Does anyone have Tri-Care?

Hello, my name is Ellen and I am in the begining stages of BS.  I was told by my hospital that I am 100lbs over weight, but I have a BMI of 39.5.  I have no medical problems also. I have called Tri-care and they just sent me to a web site that showed restrictions.  It stated that I needed to be 100 lbs over weight and had a medical problem.  Can anyone tell me if they were in my situation and how it worked out.  They are sending me for a sleep study in hopes I fail so I can have something wrong.  Also, I have had gestational diabetes.   Thanks if anyone can help:)

Ellen,     I was never told anything regarding BMI. Just the 100lbs and a co-morbality.   No Problems with hypertension at all? History of it? Granted I havent been approved yet either but my blood pressure was elevated and that went in as my comorbality.  I'm supposed to find out if they've approved it this week so ill let you know. v/r Kevin

I do have a history of hypertension during pregnancy and a while after.  I do have family history also, my father died at 38 of a heart attack.  I am going to call my Dr. to write a letter.  I hope that works.   Thanks!! *Ellen

Hi Ellen, I had a VBG paid for by Tricare in 1999 and am now waiting for insurance approval (Tricare Prime this time) for a revison to RNY.  For the first surgery, the criteria I had to meet was 100 pounds over weight plus a *family history* of co-morbidities.  Not a problem!  Now this time, I am again 100 pounds overweight and have hypertension that remains unresolved with three bp meds plus a host of other non-morbid obesity related conditions.  What worries me about getting Tricare's blessing this time is the fact that my staple line is intact and my stoma isn't stretched unduly and my pouch is at about 1 1/2 cups capacity which isn't considered hugely stretched (though it feels like it at meal time!).   What I don't know is whether or not I should be bugging them daily or leaving them alone.  And to complicate matters...the approval letter is only from the surgeon because I haven't had a real pcm since the beginning of the year and have only just a month ago gotten a new pcm (you know the military medical system!) so he hasn't written anything.  My original referral to the surgeon was for investigation of stomach pain related to my previous wls and consideration for gastric bypass.  Don't know if that is strong enough.   Sorry to be so long-winded.  I feel definitely pre-op now and have so many questions and worries. Molly