Hi Everyone! Well here is my first attempt at an online journal. I hope I at least help one person!
Two months ago my PCP put me on Meridia at my request. The first week of the medication I also tried the Atkins Diet. Both big mistakes in my book. In order to take the Meridia I had to stop taking Prozac. Which I use as a preventative medication for migraine headaches. During that month I was hungry had migraines everyday and only lost 5 lbs. Needless to say on my return visit I said, take me off this stuff! He did, asked if I wanted to try Xenical. I agreed to some samples but i'm sure he saw the look on my face because he then asked me if I had thought about surgery. I told him yes, but only as a fleeting thought, I didnt know much about it and was very scared of having surgery. He printed off a page from his computer with the website for the Broward Center For Obesity and told me to research it, see what I thought.
After reading for many hours and finding my way around countless websites it became clear. This was for me. First thing I did was try to find a surgeon in my area that did this and accepted Tricare Prime.
The problem was not finding a doctor. But finding a network physician. After a few weeks of calls to surgeons, tricare and everyone in between I found a doctor. Had my referral written up then called to schedule my appt. Then I found out that doctor does not do laprascopy which i have my heart set on. So I called Tricare back and they suggested another Dr in Tampa. I called his office to set up an appt. but they could not get me in for 7 months for even a consult. Well in 6 months my referall was up, and I was supposed to have 3 visits in that time. After deciding that it was worth the wait I called Tricare back only to find out that that doctor no longer accepted Tricare. So it was back to the phones for me. Finally I found Dr. Tenewitz on www.Obesityhelp.com I found out that he does do Lap and takes Tricare. When I called Tricare back I was shaking. And when the lady told me that he was still a network doctor and she could change my referall to him I told her I loved her!
I then called Dr. T's Office and found out that I would have to attend a seminar and see Lisa before I could schedule an appt. No problem. The Seminar is on July 3, 2002 and I will be there.
From Dr. T's webiste. www.omnihealthcare.com (surgical weight loss center) I found out that I would need a letter from my PCP, a thyroid screening and a gall bladder ultrasound. Last thursday I called my Dr and told them what I needed. Friday I went down, picked up the two test orders. Went and scheduled the ultra-sound for monday and the blood work that afternoon.
On Monday morning I will go have my ultra-sound done, then come home and call Lisa, the patient consultant for Dr. Tenewitz office and beg her to please see me on either the 3rd or 4th. Since its such a long drive for me to get there I am hoping she will be able to squeeze me in. |
