I don't know where to start.

MarineWife13

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Jun 13, 2017
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I had my RNY in November 2012. Since having the surgery up until this day I have only lost 35 pounds. I know have high blood pressure again, GERD, high cholesterol and need to use my cpap again. I can eat like a person without wls. I have Tricare South insurance and I am not sure if I should be seen on base first. I really would like the RNY to DS revision.

What to do? should I go on base to talk with their bariatric surgeon? I've heard Tricare has nothing to do with my surgeon as long as I'm on base.

Thanks for reading and any advice will help.
 
I'm not really sure regarding the insurance side but I do know that there are only a handful of doctors qualified to do a RNY TO DS REVISION And none of them that I know of are located on a military base. you probably should contact the insurance company to find out their protocols or requirements to get to one of the dr with expertise in the rny to DS revision.
 
There is only a handful of RNY to DS surgeons and none are located on a military base/hospital.

But Tricare is a different beast altogether. You need to know your options and be prepared to self pay.
 
Hi again @MarineWife13 ! As others have said, RNY to DS revision is very complex and done by very few surgeons. Even most DS surgeons don't do this particular revision. It requires taking apart your entire gastric bypass, restoring everything to the original anatomy, and THEN doing a DS. There is much greater risk of complications than with a virgin DS. This is not said to discourage you, just to explain why so few surgeons do it and why it has to be taken so seriously.
I'm wondering if your RNY is as it should be for you to lose so little weight. Most of the people we see having revisions from RNY to DS did lose well originally, but struggled with major weight regain. Your story is different. Has anyone checked to make sure you don't have, for example, a fistula, or other problem that would explain why you never lost weight as expected?
Bottom line, though, if you do decide on RNY to DS revision, I've never heard of any surgeon in the military doing this. There is a list (@southernlady can direct you to it) of surgeons who do this elsewhere on this website. I hope one of these surgeons is available to you.
 
I think it might help to list the surgeons for the OP to call. The Medical Offices might be able to help the OP.

Dr. Rabkin - San Francisco - Matt in his office deals with insurence and might be helpful to you.
Dr K in LA - someone else here can fill you in on the details.

Those are the two I know. I think there are a few others. Will let the community chip in.
 
I think it might help to list the surgeons for the OP to call. The Medical Offices might be able to help the OP.

Dr. Rabkin - San Francisco - Matt in his office deals with insurence and might be helpful to you.
Dr K in LA - someone else here can fill you in on the details.

Those are the two I know. I think there are a few others. Will let the community chip in.

Christina from Dr. K office got married and will be gone till the end of the month. if she calls there now she will just get the nurse Silva who will tell her she doesn't know she has to call back when Christina gets back. Silva isnt even making appointments from what someone who called said. I called about an issue and was told she could not help me call back at the end of the month. LOL
 
I would try Dr Rabkin's office then. Just start. Pick up the phone and call. Matt is a nice guy, he will either point you in the right direction or be able to help. Remember here, execution will create momentum and pieces will fall into place. Start pushing and good things will happen.
 
Christina from Dr. K office got married and will be gone till the end of the month. if she calls there now she will just get the nurse Silva who will tell her she doesn't know she has to call back when Christina gets back. Silva isnt even making appointments from what someone who called said. I called about an issue and was told she could not help me call back at the end of the month. LOL
Oh, my. Sounds like Dr. K needs to do some educating. That is not an answer to a prospective patient. Surely his ego isn't that big that he accepts this thinking he is worth the wait. From this site I know he is, but anyone not familiar with him would surely be put off and seek another doc. One who is not as good, but they'd learn that lesson the hard way with a Frankenstein revision.
 
From the day I walked into Dr K's office for the consultation to my surgery was 5 weeks. He is not the kind of doc that makes you wait.
Unfortunately when you have a small office and the knowledgeable person is out you are pretty much stuck with whomever is left to answer questions.
Considering how long it takes most people to get to the actual surgery a couple of weeks may not make a huge difference.
 
There are surgeons (e.g., Dr. Martin) at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington, who do the DS - but I don't know whether they do RNY to DS revisions.
 
Oh, my. Sounds like Dr. K needs to do some educating. That is not an answer to a prospective patient. Surely his ego isn't that big that he accepts this thinking he is worth the wait. From this site I know he is, but anyone not familiar with him would surely be put off and seek another doc. One who is not as good, but they'd learn that lesson the hard way with a Frankenstein revision.

@k9ophile Well he is a small office of 3 employees including him. I have no idea if he authorized that or if he even knows everyone is being told that she doesn't know the answer to their question they should call back when Kristina is there or she will try to find out from Dr. K and call back. Silva is the nurse. Kristina handles the paperwork and billing. Honestly to me it's not that big of an issue. I don't know many other nurses in doctors offices who deal with Billing. Honestly I would even bet that his calendar was all scheduled and filled up for the 2 weeks Kristina is away anyways. I don't know too many specialist you can call and get an appointment right away. if a person can wait 2 weeks then maybe they would feel better going elsewhere. Any specialist i have made appointments with was at least a 3 or 4 week wait at minimum. Most of his patients have his cell and email if we need him right away. I emailed him today at 1053 he responded at 1117

my primary dr doesn't accept new patients six months out of the year every year.
 
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@MarineWife13, so I work at a MTF, I would recommend calling tricare or visiting the tricare office on base to find out coverage for revision and referral/con order process.

Completing the surgery at a military treatment facility will significantly reduce costs but if that's not possible your pcp will probably have to enter a referral.

Wait, AD or retiree? This may or may not change coverage. You can inbox me.

Clearly, i am not at work now but i can look into more information & get back to you.
 
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I had my RNY in November 2012. Since having the surgery up until this day I have only lost 35 pounds. I know have high blood pressure again, GERD, high cholesterol and need to use my cpap again. I can eat like a person without wls. I have Tricare South insurance and I am not sure if I should be seen on base first. I really would like the RNY to DS revision.

What to do? should I go on base to talk with their bariatric surgeon? I've heard Tricare has nothing to do with my surgeon as long as I'm on base.

Thanks for reading and any advice will help.

@MarineWife13 I inboxed you.
 

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