CATHY1102

HI; I am wondering if this has happened to anyone else, and if so, what was the out come. I have BCBS of Illinois. I work so diligently, to provide the insurance company with all requested information. I finally got the approval letter from the which specifically named, using the CPT codes for the Lap band procedure..approving it. I do not know if someone up there messed up or what..but that is really not my problem. I was so happy to get approved I cried. I had waited 2yrs. So, I had my surgery 7/5/2007. BCBS has not yet paid. My doctors office received a call last week saying that they were not going to pay for it!! I could have NEVER afforded this by myself. We have a copy of the approval letter, and also the persons name that gave the verbal approval over the phone to my Dr when they gave them the surgery date. We are writing to the Comissioner of Insurance. Does anyone know anything about this? I am worried sick. thanks.

thank you both!! I will definitely contact HR..and an attorney if I have too.

My surgery date was 07/05/2007. I had lost about 40 lbs before christmas...then during the holidays I found myself eating everything that I was not suppose to. I did not get full either. My 2nd band adjustment had been done in October and I missed the one in December..partly because I knew I had been bad... So, I went for the 3rd adjustment about 1 1/2 weeks ago. THIS TIME...well, now I really have to chew chew chew, sometimes the food hurts when it goes down, until it passes ( I guess) and I espicially notice in the mornings if I eat something to greasy or spicy...I vomit!! THIS has never been like that. Although I am glad it is boosting my wt loss...DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE?? I HAVE MY FEELINGS THAT IT IS FINALLY ADJUSTED RIGHT...BUT WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS... I AM EATING MAYBE ONLY A CUP FULL OF FOOD AT A TIME AND OF COURSE MY VITAMINS AND PROTEIN SHAKE. thanks so much CATHY

Thank you guys so much, that really makes me feel much better! I am looking forward to dropping more wt!!

oh..darn!! well, do you have a "nutrition store"? A shop that sells Vitamins and such? They should have some kind of Protein whey powder. Vanilla is the best cause you can flavor it any flavor. Crystal Light is a soft drink mix sweetened with SPLENDA...it comes in different fruit flavors...do you all have KOOLAID? its kind of the same just with no sugar.. Progresso soup is just a brand of canned soup at the grocery store that tastes homemade. sorry I did not know you were in the UK...I am sure you all have similiar things, just different brands.

I have become a soup eater! Even the cream soups. I have found that Progresso soups are really good. I also found EAS vanilla protein powder ( a big bag that has lasted me 3 months) was only 28.00 at costco. I mix 1 cup skim or 1% milk, 2 1/2 to 3 scoops of protein powder, some crystal light fruit punch flavor, or other flavor, 3-4 ice cubes and blend. It really tastes good. Hope this helps.

Hi There; I Was Told To Get "champion" Powdered Whey Protein. Found That At The Vitamin Shoppe. When I Ran Out I Couldn'tr Get To The Vitamin Shoppe And I Ended Up Trying "twin Labs" Vanilla Whey Protein, Which Was Not Bad..less Sweet Than The Champion Brand, Which I Liked. I Found That If You Get The Vanilla, You Can Make Chocolate ( Nestles Quick With Nutrasweet) Or Other Flavors. You Must Get About 70 Gms Of Protein A Day. That Is What Keeps You From Being Hungry. You Really Have To Pay Attention To The Protein Content On The Suppossed "protein Shakes And Bars" Some Of Them Only Have Like 10 Gms Of Protein. Hope This Helps.

THIS SITE IS SO COMFORTING, TO KNOW THAT OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SIMILAR THINGS. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY I MAY BE HAVING NAUSEA? I HAD MY FIRST FILL 1 WK AGO. THE FIRST FEW DAYS, I DID THE liquids, AND THEN SOFT food. ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO, I BEGAN TO FEEL REALLY NAUSEATED, MOSTLY IN THE MORNINGS AND AROUND BEDTIME ( NOT PREGNANT..LOL..) I DO NOT THINK I AM EATING ANYTHING WRONG. IF I CHEW A TUMS IT HELPS. ANY IDEAS, OR EXPERIENCES? THANKS!!:hungry: SURGERY DATE 7/5/07.....LOST 32LBS SO FAR!!

I am trying for the 2nd time to get approval from bcbs illinois..for the lapband procedure. The last time, they said I needed 1 yr of documented medically supervised wt loss attemps, and more co-morbidites. I am now another yr of high blood pressure, ..I tried to do the wt loss for a yr..but failed.( ONLY DID 4 MONTHS) I got THOSE records, got a cardiologist to do tests on me, which show damage from PHEN-PHEN, got a letter from him and from my Orthopaedic surgeon, saying has I would benefit from the surgery, because of my severe arthritis and risk factors for cardiac disease, Listed everything possible I have wrong with me, weight related...and now I am waiting to hear. My question.....DOES ANYONE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH BCBS OF ILLINOIS? HAS ANYONE BEEN APPROVED?? I ANXIOUSLY AWAIT. THANKS!!

Thank you both for taking the time to reply!! Actually, the surgeons office sent my paperwork up to BCBS 2 weeks ago..and I can't believe it, but I GOT APPROVED!! I Was so happy I cried. Thats step 1!! Surgery date is July 5th!!!

Thank you for taking the time to reply!! Actually, the surgeons office sent my paperwork up to BCBS 2 weeks ago..and I can't believe it, but I GOT APPROVED!! I WAS

Andrea; I am in the process of an appeal to my insurance company, I thought of paying one of those attorneys to help me and then when I found out that I can attempt to do the same thing myself I am. In this process I found out that you can contact the state that your insurance is out of ( like I live in VA, but my insurance is BCBS of Illnois.) so I am filing an appeal/complaint with them. Look under the Dept of Insurance for the state of your insurance. They have a liason person that you can get help from. Good luck to you, I am also beginning this battle. cathy

Hello everyone...anyone...lol...: Has anyone used, or know of anybody that used the OBESITYLAW.COM for an appeal to their insurance company? thanks!

http://www.inova.org/inovapublic.srt/ifoh/index.jsp I was referred to this hospital/Dr by another lapband member here. They highly recommended them. Good Luck!! I am in Newport news, so its kind of far for me, and Dr Terracina in my area is suppose to be good. If I ever get approved.

Hi everyone; I am working on plan B ..since I was turned down by BCBS Illinois. I was wondering, has anyone maybe found a private insurance that is ok with pre-existing conditions, that might cover Lap band?..just a thought..grasping here.... thanks cathy BMI 52 wt 333 lbs... goal 160 lbs trying and waiting.....

Thank You So Much For Your Well Wishes, Teresa And Christina! I Wish You All The Best Too! I Wish I Had The Money To Self Pay. Thanks Christi; I Definitely Will Try To Find Out About United Health Care. Good Luck With Your Surgery!! Keep Me Posted. Cathy

I have been awaiting approval from BCBS Illinois, for about 5 weeks. I found out today that I was turned down, because I do not have a documented full year of going to a physician for weight loss. I am so disappointed. I was on Phen-Phen yrs ago for about 6 months, was told that was too old....I have been on every diet since that time, that anyone can imagine..including hypnosis! I am sure many of you can relate. I have only just recently ( 2 months) been diagnosed with hypertension. I have had a hip replacement, and was told I may need another one and also a knee replacement...needless to say it is hard to excercise with 100 lbs of extra weight. Anyways, I felt like I need to write and get this off my chest...DOES any knowlegeable person have any advice for me? Thanks for your time. Cathy newport news va

tHANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I AM DEFINITELY CHECK IN TO SOME OF THESE THINGS. YOU ARE RIGHT MANDY, I DIDN'T THINK THAT MAYBE THERE MAYBE A "LOOP HOLE" I CAN USE LIKE COMBINING WEIGHT LOSS VISITS TOGETHER TO EQUAL 12 MONTHS. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO READ THERE CRITERIA CLOSELY. I HAVE ALSO THOUGHT TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT INSURANCES WILL NOT HASSLE YOU AS MUCH, AND SWITCH..I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT CAN BE DONE, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP, THATS FOR SURE. IF LATER IN MY JOURNEY THRU THIS, MY EXPERIENCES CAN HELP SOMEONE ELSE, THAT IS GOOD TOO. I AM ALSO GOING TO CHECK OUT THE DR IN FAIRFAX, BECAUSE LIKE TERESA SAYS, SOMETIMES THE PAPERWORK THEY SEND CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THANKS TO ALL. I WILL KEEP THIS SITE POSTED. CATHY

HI Beth; Oh I am so sorry. That is what I am afraid of. I have been on every diet, including the dangerous drug Phenfen, and been to so many diet places, but never documented for a yr. I think that is so ridiculous. If you fail with dieting, most people do not try for a whole yr. I wish you all the best. And I am still waiting and praying. thank you. cathy

Does anyone have / had BC/BS PPO ILLINOIS? I AM AWAITING APPROVAL TOO. THANKS. CATHY HOPEFULLY DR TERRACINA NEWPORT NEWS VA

HI everyone; I am still in the waiting process..my paperwork was sent to my insurance company BCBS PPO, on August 2nd...I am praying I will get approved. I was wondering...why do alot of people go to Mexico? Is it cheaper or something? I would value anyones input........... how long did the insurance approval take..anyone else have BCBS PPO? cathy

Hi Starr; thanks for replying. I was also told 2 weeks. AND, I am like you..no patience..lol...I hate the waiting and wondering. I wish you luck! keep me posted. I am in Virginia...Dr Anthony Terracina..Newport news...he just came here from Florida last yr...they have only done 20 patients here for Lap band..I am told everyone is doing good though. Let's keep in touch! cathy

Hi Everyone! I Stumbled On To This Website In Hopes To Be As Educated About My Decision To Under Lap Band As Possible. I Have Just Begun My Journey. I Am So Apprehensive. I Have Had The Psychological Eval, ( Passed!..lol..) I Am Awaiting Approval From Bc/bs Ppo. When I Called They Said That My Policy Has The Rider And So I Am Praying That I Am Approved. Can Anyone Tell Me How Long This Whole Process Is Before You Can Have The Surgery? Thanks To All Who Have Written Post Op, That Helps Me Know What To Expect Too. Cathy