4jin

Ellisa it couldn't be said any better about the feelings when a person apologizes. I too called the insurance to make sure lap band was a covered procedure in my employer insurance policy. It turns out it is. The customer service rep gave me the additional specified requirements/criteria they use in order for it to be covered under my employer's policy. They cover 100% copays are $15 and deductible is $300..

we're not worthy....we're not worthy!! what nutrition and exercise plan did you follow to get to goal in 10 months? WOW......:speechles:clap2:

Congrats Ellisa! I have BCBS of Georgia....I am still in the first section of the beg of the battle. I have my 1st surgeon consult next week and the following week the psych eval and the mandatory support group meeting. I can't wait to get this submitted! I called BCBS of GA today and the representative I spoke with was excellent...so great she told me she even had RNY herself and lost 215 lbs! She gave me lots of information on how to attempt for a first time approval with BCBS.

Yep I say the same insurance first! I called my insurance first and they covered is what I was told under my primary insurance for all bariatric fda approved treatments and surgical procedures/follow-ups..and surprisingly my secondary does not! then I scheduled the informational seminar. At the info seminar they gave me specific questions to call back the insurance co about. Which the doctor office calls but they want to make sure you have done some homework and made sure it is not excluded from your insurance policy. Like the doctor's office wanted to know co-pay amnts, deductible amounts and what percentage is covered. If you go and schedule the info seminar you and your insurance excludes bariatric surgery you waisted your time and theirs and took a spot someone else could have taken unless you can right then and there say you have funds for self-pay..

Crossing our fingers for you! Congrats....!!!

lol! i'll be doing the same

I say change doctors too!!!

hs beach, Maybe her reaction was biased based on the sucess rates of all the previous dieting experiences. I would explain to her the risks..the advantages and the disadvantages...what changes you have to make...and involve her in the whole process.... that way she can be the kind of support we all need...the emotional, the physical for exercise motivation and the everyday hey...that outfit looks good type of support. Once she see's all that is involved and that it is NOT the easy way out... I am sure she will be by your side 110%....and who knows it might even help her begin to make better choices for the whole family...

Applesmith1226 Hey..there.... I completely understand you not wanting to wait the 6 months. As far as I know AETNA does require a 6 month medically supervised diet. Just check out the requirements for you new insurance Amerihealth. What I did was get the group number from my HR and called the new insurance carrier and with the group id number they were able to give me the requirements. Now it turns out my employer will be carrying both insurance plans which is great because I want to stay with BCBS as they are better to work with than AETNA. My BMI is 41 almost 42...I have no comorbidities but have done medically supervised programs that I have paid on my own as part of a I want to I need to do this on my own type of thing. I am sorry to hear you have been unable to have children. Having the lapband and loosing the weight hopefully will allow you to become pregnant. I went to a second informational seminar as I did not feel comfortable at the first one I went to. This one is the one! I absolutely loved this surgeon and he even made the comment of go get on birth control now if you are ovulating because he absolutely does not want anyone pregnant until reaching or close enought to goal. Healthier pregnancy and you don't loose your WL momentum.

I am glad you showed them who won the war!!!!! now pay up insurance!!!!

nice!! excellent explanation.

Hi wannabhealthy, I too am on my journey to being banded. You are 2 steps ahead. I have my first consultation appointment. I have been reading all throughout this site it is excellent. I have gotten lots of information here that when I asked a couple of questions the surgeon at the informational seminar was very impressed. Hopefully we can keep share our journeys to being banded!

Hello everyone! I am starting this thread because as I sit back and think back to the beginning of this year january 2007. I began a medically supervised diet. It took 3 months for results to begin showing. Once they did all kind of people starting wanting to know what are you doing...what diet, what exercise, what pills...etc...etc..etc. After the 45 lbs lost mark....I started getting snickers from some women at work....more male attention than I even wanted to have since I am married.... Next I know it is November and I have gained all the weight plus 10 lbs. I began looking into WLS. Found lapband...and went to the seminar I am waiting to get scheduled for my first consultation. But in the back of my mind I can't help but think that emotionally although this is what I want to be healthy a live I don't know if I am ready mentally. The snickering from other women, the whatever I don't like you look, the move over b*tc* look.....I don't need. I guess I have not been thin enough long enough in my life to learn how to handle these situations/get used to the feeling. I'm I the only 1? :help:

why do you have so many dietician/nutritionist appt's?

<p>This question was asked at the informational seminar This is what my doctor's response was Besides genes or lipo or TT or any kind of surgery it's kind of like asking for the magic WL pill he said...let him know when you find it!

Hi candy! good luck on your surgery I am not yet banded... I am in the beginning process if all goes well I pray to be banded by march 2008 by Dr. Johnson. :clap2:

Talyn congratulations....I am happy to hear your experience was so pleasant. I too only pray mine to be just as good. Hopefully I can cut my time to just 3 months ...but whatever it takes as long is it is done right! thanks for your inspirational story keep us updated!

nothing to do with any of the threads previously posted here. Just need to vent... I guess people take offense on some threads when an educated answer is given. I only offered the advise as I did go to college for 4 years to major on the subject..

I am employed in the accounting field. I love TAX TALK!! Boring or yuck!! I get one of those reactions everytime...but what can I say I am a number's geek. You have been given excellent information. You must itemize to get the deduction You can deduct only the amount of your medical and dental expenses that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (Form 1040, line 38). IRS has guidelines for a structure of determine what medical expenses are allowed. I too suggest it most always works best when taken in the year paid but is always subject to individual tax situations based on your AGI on your tax return before taking your exemptions. Only your tax professional which in this situation I would definitely recommend a CPA who has background expertise in medical/self employed small companies to handle your tax preparation. I highly recommend to consult with your accountant/tax professional once you have your costs itemized by your surgeon, so he/she can guide you in the right direction based on your current situation. Don't forget all other family medical expenses for the year can be included. The best advice you can be given as others stated just ask your accountant or consult one for free! Many people make the error of going to any person/business or even preparing your own-to get their taxes done and this in many instances is costing people to lose potential deductions of an average of $1,000 loss of refund over a couple of years of tax returns. Example: You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss activities. Such as personal trainers/nutrionist/dietician fees. Here is a link to the IRS that has a bit more information: Publication 502 (2006), Medical and Dental Expenses

lwood, Are you able to come to the states? My surgeon's bill would be between $9,000 to $12,000 only......he gives a $2,500 discount to self-pay patients. Let me know if you want his info. Just PM me.

:paranoid:paranoid:rain: OK....has anyone gone thru this? I have been doing my research...I am still in the beginning process of this ordeal. To make a long story short I am starting over tommorrow I am going to the required WLS seminar. In the meantime...I have been calling all the doctors I have been seen by within the last 10 years.... I am trying to gather as much weight history as possible... anywho... I made a list and call all of them last week. All but 1 I had to leave messages. The 1 I was informed of a fee for records...I paid $11.23 and receive the records in the mail 2 days later..life was great... I did not even get a call back from the rest...so Monday I decided to type up a letter and make the request written ...so I faxed to all doctors on Monday...I got a call from another one no fee will be faxing I should receive in next couple of days... But this morning ...got a call from a gynecologist who wants almost $40.00....say what!!!the crapp..... wuuusssaaaa!!! I said that is bananas..... I explained the situation...she said would call me back..... I refuse to have to pay that much... I understand the fee process..but that amount is ludacris to me! Anyone else go thru this?:help:

How soon after getting banded :bandit were you able to climb up stairs? My home has three floors. By necessity I would have to climb up a flight of about 12 steps to get to my bedroom. How soon will I be able to do this or will I have to sleep in the family room?:omg:

thanks loser28 So I guess I'll have to start the thought of sleeping in the family room for a couple of days....LOL Kicking my husband and kids out so I can get some R&R is going to be a more difficult task!!:phanvan

I use Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople If anyone joins please use me as referral my user there is 4jin02 It is a free service...kind of like the weight watchers online...has diet program, track calories, track exercise, has talk forums, threads, exercise groups...etc...inspiration stories, ideas, recipes... and on...and on...it is great and don't forget FREE.

awesome job!!!! that is over 100lbs...you are it girl!! :whoo::clap2: What diet and exercise schedule were you following... when I am banded I want to be just like you!!!