Tricare Prime (North)

Hey Everyone,
  I'm new here and have a few questions...
On January 25th I visited with my Dr. to get a referral for RNY. She agreed that surgery would be a good option for me. So she has sent the request to Tricare Prime (North) to approve the referral with a Bariatric Surgeon. So here are just a few questions I have.
 
1. Has anyone else here gone through Tricare Prime (North) ?
2. How long did it take to get in to see the surgeon?
3. How many of you had to go on a preop diet, and how long was the preop diet?
4. How long did it take for you to get your surgery from first consultation with surgeon to surgery date?
5. How long was your stay in the hospital?
6. How did you feel after surgery?
7. Does anyone have any regrets about the surgery?
8. Who was your surgeon?
9. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you had surgery, what would it be/ Any words of wisdom?
10. When do you think I should contact Tricare to see how my referral is going?
11. Will they choose the surgeon for me?

Thank You! Courtney!!

 Hi Courtney,
I am Tricare ( west) . I had RNY in October. 
I was approved to see my surgeon within a week of my request.
I was not required to be on a pre surgery diet but that is sometimes determined by your surgeon.
I was required to see a nutritionist and a psychologist. I was required to be cleared by a cardiologist ( pre-existing condition) 
I went to my first seminar at at the end of February 2010 my initial surgery date was in May.. Then July haha then October (other health issues kept pushing me back lol)

My initial stay for the RNY was three days. I developed an infection in the infamous left side port entry ( read the boards and you will find that this particular place is a real bear) and was readmitted for another three days. 

With the exception of the infected wound site it took me about ten days to feel "pretty good" 
I had a couple of issues that developed after my surgery... They were not what I expected. By thanksgiving I had 4 ulcers ... So my beginning was not fun.

I can tell you that I have no regrets. I feel great now. And I would do it again!

 Sorry.. It wouldn't let me keep typing. I chose my surgeon, he accepted tricare. It was done a a very well known hospital here in southern california .
Things I wish I had known...
1. Start taking vitamins NOW. It needs to become a daily habit.
2. Find a protein drink that you really enjoy now. Even though your tastes may change ( mine did not) that is the thing I struggle with the most.
3. Start making protein the most important part of your daily intake. TODAY.. I know it sounds " preachy" but in your future it will become the most important thing in your life. 
4. Start drinking water.. Or crystal light or any other sugar free food/ beverage. This was a major issue for me, as I never drank sweetened beverages. I am not a sugar lover so the ohhhh so sweet favors drive me crazy lol.
5. NSAIDS are the devil.. You will never be able to have MOTRIN, ADVIL, IBUPROPHIN again. If those medications are a part of your life ask your doc if there are alternatives that you can use.
And lastly. If you are not happy with your life... This surgery isn't going to make you happy. It will help you lose weight, but you have to do the rest of the work :) I wish you all of the best luck possible. PM me if you want to ask anything.. There are so many questions to ask, don't hesitate. Ohhhh and bariatric foodie ( google her) and the world according to eggface.. Great sites! Good luck!!!!!