NJ2NC

HI Bri, my journey began in March of 2011. I went for my first approval in July but had an insurance requirement delay however I did received my approval in December and I get banded on January 17th. I'm on day 4 of my pre-op diet. The plan designed by the nutritionist isn't too bad I only get hungry if I go more than 4 hours without either drinking a Protein shake or eating my small meal. I get 3 Protein shakes a day and 2 small meals lots and lots of water/sugar free liquid. Hopefully we can support each other through our challenging life changing journey..

I'm getting banded on the 17th, right now I'm 4 days into my pre-op diet...so far so good. Best Wishes to you..I have the same concerns but I pray all will be well.

Thanks Coalminerswife23, it has been. I hope your approval comes through soon as well..

I am on pre-op day 4 (banded on 1/17/12). I understand this is suppose to be a very very low carb diet no sugar diet to shrink the liver. I do 5 meals a day (3)protein shakes (always more than 15g of protein and no more than 5g of carbs) and (2) low carb meals or a lean cuisine not Pasta based long as it's 300 calories or less and more than 14g of protein then the carbs are ok. The meat and veg meals usually have less carbs then most of the frozen meal varieties. with that spaced out throughout the day and LOTS of Water I'm pretty satisfied.. and there are a few freebies I can munch on too (sugar free Jello, celery, etc.) Good luck.

It appears all the programs require slightly different things. I was required to go to the Nutritionist as part of my program (I get banded on 1/17/12 - YaY). I was advised to take the following: 1. Chewable Multi-Vitamin for adults (no gummies recommended) 2. Chewable Calcium Citrate w/ D3 - 1500mg/day (500mg pills spaced out morn/lunch/dinner) 3. Do not mix Multivitamins containing Iron with calcium supplements (take 2 hours apart) 4. Do not substitute Tums (calcium carbonate) for your calcium You may want to talk to your nutritionist or doctor to get what combination is right for you.

If I have to stay overnight past the 24hour mark..I believe it will be another $150. Sorry to hear about that promotion hopefully something bigger and better is waiting for you down the line. I haven't started my Protein Shakes, I go to the nutritionist next week to go over the pre-op diet but I have a good idea what it will be..either way it will start on the 3rd.

Thanks Grider! Good luck to you too. I've just gotten all my pre-op/post op appointments set, hospital co-pay fee paid (which was $150) and now all I have left is to wait 18 days and try not to get over anxious. I'm sure with the lab work, and pre-op visits I'll be hit with a few additional bills. I'll be sure to add them all up and post the total cost so others (like myself) who's researching out of pocket cost with Fed Basic will at least know what I paid.

Fed BCBS-North Carolina (Basic) has a $150 per surgeon co-pay (I'll have a surgeon and assistant surgeon = $300) The hospital hasn't called me but I'm sure the facility is a $75 co-pay. But Hey, I'll pay early if they offer me a discount every little bit helps!!!

Just following up..I did change from Standard to Federal BCBS Basic!! I hope it works out ok. Also, I received my approval YAY! I'm scheduled to get my band Jan 17th..What a great way to start the New Year!! and so far I'm required to pay $300 I'm about to call and find out my co-pay for the hospital.

a little more than 4 Months later, completed my supervised physician weight loss requirement, paperwork and appeal letter sent. I GET BANDED JANUARY 17TH !!! excited, nervous and grateful all rolled up into 1 big ball of emotion! Thanks everyone for your support.

Kim, I'm thinking of changing my federal BCBS Standard Plan to Basic for 2012. It looks as the though the charges are similar (however higher since 2009, now its $150). I also see a 30% for medical equipment and understand the band itself is considered equipment but I have no idea of the cost of the band here. I'm having the hardest time just nailing down an estimate of this surgery with insurance. NC BCBS couldn't even give me an answer when I asked about my current standard plan. I doubt they'll have any better answers with asking about a plan I don't even have yet. Well hopefully my final paperwork is off for approval, I'll be checking on that in just a few minutes.

Hi all, I'm in the middle of Open Season. I currently have fed BCBS Standard and looking to change to BASIC for 2012. I just finished my 3rd supervised weightloss appointment and know by the time approval (hopefully) rolls around and surgery scheduled it will be 2012. I'm really trying to figure out which insurance will be the most beneficial with out of pocket costs. I just want to make sure I put enough in my flexible spending plan. All the Dr's are preferred and the hospital is a Blue Distinction Center. I have until the 12th to make my final decision. How much did everyone end up paying pay??

Congratulations!!! I'm still waiting.. Think I ran into a little snag but hopefully I'll have some news today or tomorrow.

Thanks Melinda, I just received an email from the Bariatric co-ordinator (that's who originally sent my paperwork in and my contact person) she informed me she had to "re-fax" my paperwork back to BCBS. I really need to know what happened.. when I called around Aug1 to BCBS they said "still being processed" how did it go from "being processed" to having to be re-faxed back in?? OMG So does this mean I have to wait another few weeks for a decision! yeah its time to get back on the phone with BCBS and find out what I should expect from them.

I should clarify.. I didn't know I had a date when I called BCBS and they told me it was "still being processed" the ins. Rep mentioned it was a tentative date of Aug 2nd on my file (maybe to help speed them along or a tentative date is required for approval ... I don't know) but needless to say it didn't speed things along since Aug 2nd has come and gone. The waiting game has turned into a frustration game!

I had a surgery date of Aug 2nd submitted with my packet and here it is August 11th (packet sent July 11th) and still NOTHING! I just sent a message to the surgical coordinator asking if this was normal for Fed BCBS .. She's going to follow up and see what she can find out.

I also have Fed BCBS, my paperwork went in on July 11th..still no word from them after almost 3 weeks . I was under the impression BCBS was fast too. I called last week only to be told "It is still being processed" .. I dislike the waiting game very much!

I also have FEHB Standard..All my paperwork went off to BCBS July 11th I still haven't heard if I've been approved. My major concern is the new 2011 3month physician supervised diet requirement. I did complete a 3m physician supervised diet June 2010 - Aug 2010 I included all the details and weekly results with my initial packet. My worry is it was too far back. I guess I'll find out soon enough.