rowekins

My BMI was 48, now probably still 46 or so

My BMI when I started this process was 48, I've lost some weight since then. I have no comorbidities. As I'm waiting for insurance approval, I'm now wondering how much that fact will hurt my chances of getting the band. I have United Healthcare. Any thoughts?

I so hope I get a positive answer soon! My final visit with my surgeon is tomorrow :0 I'm not sure I would handle a denial well. But, if it happens, I'll appeal.

Thanks for the info, everybody! They initially told me it could take 30 days, but my nurse consultant said more along the lines of what I read here. Phershey, did they give you a reason why you were denied so many times? I got a call today saying my information was submitted on the 10th. Fingers crossed!

My information was submitted to insurance. How long did any of you wait before hearing a decision? I have United Health Care. Thank you for any info!

Thank you! Good luck to you, too! I was told it could take 30 days to hear anything. I hope not and I hope it's good.

Just noticed your surgery date! Good luck to you,too!

First, Welcome:) If I hadn't known better, I would have thought I'd written this! Same age, same insurance, 48 BMI, initial husband issues, horrid family health history. I think we may work for the same company LOL. I began my journey in August of 2010, and I'm currently waiting for insurance approval. I'm fortunate in that one of my friends/coworkers was banded last April and is helping me with the personal concerns I have. While I can research until I'm blue in the face, it's not the same as talking to someone who is living it. I can tell you your concerns are not that uncommon. Keep talking to your coworkers who have had this done. There are most likely open to answering questions you may not feel comfortable asking your surgeon. Good luck!

I've dotted my i's and crossed my t's. The information has been submitted. Now I wait......for insurance approval. I'm pretty sure everything will be fine, but I know my insurance company can do whatever they want. My final visit with my surgeon is on 3/16. Hope I hear a decision soon! Wish me luck!

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice. I thought it seemed like a long time on the liver reduction diet too, but that's what the doc says. Iit will actualy be longer as he said that with waiting for insurance approval it could be May before surgery. I started a food log and what I found is that I was eating virtually nothing during the day. I was not feeling well, so I didn't eat, causing me to feel worse. I've gotten better at eating, and feel better. My BP at my supervised weight loss class was 102/60 and blood sugar was 88 (I'm not diabetic).

Woohoo! So excited for you! I'll find out when my date is at the beginning of next month. Can't wait to begin my new life! Good luck!

Welcome! Each doctor and insurance company requires their own things. My BMI was 48.8 with no comorbidities at the start of my journey. I had to have a psych eval, 6 months of nurse consulting calls, 6 months of pre and post life coach type calls, nutrition seminar. Because my BMI was (is) so high, I didn't have to have a sleep study or other tests I've seen required. My surgeon makes us do a 3 month liver reduction diet (basically lean meat, veggies, and cheese.) There is a lot involved, but if you stay on top of it, everything typically rolls together. I got my referral from my primary doc in August of 2010, and I will be banded sometime in May of this year and I can't wait. Good luck!

My work switched insurance companies from Anthem to UHC on January 1. The band is covered My advice is to stay on top of things with them. Almost all of my information transferred over, but they required predetermination and psych eval re submitted. What they told me is that the conversion is fairly simple as long as communication stays open. Good luck~

I'm not on any caloric restriction, but it's basically protein, veggies, and water. I'm glad I'm not alone feeling this way. I'm a physical therapy assistant, so I'm on my feet a lot, bending over, things like that. I usually feel a little better at night, but I figured it was because I was relaxing at home. I'm not eating much through out the day. That would make sense. I have nutrition counseling on Feb 3 at my bariatric clinic. Thank you!

Hi everyone. My surgeon has me on a 12 week liver reduction diet, calcium citrate, multi vitamin and vitamin D3. Ever since I started (I'm 3 weeks in) I've felt an almost constant faint dizziness and lightheadedness. Sometimes I get VERY dizzy. A nurse told me it may be the calcium. I haven't taken it for a week and still feel the same. Today, I got really warm and almost fainted at work. Has any one else experienced this?

My work switched insurance companies for me at the first of the year. I had no say. My surgical consultation was yesterday. I've been stressing SO much over everything. I understand how you feel. They say something is not covered, then they change their minds. AAHHH! I didn't know we were switching insurance companies until after I started the band appointments. If I had, I would have just waited until January. Good luck!

Thank you for the words of encouragement! I'm very excited. I found out today that my work changed insurace companies on 1-1-11, and that I may need to virtually start over Fingers are crossed that I don't.

I was approved through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and have completed everything they've asked me to do up to my surgical consultation this Wednesday. My work decided to switch to United Health Care on January 1st. I'm reading on hear that the prerequesites for UHC are MUCH more strict than Anthem. I'm afraid I may have to start over. Has anyone else had to switch mid process? I'm hoping I get grandfathered in or something. I'm 32 and my BMI is almost 39. I have no co morbidities. Any information is appreciated.

Hello! This is my first post. I'm 32, married and the mother of 2. I'm having my first surgical consultation on January 5th. I'm both excited and scared. Any advice is appreciated!