meg1778

I paid the program fee of $1000 at Dr. Simpsons office several years ago... then insurance denied me... they wouldn't refund the program fee. I did not have surgery with Dr. Simpson when my insurance finally did approve me this year.

Hi Nicole! My name is Nicole O. and I live in the Laveen area as well. I'm still doing my 90 pre-qualification diet and I hope to submit my request for approval the week of February 6th. I plan to attend some support meetings at Bridges (the distance from support is actually why I didn't go with Dr. Schuster), but perhaps we can support one another locally. We can meet at Chavez park and walk around the lake or (if you have a membership) we could meet at LA Fitness for a workout.

I'm looking at going with Dr. Fang, I have my consult with him next Thursday. Now that you are a few months out are you still happy with Dr. Fang and your results?

I've been researching a bit and think I'm going to go with Dr. Fang at Bridges. While I liked the program at Banner Gateway its too far from my home and office for regular office visits and support meetings. Dr. Fang hasn't performed a lot of this type of surgery though, but his outcomes for all the surgeries (lb/rny/vsg) he has performed are good.

As I mentioned Aetna would definately DENY, UHC could be different of course. The first time I tried to get surgery approved I hadn't been at 40 long enough. I'm still concerned that they won't approve it this time either becasue while I have an average BMI of 41 for the past 4 years... there were times when it was lower than 40... have to wait and see.

I've only recently started researching the sleeve, it was not previously covered by my Aetna PPO, so now I'm trying to find a good surgeon in Phoenix. Hopefully as my journey progresses I'll have happy results to share.

Keep us posted! I'm in Arizona too and Aetna denied me when I tried to get surgery approved several years ago because while I was on WW my BMI dropped below 40. I still haven't developed any co-morbidities. I am again trying to get surgery approved, but again have a period of time where my BMI dropped below 40. I'm hoping I can work with my doctor to exclude some of my weigh-in's. For over 5 years now, my BMI has bounced between 38 and 43... As a few others I have mentioned I don't feel like its fraud. My BMI has averaged about 41 over the last 5 years, it just periodically drops lower on one of my many failed attempts at weight loss.

Open Enrollment is coming in my office and I need to choose between the Aetna HMO and PPO. Does anyone have experience with either insurance? How hard is it to get approved on either of these plans? Also, I can't find any information on wether or not Flex Spending dollars can be used toward the surgery. If I can't get approved I can private pay, but I would love to use Flex Spending funds to avoid incurring more debt. Thanks, Meg

According to LapBand.com, Dr. Simpson and Dr. Robin Blackstone in Scottsdale are the only two surgeons in the Phoenix area that performed over 75 Lap Band procedures last year. Dr. Blackstone charges about 17500 according to her website. Dr. Nirmul at True Results was trained by Dr. Simpson and has assisted on a lot of surgeries, but doesn't seem to have done too many on his own without help; that makes me nervous. I am curious about Dr. Debarros, but his website doesn't say how much he charges. Does anyone know I'm just starting out on this journey, but for now Dr. Simpson is my guy.

Here in Arizona there are at least two doctors offering the procedure for $16000 self pay. That $16000 includes lab work, the procedure and the first year of fills. Call a few doctors in your area and see what they offer.