I got a confusing and from the looks of it; form letter from Tri-Care stating that I would be put on a waiting list for plastic surgery................but any implants or botox would be out of pocket. When I saw my PCP and requested a referral for plastics not once did I mention implants or botox, tho both would be nice. LOL To top it off, I wasn't even seen by a plastic surgeon or anyone at the MTF. My records were reviewed by a committee and from what I could figure out over the phone via numerous calls to the patient reps I was I was pre-approved. Without even seeing any doctor other then my PCP. That part just shocks me. They didn't even see pics. How can they approve me without seeing me first? Never once in my almost 8 years as a military spouse have I gotten approval for something like that without seeing the actual doctor first. My PCP barely even glanced at my loose skin. I know she's not aware of how much skin there actually is. Then I was told two different things by two different patient advocates. First one said I would HAVE to have surgery at Trippler. The other said Trippler was too busy taking care of injured soldiers and all plastics was being sent out to civilian docs. Trippler won't accept phone calls in their PS department. The letter states don't call us, we'll call you. Needless to say I'm confused and it's taken me almost a year to get this far and I don't feel like I know anymore then I did day one when I first mentioned wanting to get surgery done for the loose skin. Does anyone know what's really going on? Because I can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone I talk to. I desperately need some major plastic surgery. I've gone from almost 500 pounds to 230. My loose skin has it's own loose skin. Doesn't help that I'm no longer at the post where I had my surgery. There I was already on the waiting list for a TT and that was almost 2 years ago! The doctors here don't seem to know what to do with me as a WLS post-op patient and almost treat me like an oddity. ~Tanja

Hi Amy! They do use the Metropolitan Life tables for ideal body weight. Here is a site with the Metropolitan Life tables. http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/met.htm They go by the medium build unless your surgeon says otherwise. They also start the 200% at the lowest number of the build. So for you at 5'3 you need to be over 242 lbs (of course 141 x 2). So yes, you'd qualify!! I'm 5'8 and needed to be over 272 lbs, I was just 6 lbs over at my consult. This really concerned me and I searched and searched and called Tricare a few times, cause I didn't want to not qualify because I was so close to the limit. But when paperwork was submitted, I was approved within 48hrs. Good luck with your journey!! Andi

Thanks for the poem. And welcome to the board. We are retired (40 years) Army and I guess you can say tired too. I think I am the old one on the board. Maybe I can just say the experienced one. There are good people here with good support. Diana

Look for the metropolitan life weight tables and see what your ideal weight is. Double the the uper limit of your ideal weight should be 200% over ideal body weight. I'm pretty sure you are 200% if you have small frame. So, don't worry so much you'll be approved with no problem! Take care

I agree totally with what everyone has said. I know that people sometimes say things they don't mean and you often unintentionally end up hurting the people you love; but it is never should be done on purpose. You have to do what is right for you and your kids. Your husband should respect you for that. If you don't care about you and make yourself happy it's just going to be a half life; and no one deserves that. You go for what is going to make you happy inside and out. Much love and prayers going your way.