StacyS

I have my psych eval on monday and have no idea what to expect.... Any advice or what to watch out for would be appreciated!!!

Melody- You are the BEST! Thank you for that information! I knew about the removal of the "hunger" hormone with the Sleeve but didnt read the statisics on the stomach "growing" it back over time!! That's really good to know, especially since my problems dont arise from being hungry all the time.... I have a tendancy to eat when I'm not even hungry so being banded and forcing me to adjust my eating habits is VERY important for me!! Thank you again for this information!! Very valuable!!!

Why can't you give them the letter you received?

I agree with you JoMi, I like the option of getting adjustments and learning how I need it. I like the fact that it's reversable. I like that you lose slowly (no flabby skin for me). What I don't like are the posts about slipage and the potencial of wearing away the stomach tissue. I know most happy ppl don't post cuz they are out living their lives but I have seen a lot of positive posts too. Plus, its a lot easier to get approved. I just want to be sure I'm making the right choice....

I'm actually quite confused. I've been on the www.verticalsleevetalk.com website reading what people are posting on there and then jumping back to the success stories on this forum. You know, everyone is different and success is success but for me the Lap Band is the perfect tool for me since I dont have a handle on my eating! With the lap band I will be 'forced' to eat very little and really focus on what/how I eat! The sleeve is the removal of the stomach and guess what?? the stomach is a muscle and if you continue to overeat it will eventually stretch back out to what it was before it was removed!! Look at Carney Wilson! But, Yes, this can also happen with the Lap Band but I would rather give it a try and see how successful I can be while banded and then take it from there!!! Sleeve vs Band.... ((round 1))

Congrats!!! I'm simply waiting for my call now! I sure hope I get it soon too!! How long did you have to wait for your approval??

What is Pacu?? So, if I understand you correctly, the time starts when you are admitted and in a bed prepping for surgery- then it stops during surgery and in recovery- then starts again when you get into a room??

just spoke to surgeon's office and they will be submitting my file to the insurance company this week!!! YooHOOOOOOOOOO

What does NSV stand for???

Che, didnt your doctor remove the hiatal hernia during surgery? I have one too and my surgeon said he will remove mine while he's in there....

I had actually done the 6 mo supervised diet way before I even thought about doing the lap band, so I just got all of the paper work from that doctor and had it with me at my first appt with the lap band surgeon. I had everything ready to go at my first appt... the 6 mo supervised diet, 5 year medical history, endoscopy results from 2008, blood work from June 2010, EVERYTHING!! So, when I did the psych eval on monday and verified the surgeon's office received it, my paperwork to submit to insurance shouldn't take that long!! I just called and left another message. I'll give her til mid-afternoon and call back!! This anticipation is killing me!!!

Hey Rick.... I'm very impatient too and I'm waiting for the surgeon's office to "reveiw" my file and submit to insurance for pre-authorization AND approval. I totally know the feeling and cant stand when they dont call back!! I know they are busy but just give me the status already!

Thanks Mattie.... I have the 6mo. supervised diet already.... I'm ready to go I just hope the surgeon's office acts fast and submits the paperwork for the pre-auth and the approval this week. I already called and left a msg but of course no one called me back. Looks like I'll be calling tomorrow.... I hate the waiting game. Did you get your approval yet Mattie?

I just called BCBS and they said I only need ONE pre-authorization, which would cover both the surgeon fees as well as the facility's fees..... OMG, I just hope they are correct and I dont get in a situation like this one. At least you were able to get the $37K charges resolved w/out it coming out of your pocket.

I also have BCBS Federal..... I was aware of the Pre-Authorization but like you said, no one from the insurance company has said anything about a second pre-authorization letter needed from the facility. How would I obtain that?? Through the hospital where I'm having the surgery??

Ok, had the psych eval yesterday.... a total waste of time! It was a sit down "interview" but it really wasnt. He talked a lot and just typed up the eval as we spoke. Nothing really discussed about bariatric surgery or anything really related to "eating disorders". But..... I got the eval and just verified with the surgeon's office that they received it. Now, it's a waiting game to see how long the surgeon's office reviews my file and compiles the info to submit for approval. I sure hope I dont have to keep calling and bugging them for a status. I sure hope they can get it reviewed and sent off this week!! Am I dreaming?? How long did it take any of you after your eval was received? I have BCBS-Fed and I've read that they are rather quick in approving surgery, I just have a feeling this doctor's office is slow in submitting the paperwork to insurance...... UGH....

I say call... the sweaky wheel gets the oil. Plus, you never know who's desk your file could be sitting on before they realize it needs to be reviewed! It's better to be on top of things than just assume they are reviewing it.

Hi All, Just wondering if anyone has experience with Dr. Philippe Quilici out of Burbank, Ca? I went to the consultation and they told me that he was one of the best doctors in California and I even spoke to patients in the waiting room waiting for a fill who said they loved him. The feeling I got from his office staff was that they were pretty busy and wouldnt start working on my paperwork until I had my psych eval.... I was just curious to see if anyone else on here has used him for their surgery?? Thanks, Stacy

Thank you. I feel better now. The psych I'm going to doesn't work injunction with my surgeon cuz they didn't take insurance and wanted to charge me $200, so I'm going to an approved one by the insurance company....but I'm sure it'll be ok. I'm doing this for all the right reasons

You should do a BMI check.... do a google search for BMI Calculator. If you have sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc then your BMI only needs to be 35. If you dont have any of those complications, it needs to be 40.

OMG, I am so different from all of you!! I've told anyone and everyone! I'm so excited and happy about the surgery that I just cant contain it! My husband just said, "why dont you just diet and excercise?"- AS IF.... Once I said I was done battling with my weight and I was getting it regardless of what anyone thought, he was on board. For me, I have a very strong family background and they're all ok with my decision and are very supportive. One piece of advice- Never keep something like this from your significant other! This is a HUGE decision and should be a journey as a couple! If you keep something like this from them, trust will be effected. My girlfriend kept it from her husband and it destroyed their marriage!! If you cant tell your spouse, then maybe you need to take a closer look at your relationship!! (just a thought) Anyway, my point..... it's your decision; it's your life; it's your future! The more people you get on your side, the more you have to support you before, during, and after surgery!

Even though it's a bariatric psych eval, they are still Psychatrist first... LOL.... Thank you all for the help. I read one girl "scored a 90" and the Psych told her she needed to be in the 50 range. I have no idea what she was talking about and therefore I'm kinda apprehensive that I wont pass. If it's like a sit down "interview" I'm sure I'll do fine. I've read a lot about the lap band and feel pretty confident about my knowledge but I'm still nervous!

I would do a search for him under forums. I've read a lot of negative things about this Dr and his office staff.....

I'm actually trying to find another doctor right now. I'm very unhappy with the doctor I chose... they charge a $600 "program fee" above and beyond what they will be billing my insurance! So, I'm calling around to see which other doctors do NOT charge an out-of-pocket fee. I'm very disappointed cuz I would now have to start the process all over again!!! UGH!!

O, I'm so glad its only 3 months cuz I already have that!!! I'm glad for you too cuz then you only have one more month!!! There is light at the end of the tunnel!!!