tflitter

Question- I am going to have BCBS (anthem) WI as of Jan 1. If it states in the plan that they do not cover weight loss programs or treatment of obesity, am I a lost cause? Was this included in your BCBS plan? I would assume that I do have comorbids- High cholesteral, hypothyroidism, mild asthma, depression, bordeline diabetic and family history for heart disease, with a BMI of 36.7.

I am so frustrated right now.

Good Luck Tomorrow!!! Thank you for the information. I will have BCBS as of January 1st. Cigna, which I have now will not cover me.

I'm having surgery tomorrow and I went to my seminar/consultation the beginning of October! I have been fortunate. I did not have any insurance delays....took only 3-4 days, because I was a pest. I started with one doctor group (800-get-thin), had one sleep study & with them, it was going to be 6 weeks getting all the results back BEFORE they would even submit to the insurance company. I needed to have my surgery by the end of the year so I went searching for another group, which I found from this & they have been AWESOME! Two and a half weeks after having my endoscopy through them, I am having surgery! I am so pleased with the doctors and the staff.

I have read some nightmares on here with people being denied, appealing, having to wait months and months for approval. I guess it depends on your insurance. I have Anthem BCBS PPO, my BMI is barely 40 and I have moderate sleep apnea. Because of my BMI being varely 40, I didn't have to do the pre-op liquid diet, thank God! My liquid diet will start after surgery. If you don't have any known co-morbidities (heart issues, diabetes, etc) I think all docs do a sleep study to see if you have sleep apnea (most overweight people do). If your BMI is 35-39, you have to have a co-morbidity, if your BMI is 40+ you don't have to have a comorbidity. There are BMI calculators online to help you find your BMI so you can see if you are a candidate. In addition to the sleep study my doc (& I think all do) required an endoscopy; this was done the same week as my sleep study. My psyche eval was done over the phone & my nutrition consultation was done the day of my endoscopy. Some insurances require 3-6 months of nutrition classes; mine did not. You insurance company should be able to give you their requirements.

Good luck! Hope your journey is as easy as mine has been thus far! Tomorrow will begin the REAL journey!

What is generally the process timeline for the Lap Band? How long from the Orientation does it take to get to surgery?

What??? I have Cigna and they told me the surgery was not covered. They were very mean to me and said they will not pay for my obesity

Hey Newbie-

Congrats on getting banded. I live in Wisconsin too, just north of you..West Bend! Congrats on your banding!

I am not yet banded. Just got the courage to make an orientation appointment today. How are things going so far?

Tricia

Hi Kim- Like you, I have not been banded yet. I finally got the courage today to call and set up an Orientation time and a consultation appointment. I think you should maybe attend a seminar or Orientation too if you are on the fence like me. I know exactly how you feel. I was that single mom at one time. It sucks, but everything happens for a reason. Not only should you be doing this for your little one, but most importantly doing this for yourself. You want to make sure that you are there for every step of his life. You want to see him get married, having children etc. Doing this for YOU will in turn have the benefits for him:)

I am 32 also, and carry my weight well too;) I am 232 lbs. I am married with 2 kids, 13 and 3 years old. I was actually thinner during my childhood years and high school. I gained so much weight through both of my pregnancies. I have tried every diet there is out there. Never lost more than 10 lbs.

I also have a full time job, a part-time job, go to nursing school too and do not have time to exercise. I know people say I need to cut that down, but I will not. I want to give my kids the best things in life and will do whatever it takes to get them that. One best things in life is me being there for them. These past 13 years, I have been so consumed with doing for others, it's my turn!

So, I hope we can take this journey together if that is what you decide. First step- Go on the Lap Band sight and find a seminar to attend or make an appointment with a surgeon for an Orientation.

Tricia

Hi eveyone,

My name is Kim and I'm 32years old. Unlike most of you I have not had lapband, I have not consulted a Dr. I have not even let anyone (except you all) know that I am even seriously considering getting it. I have been healthy quite a long time since about 14. I never really had a issue with it until the last 5 years. Right now I weight 340lbs (weighed myself this morning) . Fortunately I carry my weight well. When I tell people my weight they always say "Really"? U dont look like you weigh that much. BUT I DO! I have a 18month old little boy who is the love of my life. I am a single mom who works full time and goes to school and I have very little time to excercise. I am not lazy in the least I just dont have the time to excercise and I want to be fit for my son. I want to go to amusement parks and not be told Im too big to ride on a rollercoaster. I want to learn how to roller skate but Im too afraid if I fall because of my weight i would do serious damage. I owe it to him to be be a active mom. I am a emotional eater. Right after I had him his dad and I had a nasty break up..I was with him 8 years and its like immediately I was a single mom. I took this pic when he was 9 weeks old and I have gained 25 more lbs since then and I am tired. I need a support group to tell me their experiences with this surgery and weight loss in general. I am not doing this for a man, low self esteem, or anything like that. I am a 340lb diva lol..But I do want to be healthy and I think lapband would be great for me. I am at my wits end and Im tired of getting bigger...Anything u all can offer I would appreciate. How do i get started?? Will it hurt..How much time will I need off from work..Is it like having a c-section(I had one of those)...Whats the recoup time. Do you regret it? Do you love it?..Anything you can advise Id appreciate. I look forward to getting to know you all better. Thanks so much!!

KIm

HI everyone- I am your latest newbie. My name is Tricia. I am in the process of learning more about the Lap Band procedure. I am 31 yrs old. 5'7 and 240lbs. I am a wife and mother of 2 (2 &12). I work full time, sitting at a desk all day long. My ideal weight is 150-155lbs. My health problems currently consist of astma, high cholesteral, anxiety, slight depression and my back is starting to kill me. I have tried every diet out there. The only one that worked for me was the Atkins Diet, however that made me really sick.

I have been researching the Lap Band for a few weeks now. I still am trying to find out if I am a good candidate for this procedure. I am 100lbs over weight and by BMI is 37, with health issues. All the questionaires say that I am a good candidate.

I signed up for a Lap Band seminar for Jan 13th, so that is a start. I am worried about some of the terrible things that I have been reading online. I am also worried that my insurance will not cover the procedure. I have CIGNA. I already called them and asked, but before I could explain they simply yelled at me and said it was my fault I was obese and they do not cover those types of procedures. Jerks!

Any advice, or information that anyone can provide would be wonderful