Tricare Standard req. for GBS- Virginia Beach area

And OH........ another vote for Dr. Clark. He's AWESOME! You'll love him! And his staff is wonderful, too. Jill 263/175/145

Switching to Standard was great for me! I couldn't wait the two years since it was past my hubbys "release" date. Tricare only required a couple of blood tests fro me (I'm guessing that was because I have hypothyroidism and they wanted to make sure my levels were regulated). So far they've paid for just about everything. I think my total out of pocket cost have been less than $500, and most of that was my program fee. I went thru Norfolk Surgical and it took about 5-6 months to go thru their program and have surgery but I've seen people do it much faster. I didn't have to do a supervised diet. I had to go to an information meeting then meet with the surgeon. Then I had to attend a couple of classes, a support group meeting, have some bloodwork done, see a psychiatrist, see a sleep specialist and then meet with the doc again. It wasn't bad just a bit repetative on the classes. Best of luck and email me if there's anything else you'd like to knoe Liz 261/135/176 highest/goal/current RNY 12-27-05

Thanks so much Liz for responding! I like the fact that the out of pocket expenses are inline with what I can afford. Just this month Im helping out a coworker of my husband with her two children and I will be able to make about $800 in the next few weeks. Looks like I could possibly pay for it myself! That would be pretty neat as a stay at home mom!

HI there! I am tricare standard as well. Jill and the others listed everything that I would. I was surprised that Tricare was so accepting of WLS. I had to wait 2 months to get my kid in for an allergist, but this took no time. I am going through Norfolk Surgical Group with Dr. Fontana who was at Portsmouth and started the Weight Loss Surgery over there. I saw the seminar in March, had all of my pre op stuff done in April, did okay on Psych eval, except that I have to prove that I can cut out caffiene, and make time to eat 5-6 small eatting episodes a day. After that I can get my date. So I am waiting , caffeine free. Hmmmmmmm. Good luck to you and with Dr.Clark, by friend went through him as well and praises the man. Nice to meet you! Cindy

Hi Cindy! I told hubby that there was a closer clinic- Dr. Fontana's-- but he was so impressed with the recommendations here that he told me to stick with Dr. Clark. Wonder if he would change his mind if I got a seminar from them before the one I have scheduled for June 13. LOL. Actually, I am helping a lady out with her kids until June 9 and then my time is practically my own again. I am surprised that people have had such little problems getting approval. Im hopeful but still too worried to get really excited, ya know? Nice to meet you too!