Tricare help!

I am new to all this. So I'll give a bit of an intro. I am a 27 yr old mother of 3. We are stationed in Germany. I'm 5'11" and 265lbs. I really dont quailfy for the surgery. Because my BMI is only 37. But because I have some medical problems, I might get the approval. we've been here for 3 1/2 yrs now. I had my 1st consult on June 11th. I am still waiting for the yay or nay from tricare. Its been 13 days (not including weekends, so in total, 17 days.) since I had my visit. I am starting to think that I will not be approved, since its been taking awhile. After all, I have read from most people on here that tricare had taken about 24 hrs to approve them. Have there been anyone on here that tricare has taken longer to approve them? I am getting pretty antsy waiting for the word from them. Any help would really put my mind to ease. PLEASE, let me know your personal experencies. Thank you in advance -Mary

Tri-Care doesn't really look at BMI there criteria is 100 lbs overweight with co-morbidity or 200% of your recommended weight. So I will wish you good luck!!! I just got approved today, I thought I would go nuts before I got approved. GOOD LUCK Leann

Thank you so much for your responce. How long did it take for you to get your approval?? I am begining to lose hope with this whole process. Which has not been too bad thus far. Should have known better that this has been going too easy. I am so hoping that I will hear from tricare very soon. Again, thanks for responding to me. -Mary

It only took a little over 24 hours for approval. You need to contact tricare to be sure that your doctor has submitted your paperwork. I didn't think it was going to be easy either I had to jump through a lot of hoops before I could even see the Surgeon. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. Leann

What are your comorbidities? What health problems you are having is a big factor. Acording to the chart my Dr. gave me, your ideal weight is 152 lb. I had a consultation with my Tricare nurse for my Asthma today and she is really excited about me getting surgery. My blood pressure is 180/95 today. She wants me to take it daily and log it for my application. She says it will help my asthma also. She is pulling for me. My BMI is 41, but I am well over the 100 lbs over weight. I also have severe osteo arthris and my Trigycerides have shot up above normal. Diabetis is a big factor. I don't have that yet. As you can see I am just starting the process also. I 'm wishing you the best of luck. Diana

I have knee problems. I actually just had knee surgery the end of Mar. The doc that performed the surgery, told me that my cartilige(sp) is sherdding away. So I will have even more problems with my knee in the near future. Also, when I was pregnent with my daughter. I developed gestational diabetes. So that right there puts me at a higher risk of getting it later in life. Theres also a family history of being over weight. Im hoping that these risks right there qualify me for the WLS. According to tricare and the doc I saw about the surgery. My BMI is 37 and I am not 100 lbs over weight. From what they told me. With my height, my ideal weight is 152 to 179 I did call the tricare office up today. I was told that they(tricare) still needs to translate what the doctor sent them. I was told that I should hear from them no later then next week. I am so keeping my fingers crossed that I get that call saying I got the approval.. -Mary

I hope it goes through. If not fight for it. You will only have more problems as you get older. I am pulling for you. Diana

Aww Shucks!! Thank you so much. It really means alot to have as much support as I can. -Mary

Good luck and let us know how it all turns out for you. I will keep my fingers crossed!!!!