marsha

WOW Leo! What a difference! You look Great! :banana :banana :banana :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :banana :banana Marsha

Julie, I read your journal. You are a terriffic writer. Everything you say, I feel too! :confused: You are amazing. Keep up the good but hard work, you are doing GREAT! Marsha

"who are you insured with?" I'm insured with United Healthcare PPO. " I see you live in Florida, what made you decide to go all the way to TJ for surgery with Dr. Kuri vs. going to Monterrey with one of the doctors there?" Well, there were lots of factors. #1. Dr. Kuri has a great reputation. #2 It is almost double the price for me to fly to Monterrey then to TJ (hard to believe, but true). #3 I met someone on Lapbandtalk and we decided to go together (Jaejgirl). We both live in Florida and wanted someone to go with. #4 Price...it's hard to beat Dr. Kuri's price and he has a good reputation. " Do you plan to get fills in TJ too?" I am trying to find someone closer for fills, but I will probably get my first fill by Dr. Kuri... I'll see how things go after surgery. " If so, maybe one day we can meet for a "fill" date? " The more the merrier! It's so much easier going through this with someone!!!!! "Thanks for your good thoughts and congratulations to you! I will be thinking about you as March 5th approaches." I'm thinking of you too!!! :confused: Take Care, Marsha

Anne, I was denied by my insurance too! I also decided to go to Mexico and I will be banded by Dr. Kuri on March 5th! You'll be banded just a couple of weeks before me! Don't worry the next few weeks will go by quickly and then you'll be in Bandlandia! :confused: Keep us posted! Marsha

Ok...here goes: My sleep study: I arrived at the center at about 7pm. After cleaning my skin in different places with alcohol and pumice, the "sleep technician" hooked me up to a lot of electrodes (a couple on each leg, a band around my stomach and chest, several electrodes stuck to my chin and around my eyes and about 6 stuck to my head). The electrodes were connected to wires that were hooked up to a monitor. At about 10:30, I went to bed. There's a video camera in the room watching your every move and you are wired for sound (they want to see if you're snooring!) I got up at 5am, they disconnected my wires, I took a shower and went home... The psych eval was easy! First I took a written test of about 120 questions. I just had to answer True False or SOmetimes...they were questions like..."do you ever think of killing yourself?", "Have you ever taken someone elses medications?" Stuff like that. Then I sat and spoke with the psychologist for about 1 1/2 hours. She asked about my weight loss efforts, my family life growing up and about my family situation now. She also asked about my support at home, etc. I hope this helps! If you have specific questions, I'd be glad to try to answer! Marsha

Donali, Just curious...what do you do for a living? I hope you are involoved in mental health somehow because you sure know what to say just at the right time! I truly love reading your posts!:confused: Marsha

YEAH Leo! You are doing so well. Congradulations!!!!!! Marsha

Bright, I love your posts! Congradulations on your success! It must be sooooo much fun torturing the skinny people! I can't wait to get my turn! Keep us posted! Marsha

Sounds like a lot of money upfront to me. I had to dish out $300 for a nutrition class before they even submitted for approval. I was eventually denied by my insurance and am out the $300. I also had to pay a lot of co-pays for different doctor visits and I had to pay for 25% of my sleep study (another $225). It seems to me like you should be able to choose your own gym and Protein shakes! I'd keep looking for other surgeons! Just my 2cents! Marsha

I think you probably have a good chance of overturning the denial. The lapband is not experimental! It is FDA Approved. If you want a real opinion, Walter Lindstrom (obesity insurance attorney) would probably give you a better idea! www.obesitylaw.com. Just a thought, Marsha Please dont give up!!!

Alex, Do you realize that at 5'9" and 165lbs, your BMI is 24?? THis is in normal range (normal range being BMI between 20 and 25)! YOU ARE NORMAL!!! I agree with Alexandra...just tweak here and there. You are doing so well. Congradulations! Just my 2 cents Marsha

Just wanted to let everyone know that Oprah will have a show on WLS on Monday Jan 12. It will feature Randy from American Idol and his experience with WLS. It will also deal with "problems" other people have had to deal with after WLS (emotional/relationship/eating stuff). Thought it might be interesting! Marsha

I'm in Palm Beach County (south florida). I went through all testing with Dr. Szomstein at CLeveland Clinic but was denied by insurance. I'm probably going to go to Mexico but was wondering about Dr. Fusco since I'd never heard of him! Thanks for the info and good luck with your journey! I'm sorry if we hijacked this post...didn't mean to. I know there are lap band surgeons at Jackson Memorial in Miami (I think). I also think Cleveland has a center in Naples. Try going to Yahoo groups and search for South Florida Bandsters. I know they'd have info on more doctors! Hope this helps. Marsha

notmyself, Do you know what Dr. Fusco charges for patients without insurance? Just curious (I noticed his web site states he is less expensive then others because he does the lap band at an outpatient center). Also, Do you know how many lapbands he has done? THanks, Marsha

Congrats Sassaay! I second your Thank You! The people on this board have given so many hope when they thought they had none; Knowledge when they had none; and support when they needed it most! (including me!) I feel at home and accepted on this board! What a wonderful place! You are all an amazing group of people! Marsha

Jaejgirl, Who will be your surgeon? Where in Mexico are you going? Marsha

Thanks to everyone who responded. I will definately be going to Mexico. In the beginning, I had a list of six or so surgeons that I've heard good things about...but for me right now, I think I've narrowed it down to Dr. Sanchez or Dr. Kuri. (for different reasons). I'm also trying to consider the cost of getting fills along with the surgery. No sence in having surgery then not being able to afford a few fills! Well, I'm hoping for February. I just finally convinced my husband that I NEED the surgery (he's one of those skinny people that can eat anything and not gain a pound (he doesn't understand what it's like on this side). Now, I'm in the process of convincing him that Mexico is a safe clean alternative place to have surgery. Vera and Sue: Did you fly into Monterrey? Thanks again to everyone who posts. This site is so amazing...it's pleasant and the people dont fight all the time like other places! I feel like we're a big family. Marsha

I was recently denied surgery by my insurance company and I'm considering going to Mexico. I'd like to hear any stories or information any of the Mexican Bandsters would like to share (good or bad) that might help me make a decision as to which Doctor to choose (there seem to be many good ones). I've also heard that many include free fills after surgery (of course you pay your own airfare for the fills) Is this true? Thanks for all your posts. I love reading them and I love this site! Marsha

Hi everyone, Thanks for your support. My surgeon's office called this morning and told me they are going to help me appeal through the human resources department at my husbands job. The company my husband works for (and my helath insurance is through) is partially owned by United Healthcare (I don't know if this is good or bad). I've decided if I don't get help this way, I'm considering hiring the lawyers at Obesitylaw.com. Has anyone used them? Lindaloo - If I don't get the approval, I've decided to invest in myself...I'll have to go to Mexico, but I'm going to do it! I told my husband...the surgery will pay for itself overtime (our grocery bill will be smaller ! Thanks to all of you for your support through this really trying time, I'm so glad you all are here! Marsha

Hi Everyone. Today I'm very sad. I recieved a denial letter from UHC. They state "benefits are not availale for surgical and non-surgical treatment of obesity, including morbid obesity under your plan". :cry I guess I'll always be fat. Marsha

Hi Everyone, Today, I was denied by UHC. The letter states "obesity related surgery or treatment is not covered by your plan". :cry Marsha

Thanks for all your replys! I submitted on Mon. Nov 24th and am waiting now. I hope I don't get denied...I'm kind of expecting to get denied though since my bmi is 36 (but I do have several co-morbidities). I guess I just have to wait...(this is the hardest part!) Marsha

For those of you who have UHC insurance, I'm just curious...How long did it take to get approval (or denial) once you submitted? Thanks, Marsha

Hedy, The criteria for surgery is based more on your BMI then the number of pounds overweight you are. You can find a BMI calculator on many websites. BMI takes into consideration your height and weight. I'm about 75lbs overweight. I'm 5'6" and 222lbs. My bmi is 36 but I have a few co-morbidities. Usually if your bmi is 35-39 you need to prove you have other health problems related to obesity. If your bmi is over 40 you usually don't need related health problems (but every little bit helps). Every insurance company is different and some don't cover the surgery no matter what! I'm currently waiting for approval from my insurance company. I went to my first informational session at Cleveland Clinic in May. I saw Dr. Szomstien for the first time in June and completed all my testing and nutrition class in October. My file was submitted to insurance yesterday. I was told it would probably take 10-15 days for approval (as long as I'm not denied) and then my surgery would be scheduled for sometime in Feb. I don't want to be discouraging...just know this process takes a long time. I'll let you know when I get a surgery date! Marsha

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to give you all an update. Well, it's been over a month since I finished everything and still nothing! I emailed Michelle (the nutritionist) and she fowarded my email to Karen (RN), Karol (office coordinator) and Anita (insurance authorizations). Karol sent me a rather rude email telling me I needed to go through the process and wait. Karol sent a reply to Michelle (not realizing that I recieved a copy) with a really nasty remark. Anita emailed me to say she was working on the problem and couldn't find my file in the computer. She eventually found it and submitted to my insurance the same day! Anita was very professional and very kind to me! So, at least the ball is rolling again! Marsha