IMSKINNY

Thanks, GS4M! I'll contact mt ins rep today. I have Colonial.

What disability insurance do you have?

Did anyone have a problem getting their disability insurance to cover their time off work after surgery in MX?

GirlFriday, I'm not from AL, but I'm from Louisiana and I know what you mean. I told my niece and she's a nurse about the MX option and she was not in favor of it at all, without even listening to me make my case. Then, I thought most medical folks probably get annoyed when we go to MX because they know it's cheaper.

I completely understand. My niece used Care Credit and she was pleased. Try them.

I'm sure someone will answer shortly. The only thing that I can say on the topic is that one of the physicians in MX that I am considering said that if I finance the amount with one of the medical finance groups, to ask for 10% over the cost? I didn't ask why because I am not using medical finance, but I found that odd. If I have to self pay, I am just going to set my date out far enough to save my money.

I think all of us that are trying to do the surgery with the help of insurance are worried that we won't be approved! Don't feel bad about thinking that! My last visit to my surgeon before submitting to the insurance is next week. Although I have several comorbidities, I still feel like my health may be 'too good' to be approved, but I'm praying that it works out. However, just in case, I decided to find a Plan B and for me that might mean crossing the border to MX for the surgery. It's definitely cheaper! And I can get in for surgery in August. At the beginning of this process, I would never have considered that, but the more I have read, the more it seems like a strong possibility. One of the finance options I have heard about is CareCredit.com. I hope this helps!

Funny you guys should mention it, but I can't lose either. Not because I'm not supposed to lose. I probably should lose a few pounds because my BMI is 46! But, I just can't seem to lose ANY weight!! I've drinking these stupid shakes, exercising, etc., but it seems impossible! I guess that's why I'm doing this, right? But, it seems like in the past, I could alter something in my diet and I could drop a few pounds, but the older I get, the harder this is becoming! I'm particularly frustrated today.

@Rootman - Wow, that was steal! One of my friends is a business owner so her insurance isn't great. She's self-paying and will be skinny before me! Rattttssss! I have another appt before they submit to the insurer, but you can believe I'm thinking of self-pay and Mexico!

I know what you mean about impatient! I am the queen of that! One of my friends just confided in me that she's having the surgery and she's paying for it herself. Now, she's having it done before me because she didn't have this 3 month weight thing to do! My surgeon is Dr. Chu in Lafayette. My last visit is In June. They will submit the paperwork after that.

No, I don't mind at all, if you join in. Hey, you're lucky to have Aetna!! From what I've seen on this forum, Aetna is the best to have. I was told by my surgeon's office that my insurance follows the requirements of Aetna. I hope I get approved!! I, like you, have been heavy all my life. I've made up my mind too and wonder what took me so long. I have decided that if I am denied, I am going to find the money and self pay, if I have to. Whose your surgeon?

Wheetsin, that was super duper helpful info! My paperwork gets submitted after my last visit to my surgeon in June. I am startimg to get a little nervous....

Hey, I wanted to just check in on you and see how your process was coming along! I had an endoscopy last week! Yuck! It requires sedation. As a result, I was diagnosed with GERD. I thought I was kind of healthy until I started this journey.

I had the same question and finally just asked my NP at my surgeon's office. Mine did not require weightloss. Just ask.

Maybe getting the doctor to say that at the time, had the sleeve been a recommended procedure (as opposed to experimental), he would have recommended the sleeve rather than the band.

I know what you mean about what people say. One of my friends said today that she's hoping I don't have the surgery!! What kind of crap is that?! I don't think I'm a bad looking woman and I've always been fairly confident. I just think that she might be afraid that if I lose enough weight, I will REALLY be the bomb!! Either way, I've decided to stop discussing the issue with her. She's kinda getting on my nerves!!

It's sounds like your approval should be coming soon! I was told I had to do the 3 month supervised diet. The diet has been Meal Replacement shakes! This month I move to 2 shakes a day. Yuck! My last check in will be in June. I've had a gallbladder ultrasound, the psych eval, lab work, a sleep study, and the pre op EGD. My BMI is over 40 and I have hypertension, sleep apnea, and arthritis. The surgeon's office told me that the paperwork will be submitted to the insurer in June. Pray for me and I'll pray for you. Everyone goes to Covington for surgery. Which one are you using?

No, I haven't had the procedure yet. I have one more month of the supervised weightloss before the paperwork is submitted by my surgeon's office. I live in Alexandria and my doctor is in Lafayette. Where are you? Have you started the process yet?

I live in Louisiana, but I haven't heard of your insurer, but no one has heard of mine either.

Congratulations!

That's what the sleep people told me too, but she said my insurer never asked for the data download, which would reveal if I was using the machine. She thought that was odd, but maybe that means the insurer doesn't know what they're doing!

Wow! You guys have really scared me! I guess I will get the machine and try it. I have been very groggy in the AM over the last 2 years. The sleep apnea probably coincides with my weight moving past my comfortable weight level. I wonder if the insurer is thinking that they will pay for renting the machine for 6 months, rather than buying it, because they expect me to have the surgery shortly? I hope so!

I know that I am probably over thinking this, but here goes. I was told I have sleep apnea and my insurer has approved renting the machine for sleep apnea for six months. Did anybody not get the machine and still got approved?

I asked the NP at my surgeon's office that exact question. She said that I didn't have to lose a specific amount, but they highly discouraged gaining. I lost three at my last visit. But, I have gained that plus a couple since then. I go back next week and so, I'm going to do 2 shakes a day, drink lots of water, and exercise until next Wednesday. Yuck! Wish me luck!

I am sure the ins gurus on this message board will ask which ins you have.