Strange question...

I have Tricare Prime and one of my requirements for the surgery is to either be 100 pounds overweight and a comorb, or be 200% over body weight. I am JUST at the 200% point but I want to start exercising before I have my surgery to get into the habit. BUT - if I do that before I see my surgeon, I may lose weight thus not be approved! WHAT TO DO? LOL?!

Hi Michelle! Quite the dilema I'm sure... but right now its about getting approval. So if it were me, I wouldn't lose a pound ( I know that sounds horrible, but I sure don't mean it like that...) I read your earlier post about having no co-morbidities so it sounds like you will have to rely on being 200% over body weight, which will get you approved. There is plenty of time after your surgery to get into the swing of exercise, right now, its about getting approved and if this is the way to do it, so be it. In fact, the initial weightloss after surgery will make it easier to exercise too! ~ Just my two cents You'll be in my prayers, XoXo~ Kimanne

Thank you Kimanne! I was thinking the same thing. A friend of mine who had the surgery in April said pretty much the same thing. She said that she was actually about 10 pounds short of being 200% so she went out and ate like a maniac for a few weeks to get over that 200%. She's now down 110 pounds and works out 3-5 days a week for 2 hours at a time.

You know what... I really feel for you... It's such a shame that insurance companies make it so hard for some people But drastic times call for drastic measures... whatever it takes to get approval is what I say! You go girl, we'll be right here to support you though this! XoXo!

Thank you so much. You've been one of my favorite people to read here on the board! I'll likely be having my surgery at UW - I'd love to meet some of you down there when I do!

Awwwww You're so sweet to say that! I'd love that too, just keep me posted of your date and I'll come visit you if you feel up to it! I hear the UW is a wonderful place to have surgery;) I'm gonna go to the mall now and dream about the clothes that I'll someday be able to wear Have a great night! XoXo~ Kim

they go by the weight you are at your surgeon's initial consult. So......once they apply for approval, go ahead and work towards your goal w/exercise, diet etc ..... HTH

I don't know anything about your particular program, but in my experience, it is important to exercise prior to surgery in order to be "in shape" for the surgery itself. We have to "train" for our surgery because it is such a physical hardship and shock on our bodies. Tell you what, in my lengthy experience, when I exercised like mad but ate whatever I wanted (lots), I GAINED weight. Maybe that will happen to you as you prepare. I think it is so awful that insurance companies require these things. It's like they want us to stay unhealthy! I hope that you can be approved AND get the benefits of exercise prior to surgery. -Chris

No, wait, that sounded mean. I don't WANT you to gain weight, that's for sure! But that's what usually happened to me, so maybe you won't mess up your eligibility with exercise. Anyways, you know what I mean.

If you have already seen your surgeon and your 200% weight is documented, then you shouldn't have to worry. If your surgeon's office is summitting to Tricare for approval, be sure to remind them to send in and highlight your weight at first consult. You will be SOOOoooooo glad that you lost some before hand. Nancy