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Here's Dr. Baker's website: Obesity-Surgery.net - Dr. John W. Baker, Bariatric Surgeon Anyone else out there under Dr. Baker's care?

I'm just starting the whole process but I can tell you that I was referred to Dr. Wellborn but he did not want to accept my insurance. I am now starting the process again with Dr. Baker. Another doctor here that I have heard of is Dr. Lutrell. I can not give a personal opinion about any of them since I have not been in the care of them, but this may give you a starting point. Congrats on the weight loss!

Hi ladies, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here... I came to the boards last year around this time seeking info on Dr. Wellborn, attended his seminar & was pushed aside b/c he did not take Fed BCBS. At that point I got frustrated so I just decided to try another diet. Failed. I'm back to wanting the lap band and have sought info on Dr. Baker--I've heard a lot of good things about him & have recently been in touch with his offices. I'm scheduled for his seminar on the 19th and will do the support group meeting on the 14th. I guess you do all this plus labs before you even get a consult? Is this usual protocall? I'm a nervous wreck.

Hello out there Arkansas! I posted around here sometime a few months ago (maybe it was like 7 or 8 months ago) about lab band in LR area with Dr. Wellborn. Actually, I attended a seminar & was told up front that they will not accept Federal BC/BS & will ask that I self pay. I do not have that kind of $ nor could I even finance it. At that point I felt like I hit a brick wall & didn't bother trudging through any other obstacles. Well, I'm back to lurking again. I wanted to know if Federal BC/BS will provide a pre-auth number & how did you get them to do it? That was the case with Dr. Wellborn is he said they will not give pre-auth, they just say they cover it if you meet the criteria (which I do) and will pay claims after the fact. According to Wellborn, they have had many problems with "after the fact" so they accept self pay and make the patient get the $ from the insurance company. Anyway, I had looked into Lutrell but my primary doctor said no & recommended Backer instead. I have not done any fruther research for fear of "rejection" so to speak. I guess I'm here for info and support. Thanks for listening if you got this far.

Suzzzie: Did you get an actual approval letter or code from BC/BS Federal? This is what has held me back...at the surgeon's seminar...they flat out said they would not accept BC/BS Federal although they are participating, they wanted cash up front b/c insurance will not give pre-approval letters & claims are being denied. This is what has me so discouraged that I just stopped looking into lap-band. DH brought it up again tonight after we saw a commercial...anyway, I've called insurance about 5 times & no body knows what the hell they are talking about...they just read word for word what I read & that it is covered. Tell me how you got an approval please! SG: How are you feeling? Congrats on the loss so far--you are on the losing side! :drum: dotofoz: You last posted on the 11th about those size 14s...I bet they fit now. Congrats on your loss--you must feel & look fantastic!

soulful Grandma: Thanks for thinking of me! Actually, I'm still sitting here & have done nothing. I haven't called BC/BS back yet nor have I contacted other surgeons in my area. Since tomorrow is Friday, I will make it a resolution to get make progress starting Monday before the holiday. You are almost there--just a few days! I wish you well & anxious to hear from you when you're feeling up to it. ouachita: Thanks for the luck--hopefully I can find out something positive soon!

Congratulations! Thanks for coming back & updating. Do you know if BCBS actually gave an approval number? I've been sitting on it & haven't made anymore phone calls or even gone back to my referring physician yet.

I'm discouraged already and haven't even begun the process. I attended the seminar last night but was told that the surgeon refuses BC/BS Federal (group 105) as they do say that they cover banding but will not giver prior authorization or approval...just get it done then send in the claims...apparently, when that is done, BC/BS is not paying! I'm so disappointed. Anyone with this plan have same problem? I cannot afford to self-pay at this time. TIA!

Interested to hear if you've gotten through BCBS yet. I just attended lap band seminar tonight for Little Rock Dr. Wellborn and they refuse to accept BC/BS Federal plan b/c they will not offer pre-auth or pre-approvals. They suggest I pay out of pocket then get reim later. I cannot afford to do that or risk going into further debt. I'm considering traveling to get banded. BMI 46 with no co-morbidities and no wls exclusion in medical plan.

THODIE55: 6 WEEKS or 6 MONTHS of diet? I have BC/BS Federal also & I'm told they cover WLS but none of the reps knew anything about steps to getting an approval. Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome & support. At my weight, surprisingly, I do not have any other health problems besides the PCOS and/or insulin resistance. I don't look or feel healthy & with diabetes & high blood pressure on both sides of my family, I feel that I must do something fast before it catches up to me. Oceanspirit: I was dx in 2000 after trying to get pregnant. I found a doctor who was willing to treat me for infertility despite my weight & I'm now a mother of 2 beautiful boys. But...the weight issue remains. Where in KY are you? My in-laws live in KY. Thanks again to everyone who replied to this thread although I feel like I'm "piggy-backing" Oceanspirit.

Oceanspirit, I am also new here and trying to decide to band or not. I am attending the info seminar next week. I'm 31, 5'6", 290 lbs & also have PCOS. I've been big all my life really. Where are you located? Good luck with your decision--I've been on here nightly for a week or more reading post after post. Perhaps the seminar will answer every possible question.

singdeborah & bhabydoll: I also have Fed BCBS plan 105. I have made 2 phone calls though & cannot get a person who knows ANYTHING about getting lap band approved. Both reps from BCBS just read word for word what is written in the handbook. Page 48 they keep repeating to me. Page 48 just says that it is covered, I want/need to know if I have to have a diet diary of like 6 months or more or a psych eval or any of the sort. I have not met with a surgeon yet--I'm just attending the seminar next week but have a packet of info that needs to be completed & these questions are in the packet. I'm nervous yet excited that this may be easier than I thought (insurance approval) but afraid that there is "more to the story" and the handbook just doesn't cover any of that info. ??? Good luck to everyone begining this process--may it be short & sweet!

I've also been referred to Dr. Wellborn. I'm attending the seminar next week. I'm nervous...but excited also. I'm not even sure I will get approved by insurance yet.