Nervous about referral appt.

HI. My husband is in the Navy and we are currently living in Naples, Italy. I have Tricare insurance and have been told that they pay for WLS 100%. I am going  in to get a referral on Wednesday and am very nervous that they will say I don't qualify. I am 6'2 and 300lbs. (BMI 38.5) Last year I had heart trouble, which they later found out was sncope. Basically, passing out because the blood pools in my legs which can be from obesity.  Lately, I am suffering from migraines (never had those before) and acid reflux/heartburn. I also have tremdous knee and back pain. Do you think all of these will be enough to get the surgery. I have been battling my weight for 20 years and have tried every diet known to man. I am desperate because I don't want to keep living  like this and I don't want to battle this for the rest of my life. Please tell me what you told your docs.  Thanks. All of you who have this surgery are so lucky and I commend your decision!

Hello, I have not had surgery yet and am not even sure that I will end up getting it, but I have at least had my referral appointment. I am 5'1" and just about 200 lbs, and I have Type 2 diabetes. The diabetes is the only reason I am qualified (so far) for WLS. Right now I am going through an insurance- required 6-month weight-loss diet, but I am getting a lot of conflicting information from that doctor and the surgeon's office. Anyway, I think you will be approved, no problem. Don't be nervous, you have lots of people here who understand what you're going through. Good luck and keep posting.

Not to risk hijacking this thread, but I will go ahead and give an answer. The conflicting info was that the BMI that would either qualify or disqualify me regarding surgery was the number before the diet and after the diet. The doctor supervising the diet said the number that really counts is the BMI at the beginning of the diet. the surgeon's office says, no, it's the BMI after the diet. Also, I am waiting to hear from Blue Shield Sante about whether or not I have to lose 10% of my body weight during the pre-op diet, and whether or not I have to diet for the full six months. The doctor says it might take a lot less time than that to lose the 10%. But, if I lose the required 10%, it will knock me down to a 34% BMI. I guess that's the insurance company's goal in the first place. Lose just enough to disqualify the patients. I also want to know if I HAVE to buy this horrible (and expensive) powdered meal replacement I am on, or if there is an alternative. It's terrible stuff!

Ok, two things.  Tricare is normally ok.  The criteria is usually 35 with a co-morbidity, as you have, or 40 with none.  I think you'll be fine.

I had a friend in the Navy in Naples.  Jordan and Chris Allman.  Do you know them?

As for shakes.  Yuck.  I do not like most.  My surgeon was big on the opti fast before surgery which he says he does to have you lose weight for safety but I think they do just for the cash.   I did about a month on it and then followed an atkins type diet. 

Try isopure. It's zero carbs, all protein and not bad.  They sell it I believe in the OH store, and any GNC or vitamin shop.

Gary