Time to love me

Has anyone used BC/BS of Massachusetts insurance for surgery? If so, How was your experience? What were the requirements for you? I called and I'm told that all I needed was a doctor's letter, having a bmi between 35-40 with a co-morbid disease or being 100 pounds over weight. I'm just curious now because I see so many logs of people who call the insurance company and they are told all the same info., only to be denied when you apply. Thank you, in advance, for any input.

I just wanted everyone to know that the Dr., who does the lapband surgery, emailed me and informed me that he does not see any issues with the lapband and the intrathecal pump both being implanted. He did say, however, that some doctors will not do the surgery because they don't want to "deal" with the pump or any issues that may arise with it. He also mentioned that I should get a bracelet to make sure there is no confusion on which is the lapband and which is the pump. Kimber.. mentioned that already.

Again, thank you. I will make sure I get some sort of bracelet, like you suggested. You have been more helpful than the nurse I spoke to last week.

Thank you so much for all your info.! It is medtronics and you are very right about the port fill with the mouse. I thought it was electronic because of the mouse and the little computer the Dr. used. Now that I think about it... the port is ran on batteries. I remember the Dr. telling me it would beep if I was low on meds. You really made my night! I was so discouraged and reluctant to have the pump installed. I would have rather suffer in pain than be unhealthy and over weight for the rest of my life. Best of luck to you and thank you again, you really helped me out.

Kimber-Lilly, Thank you for your input. I just got the pump implanted 3 weeks ago. I should not be embarrassed to ask the pump Dr. but I am. I have to tell him some time, after all, I do need to get a refill of the medicine every 3 months. I'm not clear on how the lapband has fills. I know with the pain pump we need to inject medicine into the port. I thought maybe the devices could cross frequency or something crazy like that. I posted a long time ago on another site and I got a reply that the lapband could not be done if I had the pump but there was no reason given and I was never responded to again. Thanks again!

I had a pain pump (intrathecal drug delivery) implanted. It's on my right side in the pereneal area. It's the size of a hockey puck and has a port that the medicine is delivered by injection every 3 months. Does anyone else have one of these pumps or knows someone with this pump that went ahead and had the lapband done? I just don't want to go to the pre-meetings and nutritionist and psych. appts. if it's not even an option. I'll be just waisting the Doctors time, my time and I'll be pushing back someone who has been waiting. Thank you, in advance ~ K ~