Nacol

Cindy seems to respond faster to emails IMO. I go for my 2nd visit tomorrow...1 more to go! I'm hoping to be scheduled in Aug.

Good to hear, I hope to have my surgery w him in late Aug/early Sept.

I'm hoping to be a late August bander. Fed BCBS req 3 months supervised n I'm on month 2 now. Ins approval takes about a week per BCBS. Here's hoping that holds true!!

I have Fed BCBS of Tx n was informed by them that ur would take about a week to get approval.

I have leg lymphedema and was wondering how it was goingnw the lap band?

I am going to True Results Houston as well. The Patient Advocate said I was looking at like $3,000 out of pocket based on my ins Fed BCBS.

The Patient Advocate spoke with me about my history of trying to lose weight, discussed my insurance requirements, took measurements/weight, watched the lap band video while waiting, discussed the lap band, got the lap band book and then I had my first nutrition counseling along w scheduling the next month visit. I have to complete 3 additional counseling prior to the surgery and they put in an order to get my medical history. Now, I am just waiting on the psych referall appointment.

I had my first consultation on Monday/nutrition counseling. I am now waiting for the Psych referall. I have to complete 3 more nutrition counseling sessions and get my Dr. to write a note stating I have not smoke in 6 months or been treated for substance abuse in the last year in order to get Fed BCBS to pay for everything. The Patient Advocate told me I was looking at about $3K out of pocket. Hoping to have the surgery by Sept (assuming a quick insurance approval)...I wanna go on my 7 day cruise in November, if possible! All in due time...patience is a virtue I have not yet learned.

Thanks for the info! I had my first nutrition consultation and completed the physical in one day. Just 3 more nutrition counseling sessions and I am on my way...I hope!

Thanks so much! I'm finally ready to make this step n want to be prepared for everything.

Just wondering what the outcome was...?

How did you all cover the 1 year attempt at weight loss requirement? "Evidence that attempts at weight loss in the 1 year period prior to surgery have been ineffective" I have been on/off WW since 2008, started going to the Gym in March/Personal Trainer.

I am on WW and have Fed BCBS Basic. What type of WW documentation did you have to provide (receipts, progress charts, etc)?

Syrup, you are not alone. I am feeling the same way. I lost 70 lbs on WW. But then I started studying for the CPA exam and gained back 40lbs by reverting to my old habits and not exercising. I am simply tired of the yo yo and I need to do something. WW works but who's to say something else will come into my life and I simply won't handle it well. I thought in the beginning that I would never be one of those people that let it come back but look at me now...I know I have it in me to do WW but I feel like I need more stability at the same time.

@Crecia1975, that's just what I needed to hear right now. I am not scheduled until Feb and the surgeon office is not submitting paperwork for approval until Jan, to give me time to complete the new requirements. I started reading the complications thread and oh my, doubt started creeping in.

Good to hear you are doing great with the lap band. I have been reading the complications thread and now I am getting scared/nervous/doubting this decision, etc. If all goes as planned, I am supposed to have the surger in early Feb next year. How did you all get past the doubts?

Did you ever hear from anyone on this...how did everything go for you with GEHA?

Well, it's Open Season, and I am debating whether or not I should go with GEHA or FedBCBS Texas. I have been seeing various docs all year, because I had a time finding one that diagnosed my swollen leg/ankleas as Lymphedema...anyways, in the process I was put on lasik/phenteramine thinking it was possibly a Water or weight issue. I'm wondering if all this visits would even count? Anybody had any success with GEHA. Considering all the recent FedBCBS changs, GEHA is looking better and better.

congrats, that sounds promising...

Im using True Results in Houston. the office has bee great...started in the Fort Worth office, they were good to..to bad I h moved from dew.

Hi, you are far ahead of me. I had the consultation, but need to change to Fed BCBS come Jan in order to have the surgery as planned in February. I was in the Navy a loooong time ago and had twins, messed up my beautiful body and it has been downhill since...I am here to give/receive support. I took the job I have now because it allows me to continue to travel whenever. So, I understand moving around completely.

To speed up the process or accomodate for the upcoming changes, my Patient Advocate has started me on the WL program, set up appts with the nutrionist/pscyh in order to have the surgery in Feb.

I just read the Federal BCBS Texas brochure and yes, they have definately tightened up... Based on the changes, looks like I need to go under a 3 month medically supervised WL program, get nutritional counseling, see psychiatrist, show evidence of WL attempts one year prior (not sure if they will take Weight Watchers), have a diagnosis of morbid obesity for 2 years prior to the surgery, etc. The brochure is on their website now.

I was planning / am going to chg to fed bcbs tx but they have made major changes to morbid obesity plans. It went from no real special requirements to a long list of 3 month dr weigh loss program, nutrition counseling, 1 year evidence of no weight loss. Just seems like a ton of stuff just to get approved. Not sure if it is even worth jumping thru all these hoops....this is how I got trapped the last time by losing a bunch of weight beforehand n then not getting the lap band. Just sux