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Re: Keesler AFB
I am trying to decide if Keesler is the best way to go. I am very scared of using the doctors at KAFB for fear they are not properly trained to do this surgery. I have to have my lap band removed and then the gastric sleeve surgery. Should I go through civilian doctors and just pay the extra money? The civilian doctor I talked to wants to do it in two phases and that scares me because I have trouble with Anesthesia. I would like your opinion.
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Re: Keesler AFB
For me personally I liked going to a civilian doctor. Although there is nothing wrong with KAFB. Dr. Priestas is a good doctor but I don't know how many bariatric surgeries she has done. As far as doing the removal of the band and getting the sleeve, I can't advise on that. I assumed it was done in one surgery. If you can, I would go to a seminar and talk with a couple of doctors. Also Google lapbandto sleeve surgeries.
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Re: Keesler AFB
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Re: Keesler AFB
Hi everyone,
I am new to this support group. I am not near your base but my hubby retired from the Navy. We have Tricare Prime. I have an appointment for a consult on Sept. 12th with the only barbaric surgeon in our area. I have no idea what to expect. I am nervous and anxious about all of it. But on the other hand I really need and want it done. Can you tell me why you had to spend 600 in copays? What tests did you have to have? Was it hard to get approval from Tri Care?
Thank you all very much for your help.
Tina
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Re: Keesler AFB
As long as you have 2 co morbidities you will be covered. I had type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and I had a surgery for blocked carotid that fell under heart disease. The co pays were because I decided to have surgery in a civilian hospital instead of an MTF. I had started with the MTF in November of 2015 when tricare didn't cover bariatric surgery. Tricare started covering it in January of 2016 so I switched to a hospital and Doctor closer to me. Keesler was over an hour away plus I have a nephew I raise who is in school so it was hard to make appointments early enough to be home by the time he got off the bus. While I was with keesler I had my consultant with the surgeon who put me on a 1200 calorie diet to lose some weight and get my a1c under control. Also had my psych evaluation done during that time and had both nutrition classes as well. Once I changed over to a civilian doctor I had to do a stress test and get my blood pressure under control before I could get the surgery. If you go through and MTF you pay nothing as you know. But if you go through a civilian doctor you will have certain copays that will be required. It was just easier for me to have my doctor and hospital closer to me, about 5-15 minutes away, in case of emergencies. As far as getting approval it was fairly quick. Once everything was in order the approval was done in less than 24 hours. Your doctor, should you go the civilian route, will reach out to tricare to make sure your covered and let you know what copays are expected. If you aren't going through a civilian doctor but to an MTF all you need is a referral from your primary care doctor to see a surgeon. Tricare won't be involved at that point. Like it was explained to me, if you are a mechanic working on your own car do you bill yourself? Lol. The military covers its own.
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Re: Keesler AFB
Thank you for the information. I do have several co morbidities including asthma, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, AFIB, BMI 50 or higher, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have already had one joint replacement and need 2 more. It is very hard for me to exercise at all. We don't have a MTF any where near us that will see dependents. My primary doctor (civilian) has given me the authorization to see the surgeon. The closest bariatric surgeon is about an hour away.
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Re: Keesler AFB
You should have no problem getting approval. Hope everything goes well for you. Keep me posted on your progress and feel free to ask any questions here on the forum. It really helped me when I was getting ready for surgery and even more now after surgery.
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Re: Keesler AFB
Im 6 days post op and feeling extremely weak no energy and hungry. Im still on the liquid diet i dont know what to do about my energy.... my weight the day of surgery was 226 and today 6 days later im 211.6
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Re: Keesler AFB
That's all normal. Remember you just had major surgery so your gonna be weak for awhile. My energy didn't really pick up for about 3 weeks. You've really done well on your loss congratulations to you!! Remember to walk to help move any gas plus to keep your circulation up. Sip all your liquids slowly and shoot for 64 oz daily. Take it one day at a time things will get better I promise.
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Re: Keesler AFB
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Re: Keesler AFB
I have an appointment with a Surgeon by the name of Lauren Bush. Has anyone heard of Dr. Lauren Bush?
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Re: Keesler AFB
Just an update, we went to a seminar with one surgeon. He is an hour away and suggested the sleeve procedure. He has been doing them for 3 years. He said it is a 6 month process to have the surgery and on month 4 he will do an EGD. On October 4th we are going to a seminar with another surgeon at a bigger and better hospital. Then I will make a choice. This past week has been really hard health wise and I am not eating all that great and healthy. I am working on getting back on track.
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Re: Keesler AFB
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Re: Keesler AFB
Hi all
Just came across this post. I am glad to read that Tricare now covers gastric sleeve. I had my surgery in 2013 I was self pay. Hubby retired Navy so we have Tricare prime and it wasn't covered back than. It was a big decision to pay but I was desperate.
I am getting back on the wagon because some weight has come back. Hope all is doing well and successful.
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Re: Keesler AFB
I really enjoyed mine when I lived in NY!