TRICARE STANDARD and initial consult

I have TRI_CARE standard and didn't know how FAST this process is!! I do not need a PCM. I just needed to find a surgeon that was in the TriCARe network. and it just so happend that the surgeon in the NETWORk here in Arizona is the BEST LaP-BAND surgeon in the state,. He is the only dr. witht the credentials to be a proctor (teach other surgeons).
So I went in...got weighted..met with the Dr. , and then the patient coordinator..and voila..waiting for approval from Tricare (which will come in less than a week), then schedule for surgery maybe even by the end of this month!!! And really that's it. This week is going to be excrutiatingly slow waiting for approval! But other than that I am VERy excited! I have waited 10 years and 4 kids later for this chance!

OMG!!!!!  That is super fast, with Standard you don't have to do any pre op stuff at all!?!!??  And your DR. doesn't require anything either?  My whole process took 3 months, which was fast, and the only reason it took that long was becasue here we are required to attend 3 monthly support group meetings before surgery.  It really felt like a whirl wind.  I was totally prepared for the surgery but after ward I did not feel prepared at all for the recovery and post op.  Keep us posted I am so excited for you!!!!

Donna

Hi donna1 no...dr. doesn"t require anything from me. I'm in relatively good health considering the weight...so I didn't have to get any ultrasounds or tests...no liquid diet... HOWEVER..here is the minor SNAFU. my husband is in the ARMY NATIONAL GUARD...he is deployed to the Arizona border which puts him in active duty status. Well all the troops on the border mission have to attend their ANNUAL TRAINING..so here is where the confusion lies...stick with me here...they CUT his actice duty orders on the JUNE 2nd...they RE-CUT him NEW orders while he is at Annual training. his new orders are effective until the 18th when he returns. on the 19th they cut him NEW orders for the border mission which will make him in active duty status for a year...BUT while he is at Annual training...TRICARE does not cover us dependants!!! Coverage stopped on the 2nd..and will resume on the 19th!!! so my approval and surgery is set back 3 weeks! I could have gotten my surgery by the end of the month, but it looks like i will have to wait until the beginning-mid next month. I know it's just a small amount of time but I was getting mentally prepared But I should take the extra time to work on my cardio for the upcoming surgery and educate myself more on the nutrition aspect.  But had there not been a SNAFU with coverage..the process would have been 3 weeks from start to surgery.

Donna...BTW ..89lbs lost since January?!?!?! WOW! that is amazing and I;m sure it's been quite a struggle. congrats...and hopefully I'll be on this journey with you soon.

I'm on standard also!  Mine went SO fast!  I just started the process in the end of april beginning of may and my surgery is scheduled for the 21st!!! All i had to do was meet with the psychologist and dietician to get approvals meet with my surgeon who submitted my request within the week it was approved went back to the surgeon for mainly my prescription for lovenox and the dietician so I would know what to expect post surgery and I'm ready!  My husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan and we have an 8 month old.  I'm dreading the 2 weeks that I can't pick my baby boy up post surgery BUT it is worth it.  I am doing this for my family.  Having a baby really killed my body!!!

...we might be getting our surgery at the same time...fingers crossed..just waiting for surgeon.  didn't have any clases or psch eval prerequisits at my Dr....don't woory I'm sure u'll be fine post op..I had an emergency C-section with my first son (at Naval Hosp in Guam..eeeek!!!) 15 years ago..and even then I was up and about after 3 days. Myy doctor said this would be a "walk in the park" compared to that. lets keep each other updated..looks like we'll be going through this at the same time  My husband is deployed to the arizona/mexico border. He gets to come home about once a week..thank the Lord...BUT...it's a transition EVERYTIME he comes home. and he only gets to be home for 24 hours. It's harder for him to acclimate than us...but I guess that's what happens when ur in a bullet proof vest 24 hours a day...the mind set is still on the field. When does ur husband come home? HE IS GONNA FLIP WHEN HE sees u!!! and did u know that u can get a tummy tuck and breast implants at SOME military bases? there is a waiting list so i am going to put myself on that list now. Just Call TRICARE and see what Hosp military hosp near you does this. God bless and prayers to you and ur family!

 Mahana