pippinje

Thank you both. Sounds like a good place to start. I will try both of those!

So I made my appointment today for the nutrisionist counseling and I go tomorrow. I will let you know how that goes. I called my current insurance company (who doesn't cover lap bad) and asked if they would cover the psych evaluation and OF COARSE they said no. So I need to make another call to my psych's office to see what their fee is for the testing and decide if I want to go ahead and pay out of pocket for the testing so I have all my ducks in a row when my new insurance kicks in on 01-01-08. I also called the new insurance company (effec 01-01-08) and re-confirmed that the lap band procedure is covered and that the only things I need is the nutritionist counseling, psych eval and a letter from my physician stating all the diets that I have tried and failed. I have been a busy little bee today! keep you posted on my journey!

Has anyone seen a site that has samples for Protein drinks? I am going to be banded in Jan. and want to sample and find those that I really like before I spend a load of money on them.

Thanks newimage! That makes me feel good. I know I will feel even better after going to the meeting with Dr. C.

yummie, Get you a good support system. If you don't have it at home and with family, look in your area for local lap band support groups and meet with people just like you. Maybe you can make a friend who will continue the journey with you. Maybe going to a counselor wouldn't be so bad either. I do and she helps me make the best out of a bad situation.

My husband has a friend who had stomach problems which caused him to gain weight. Maybe she needs to see a gastrointestinal doc to have some tests run. I am in no way a physician, this is just my personal opinion.

wrestlersmom, I really haven't gotten started yet. I have only gotten my first consult. My surgeon has several clinics several times a month that you can go to meet him and learn about the procedure so I don' t see why anyone would deny a patient to see them.

I think the insurance company HAS to have a decision within 30 days, so 30 days woul dbe the max. But like you said, depends on your insurance co.

No one knows Dr C?

Thanks for the link Wasa!

Sounds like this may go pretty smoothly.

Thanks everyone. Good luck on setting that date jelbel!

I feel mine will go pretty quickly with my doc after insurance approval.

Someone posted something on here about a plateau buster that they used. If I run across it again, I will linnk it. Anyone remember where it was?

Well keep me posted about your new journey and I will do the same!

Are you serious Jelbel? I hope it goes that quickly for me! I am definatley excited about getting this done. I don't want to wait!

I just got my scrips today for the nutritionist and the psych eval. Going to get on the phone first thing Monday morning to schedule them!

Oh so it wasn't a letter from your doctor...it was just a letter from you. Maybe I need to look into it a letter more. Keep me posted! I just got my scrips today for the nutritionist and the psych eval. Going to get on the phone first thing Monday morning to schedule them!:bounce:

I am going to have my LB done by Dr. Cribbins. Anyone have any feedback?

Caramel, I will be signing up for Empire BCBS ( my company is currently having open enrollement and the carrier I currently have does not cover lap band) and had my first consult today. They pretty much said what you did. Letter from primary doc, nutritionist consult, BMI or 40 or greater or BMI 35-39.9 and one or more co morb, psych eval and the failed diet attempts. What did you submit as proof of your failed diet attempts? Let me know if you are approved! The office is going to start getting my psych eval and nutrisionist counseling scheduled and done as well as the letters needed as proof so come Jan. 1 I will be ready to roll with submitting to BCBS.

Well, I got alot of questions answered for me today in my first consult with the office. My surgeon is going to be Dr. Cribbins (SP?) Anyone have any info on him? Found out that my insurance covers and req BMI of 40 or 35-40 with one co-morb. All we will need is a pysch eval, nutritionist counseling and a letter from my physician stating all the diets that I have tried and failed (that will be one long list). Anyway, they are going to get started first thing tomorrow on scheduling all of these things to get ready to submit to my insurance company. The only bummer is that my current insurance does not cover Lap Band and I will have to wait until Jan. to submit all the paperwork to BCBS when my new policy becomes effective. Atleast I will have everything in hand and ready on Jan. 1!!!! :whoo: I will keep you posted as I know more.

Just wanted to send a shout out to everyone! New to the group. I have my first consult tomorrow and both myself and my husband are considering Lap-Band. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this is a smooth journey.

:ranger: I would like to know this as well. If anyone has Empire BCBS please let me know what their requirements were. Thanks!