carlak

Hi once again I am turning to ya'll for advise. I began the journey for lapband in July 2012. I met with a doctor who has a very nice staff, but although the doc was nice and has a good track record his bedside personality was not the best and he overloaded me with information and I left totally overwhelmed. During the consult I was "sold" lapband and plication. They told me upfront that plication was non insurance covered and I would pay an additional fee of $750, I agreed. All my life ive been a chunky monkey. The office submitted my paperwork and I was denied. I wasn't "fat enough" they appealed it once and once again I was denied. They informed me that they had done all they could. I took the bull by the horns and have written letters, made phone calls, talked to people...long story made short on Valentines day I was given a verbal approval!! (still waiting for approval letter). Meanwhile ive talked to a ton of people who have told me about dr #2. I must say that everytime I call his office I get a real person on the first ring. Dr #2 staff said with my insurance I wouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket and couldn't understand why dr #1 said that....anyway I asked if they do plication and was told I would need to attend a seminar, Ok I could do that. What I am scared of though is will that mess up my approval??? I DO NOT want to go through all that again. Should I just go with dr #1 and just do lap band or should I see dr #2 and then make the final decision?? Please yall I need help!!!!

Are all doctors "on hold" for plication??

I am so getting excited. I should have my approval letter in the mail any day now. EGD on the 28th. Looking for meal ideas post band

during my initial consult my doc recommended plication. Now that I am approved the doctor is no longer doing plication. Should I choose another surgeon????

Worried. Will my skin tighten up? any thing I can do pre op to help my skin for when I lose my weight?

Ive struggled with Tricare but finally won!

getting ready...advise on protein shakes ??

I specifically asked Tricare. I was told if you have an authorization in writing you are protected by that and as long as all providers are in network there should be no problems. Don't give up

So darn happy. I am still so excited. I cant wait to be a loser. If any of ya'll have any preop advise please feel free to share.

Correction ya'll I have only TWO kids

Are you guys have in just a lap band or the lap band and plication

Also I am blessed and still have five children they say are truly my biggest cheerleader. My oldest son has diabetes and that's a very hard monster to control. My boys were so happy for me that they both came and took me to lunch today with absolutely meant the world to me. I am very very ready to start my journey my Journey. I journey that is fully supported by my family. I feel like one lucky lady

Good Night ya'll. Since August 6 every night as I tried to sleep ideas about appeals would race my head. Not tonight. Bye Bye Food Monsters.

Hang in there!! Don't give up or question your decision. If it helps, in 1991 I had a tummy tuck, after losing a lot of weight on Phen fen....the rest is history and I am working towards a lap band. Im so mad at myself. I looked good, knew it and took advantage of the "high" I had, and got lazy with food choices etc. I have had to fight tooh and nail to get my insurance to approve this. My dad always told me its only a mistake if you don't learn from it! March on soldier...you got this!! Keep us posted. This is a WONDEFUL web site. Just wish I could navigate it better

Newbie I don't know how to reply to this just to you. I am 5 ft 198 . I am no longer ashamed to say this. Its getting ready to CHANGE!!!!! do you have Tricare too?

thank you guys!!

Oh my Gosh!! What a Valentines present!! As many of you know I have been trying since mid July to get an approval for lap band. I have been denied many times. Never in my life have I been accused of not being fat enough! Lonely, sad and depressed, I turned to this site and made the announcement that I was giving up. My messenger started blowing up with support that I must keep fighting for what I believed. I did. After a million of letters, calls and pleas I got the official, unofficial (verbal) approval today !!! I am so darn excited!! I cant wait to start my journey. To each and every one of you I say THANK YOU !!! especially to Carolina girl, you have been so encouraging to me. I will certainly keep all of you posted. My surgeons office said that as soon as I get my hard copy approval we can start the process. I am excited and scared all at the same time. Hugs to all my "lap friends"

Pat Mac how are u today?

the calming juice is called versed

Good luck!! I cant wait til I get to post on here that tomorrow is my day!!

I am trying hard to get banded

this scares me since I am trying to have my lapband approved with Tricare. Are you prime or standard? Have u called them?

What kind of insurance did this to you?

I am 48 and trying to get banded. Please share your experience

Ok another road block! Ive been trying to get Tricare approval since August. I finally feel like I have a chance of an approval. Today I called my surgeons office only to be told that the hospital is on a hiatus (due to paperwork???) an they are only doing lapband WITHOUT plication. I am confused. I was told by the same office initially that I needed both, now after reading a researching I want both. No one could tell me how long this paperwork hiatus would take. Im afraid if I don't get it done ASAP after approval (hoping) that with all the insurance cuts I may never get it. Any advise is appreciated.