Hi I'm new here

Hi I'm Tanya and just recently found this board. I've read a few success stories and I'm beyond impressed. Just thought I would give a little intro about myself. I'm 31 married to Rich and we have 2 children. Calvin 4 and Laura 11. I'm a SAHM for the most part and my husband is in the Air Force. I've just recently inquired about having the surgery and have an referral to see Katherine Morgan at MUSC. I've spoke with the office and they are sending me out a large packet of papers to fill out then I will have my first appointment. I'm so excited yet nervous because I'm afraid Tri Care won't approve me. I'm 5' 7" and 245 lbs. 2 years ago I went to my PCP about weight loss and he sent me to the Health and Wellness Center on base as well as hooking me up with a personal trainer. I stuck with it for about a month and didn't lose any weight so I gave up. When I went back to see my PCP this time he said it was documented that I attempted other options other than surgery but didn't succeed so he said I should have no problem being approved. *Fingers crossed I get it* Anyone else here with Tri care insurance? How long did it take to get approved and whats the waiting time for the surgery AFTER you are approved? Looking forward to chatting with everyone.

Hi tanya, my name is crystal I havent posted in a long time but I was wanting to get back into the swing of things and follow all of the rules after surgery. I had my surgery in feb 2006, ive lost alittle over 80 lbs. I am 5'5 and day of surgery I weighed 249.9. Thanks to God ive had no complications except alittle hair loss, low iron and my hair looks fried sometime, but I think it is because I dont condition it like I should. I had musc options health insurance and they were great, sorry I cant tell you anything about tricare. I would have the surgery over again I dont exercise like I sure and I had gotten into bad eating habits which I am trying to change if I would have followed everything by the book I probarley would have lost over 100 lbs by now. Good luck on everything!

WELCOME MS TANYA!!!!!! SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU JOIN US! MY HUBBY IS RETIRED NAVY & MY DAD IS RETIRED AF. MS BECKY (here on the board) LIVES ON BASE THERE & SHE IS A GREAT SUCCESS; YOU TWO OUGHT TO GET TOGETHER! ALSO, IF YOU ARE FREE, PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR WEEKLY LOW COUNTRY BYPASS BUDDIES MEETING (LCBB) TOMORROW (THURSDAY) EVENING FROM 6:00pm till WHENEVER (usually about 8:30 but you can stay/leave whenever) AT JC's BAR & GRILL ON ASHLEY PHOSPHATE. THEY HAVE A MENU JUST FOR US. WE HAVE A GREAT BUNCH OF LADIES & GENTS. WE'RE GONNA START MEETING AT DIFFERENT PLACES EACH WEEK ... MEMBERS' HOMES, RESTUARANTS (I think) & WE HAVE SPECIAL EVENTS LIKE WE'VE HAD A BABY SHOWER & A CHRISTMAS BASH. WE MAY ALSO MEET SOME SATURDAY MORNINGS, BUT FOR NOW ... IT'S TOMORROW EVENING AT JC's. YOU HAVE TO HAVE TRI CARE PRIME (not Standard) TO GET APPROVED. YOU MUST HAVE AN "EVAL & TREAT" REFERRAL (not just an "Eval" Referral) TO GET THE ACTUAL SURGERY, & ONCE DOC'S OFFICE SUBMITS YOUR FORMS, IT USUALLY TAKES NO MORE THAN 2 WEEKS TO GET APPROVED. TRI CARE PRIME ROCKS WHEN IT COMES TO GASTRIC BYPASS! AFTER THAT, IT'S UP TO THE SCHEDULING OF MUSC ... WHICH IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST PLACE TO HAVE THIS SURGERY! I HAD DR BYRNE BUT HAD DR MORGAN FOR MY INITIAL APPOINTMENT & SHE IS A DOLL. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE PROCESS & OTHER INFO, CHECK OUT MY PROFILE. I PUT A TON OF INFO IN IT & IT CAN REALLY KICK START YOU ON YOUR WAY. I NEED TO UPDATE MY 2006 INFO FROM ABOUT MAY ON BUT THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR YOU TO FIND INFO THAT COULD HELP YOU THROUGH THIS JOURNEY!!! GOD BLESS YOU ... DAWN & NICK

Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to meeting you lovely ladies tomorrow night. I will be coming with Becky. I do have Tri Care prime. I'm really looking forward to a NEW me. :-D

TOOO COOOOL, MS TANYA! CYA TOMORROW!

Hi Tanya and Welcome Make to the LCBB meeting, they are great bunch of people. I am not sure about your insurance question but alot of the LCBB have Tricare and were approved. Please feel free to ask questions and vent if needed. We are here for each other. Good Luck on your journey and we are saving you a seat on the loser's bench. Julie

Welcome to the board Tanya, I hope everything goes well with getting approved in a very speedy manner. My surgery is tomorrow with Dr.Byrne but I also had Dr. Morgan at my initial visit. She was going out to have a baby so I got switched to Dr.B. Stay strong and encouraged. You have the best support system possible here. Talk to you soon. Wish me luck. Robin

Thank you Robin. Good luck tomorrow and I can't wait to "meet" you. I will be praying for you a speedy weight loss and recovery.

Hi, Tanya! Welcome aboard! I'm fairly new myself, but have gotten thru the initial step as of yesterday - going to the evaluation at MUSC. So the next hurdle is my insurance (CIGNA). Sounds like Miss D has you all hooked up for Tricare - she is totally awesome!!! Best of luck with everything & keep in touch - this is a great place for friends and support...