Anyone here military affiliated? Need some info plz!

Hi I am an Army wife stationed out of Fort Hood.  Is there anyone on here that can help me get onto the right track as far as talking to my doctor and jumping through all the hoops to get approved for the surgery?

There are quite a few military affiilations on here and I am sure they will jump in to help you.  timsdanni is one I can think of off top of my head, and Michelle S.  rcagle also.  They will probably be out later today.  Good luck!

Kat

I retired 18 years ago, so I really can't help you.  Any one of the three previously mentioned might be able to help you.  Good luck.

basically your pmc must give you a referal - either to surgery on base (ft bliss does them on base) or off base to a wls doc - they will have a list of things to get done - no supervised diet which is a plus to me, phyc eval also a plus for long term sucsess

if you are thinking of a band vs bypass think on this - we have moved 3 times in the almost 4 yrs since my bypass - I have not seen a wls doc since we left Bliss 3 yrs ago - I have been the one to figure out what labs I needed and to beg my pcm for a referal for a possible sticture

with a band you require fills on a pretty reg basis and that REQURES A DOC THAT EITHER DOES BANDS OR IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THEM you may or may not find one where you PCS to next

wls is a major life altering thing - I love my bypass and woudl do it agian in a sec  - life long labs and supliments included

stick around here and ask questions - EDUCATE yourself b/c your docs will only do so much YOU must know your body and how it will change post op and what you will need to do for long term health

peace
Danni

Hey there,

Sorry I just noticed this message now.  Like Danni said you need to go through your PCM to get a referral.  Tri-Care requires that you be 100lbs over weight or have a medical reason.  They are really good about approving.  I knew within a week.  If you are given an option as to who you want to see I would suggest Dr. Warnock in Whicita Falls.  He is a wonderful doc and his staff knows exactly what to do to get you approved.  I am 2 1/2 years out, and had my Tummy Tuck (wich Tr-care approved) a little over 1 1/2 years ago.  I am no longer in Texas but if I can help in anyway please let me know.  Good luck.  Michelle

I'm at Hood.  I have a primary care Dr. off post.  I just made an appointment to discuss bariatric surgery with him.  I was SO nervous about it.  I went in, we discussed what was going on, and he put in a referral for Scott and White.  Once the referral went in, it was approved for a consultation.  I basically had to attend a big meeting held in Killeen to learn more.  After that they required the whole psych consult, then it went back to Tricare.  Once it was approved again, I met with the nurses and had a more in depth exam.  That went back to Tricare again, got approved and got my date.  I started the whole process in July, and just got banded a few days ago, but I was approved in Sept.  I just wanted to wait for dh to come home. 

I know they still do some meetings at Darnall, but a friend is going through the process right now and she was told by Darnall that they are going to stop doing bariatric surgeries on dependants starting in Jan.  So she is having to get an offpost referral. 

Like I said, I'm here if you have any Hood specific questions.  Just let me know!!!

I'm nervous about talking to my doctor about it because she's always questioning me when I see her about anything.  When I went to her to schedule a sleep study to find out if I have sleep apnea she kept asking me why I wanted to go through with that and why did I think I had it.  I had also talked to her about getting a breast reduction and that never went anywhere.  She's not really a doctor either, she's a nurse practitioner..  Maybe it's just me but she's about as cuddly as a porcupine.  *sigh*  Guess I'd better grow some cojones!!

Is there anyway I can talk to someone OTHER than my PCP??  Starting to think I need to trade mine in for a more understanding model!  Hahaha

the referral has to go through the PCP. 

You can look into changing PCPs.  I see a guy in Killeen who has a policy to see you within 72 hours for anything.  So far he's held true.  He's not the most personable either, he's always in a rush.  I spend more time with his nurses than him, but the nurses ask all the right questions, and by the time he comes in, he knows exactly what's going on.  So while I see him for very little time, he's good about results.  When I made the appointment I told the nurse why I was there.  She took my past history.  Asked all the questions, and then he came in and said, "Okay.  I'll put in your referral.  You'll wind up at Scott and White, but let me know if you have any problems" and that was it. 

One thing to think about is most military doctors (at least on Darnall) will require you to have been on a "monitored" diet for 6 months.  Yours may pull that.  My doctor said my year with Weigh****chers was fine for him. 

I would just make the appointment and come prepared for any arguement.  Tell her any health problems your having because of the weight.  Any and all previous attempts to lose weight.  Let her know you know it's not a "cure all".  Try to have answers to all the arguments ahead of time. 


good luck, she sounds fun.

Well I have made the initial appointment with my PCP..  If she gives me any grief about wanting this I'm going to DEERS and changing my doctor.  We're both adults and don't need to be playing these games!