my letter to Tricare (insurance)

I previously posted ("pep talk please") and received some responses helping me. I've written a letter to my insurance. I'm kind of nervous about it and would like some feedback. I haven't been disapproved for surgery but Tricare is requesting I have further psych evaluation because my nutritionist labeled me as an emotional eater and derecommended surgery because of that. So I worte the letter to tell my side of my story! I felel like I'm obsessive and have tunnel vision so I'm asking for any input that would be helpful--two minds are better then one kind of thing! Thanks for your time...very appreciated!

the letter can be found on my profile

Hey Kirsten, I read your letter and I have to say that I think you made your plea very well. It was well stated, well documented and very well written. It's my prayer that your insurance company will take into consideration all that you told them and give you the approval you so desperately need. Keep me informed as to how things go and know that I will keep you in my prayers that you will receive good news soon. Lots of Love Kathy

Thank you so much Kathy! I will keep you informed!

Kirsten, Your letter sounds wonderful. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers until you get the approval you need. I know it is a struggle but my problem was my dr. He kept trying to get me to lose weight on my own and in 6 months of watching everything I ate and counting calories, he finally agreed to do the surgery. I first went to the surgeon in April last year and finally got the surgery December 16th....It was so hard coming home every month without a date. Thank God, I was finally ok'd for the surgery and doing well. Please keep me posted on your progress...you are not the only one trying to get approval...you will make it so please don't get discouraged and give up. We are all here for you... Hugs, betsy

Thanks for you kind words Betsy! This is so wonderful having such good support!

Kirsten, I read your letter and feel that it is very well written, organized and covers all the bases for weight loss surgery. I will pray for you and for the Tricare insurance approvers to see the "light" and get you on your way to becoming healthy again! I'm sure that this will work! Hey, I don't know ONE person, obese or "normal" that ISN'T an emotional eater!! Please let us know what you find out. Hugs, Tammy

Tammy, Thanks all prayers tucked away!!!! As soon as I know something it'll probably be posted on this board within a second!

Kirsten, First, I think we are all emotional eaters. It is being willing to change our ways and be compliant with the new way of eating after surgery that really factors into this. If we recognize this in ourselves and are willing to change than that is what is important. See..this is why people can not be honest at appointments because it sometimes gets used against them. Second, sure our genetics and metabolism play into all of our weight problems..but it is also what we are eating. Emotional eating is such a broad description/term. American's as a whole live to eat instead of eat to live. Yes, I am in that group !!! Look at all of the holidays and events that function around food. I mean..that says it all right there. Some of us are luckier than others with the food issue. Maybe they don't "love " it as much as the rest of us and they get away with not gaining weight or not wanting to eat as much, or good genes or metabolism. I don't think that the nutritionist can make the final decision because she is not the doctor. If she is doing this then there is a problem with the system. She is one professional in the string of many that needs to evaluate. But she is not the psychologist or MD. i sure told my psychologist that I would rather have a box of twinkies that an ounce of cottage cheese but i also let her know that I KNEW what would happen if I did that and I would not choose that route. Are you Tricare Prime or Standard? I left Prime in January and now having an outside in the system provider do my surgery. I am sorry you are going through this. It somehwt discusts me as if you couldn't tell...LOL !! Let me know what happens and STAY on that phone and in touch with your doctor. Email me ! Dana

Dana, Amen to all the above! I have Prime, and so far it's not reaylly Tricare that is the true problem here, it's the nutritionist. I was her first hopeful GB patient and I think she's pro-non surgery. Thank you for your thoughts!