric sleeve?  You may want to check into that.  It is another good option, and you avoid the malabsorption issues that come with gastric bypass.  I just learned about this type of surgery.  From what I hear, you lose at the same rate as the bypass.

Thanks for your help. My PCM was happy with my decision and referred me Dr. Trace Curry.  I attended his seminar the other day and am very happy with my choice. I have an appt in a couple weeks to get things rolling. I am so excited!!!