Question:
This question is for any military wife or anyone who had WLS surgery @

at Fort Gordon GA. My problem is that I have gotten the run around so much from Tricare Prime (my husband is Active duty), I asked my Dr. if he would give me referal to a military hospital and he did. My problem is that at the time the civilian Dr. sent my paperwork to Tricare,(I have done all the pre-op tests, psych exam, nutrion classes) they put down that I was a large frame person (which I am not), and they had me at 90lbs overweight, when I appealed the letter I told them I was 5'2 228lbs at a small frame, I'd even take a meduim frame, so they wrote me back and they told me my appeal is still denied but yes I am 100lbs overweight, but where are my comorbities? I told them about my knees and back and ankles, and my blood pressure which is borderline, both sides of my parents are morbidly obese with diabetes,high blood pressure, strokes but that did not help. So I did get the referal to Eisenhower, but there Dr. is going TDY. The general surgeon here where I am stationed is very much supportive so supportive he wants to fly down with me to assit in the operation, so that it is a plus. I was told that there is a Major Dinsmore who is taking the Dr.'s place, I just wanted to meet someone who is stationed at Ft. Gordon who had the surgery, and how was it.    — Tina B. (posted on June 19, 2002)

June 19, 2002
Tina, I am not from Ft Gordon, but I am a military spouse that has had WLS. I was amazed at how easily I was approved with Tricare Prime. I am 5'9" and weighted 269 the day of my surgery. I really didn't have any other health problems, except that I had been started experiencing problems with my feet, had problems with my back for the past 20 years and my blood pressure was boarder line high. Obesity ran in my family, although high blood pressure and/or strokes, etc were not an issue. I was approved in 3 days. I had a military doctor do the procedure at the hospital in town. Unfortunately, he is hoping to PCS in September, which will be our loss because he is one heck of a doctor. It took me about 5 months of being persistent with my primary care provider to convince her that I really needed tohave this procedure done and to refer me to the surgeon. Once I did that, it was a breeze. I saw the surgeon for the first time on April 15th, was approved on April 19th, and had my surgery on May 20th of this year (one month ago today). My best advice is to be persistent! Hope everything works out for you and that WLS will become a reality for you. Lynn--Minot AFB ND
   — Lynn H.

June 20, 2002
Hi Tina, I am pre-op I am a military wife I also have Tricare Prime and had no problem being approved by tricare, Dr.Frizzi and Dr.Shapiro they are the ones that are going to perform my surgery at Eisenhower. I live in Columbia SC, but I travel an hour and fifteen minutes for my appointments. I was scheduled for WLS on May16, but due to other health issues my surgery was postponed for a later date. Dr.Frizzi is gone TDY he should be back on or around the first half of July. The staff at the surgical clinic is wonderful, they are easy to talk to and answer questions,they are all eager to assist you. Good Luck.
   — tanya G.