Question:
I NEED ADVICE I HAVE TRICARE PRIME

HELP TODAY I WENT TO SEE THE NUTRITIONIST (WHICH I HAVE BEEN SEING HER FOR 3 WKS)AND I TALKED TO HER ABOUT PUTTING THE CONSULT IN FOR THE SURGERY(BECASUE THE SURGEON SAID THAT I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NUTRITIONIST GIVE ME THE OK)SHE SAID THAT PUTTING THE CONSULT IN COMES AFTER I HAVE SHOWED PROGRESS IN THE PROGRAM SHE SAID THAT I HAVE TO START LOSING WEIGHT AND SHE ALSO SAID THAT THAT SHOWS THAT I CAN FOLLOW A DIET I UNDERSTAND HER VIEW A LITTLE BUT THEN AGAIN I DONT BECAUSE IF I AM ABLE TO LOSE WEIGHT ON MY OWN THEN WHY WOULD I EVEN NEED THE SURGERY I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A DIET YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW AFTER SURGERY BUT YOU ALSO HAVE A SMALLER STOACH TO HOLD THE FOOD NOT TO MENTION YOU BODY IS NOT GOING TO REALLY ALLOW YOU TO DO DIFFERENT BUT EATING THAT SMALL PORTION OF FOOD THAT SHES TALKING ABOUT PLUS EXERCISING I AM HUNGRY THAT JUST IS NOT ENOUGH FOOD FOR ME I HAVE GAINED A TOTAL OF 2 LBS SINCE I STARTED HER CLASS I KNOW THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT I CAN DO TO GET OUT OF THAT CLASS AND GO ON WITH THE SURGERY IF ANYONE HAS ANY ADVICE THEN PLEASE GIVE IT BECAUSE I SURELY NEED IT    — JENNIFER S. (posted on June 25, 2003)

June 25, 2003
you don't have to see a NUTRITIONIST!!! i don't know why they try and get away with this with tricare. you only need to have a bmi of 40 and get the referal from you pcp. if you want to call me you can private email me.
   — franbvan

June 25, 2003
All you need to do is go to your Primary Care Manager for an outside referral for bariatric surgery. I highly recommend that you write down your weight loss/gain history over the last 20 years, family history of obesity and any co-morbities. You should also be upfront with your PCM on your research regarding this procedure and discuss this with you PCM. Later down the road you will need to see the nutritionist for evaluation prior to surgery and that you understand the long-term consequences and the life-style changes of this procedure.
   — Cathi U.

June 26, 2003
my pcm tried the same thing with me. she had me go to the nutrionist for six months. i came to find out that i didnt need to do that. i wasted six months when i could have already had the surgery by now. go to another pcm if not satisfied with the one you have. also you can look up the tricare handbook online and it will tell you what you need to get approved for the surgery. good luck
   — tacy T.