Just_A_Girl

Hey everyone, I live in Lufkin Texas and I will be submitting all of my information to BCBS (I work for the school district) and waiting for approval. I hope to have my surgery over Christmas break so that I will have time off to recover without missing time off of work. Does anyone out there have this insurance? I was told that it paid if the procedure is medically necessary. I also wanted to know if anyone used Dr. Hambrick or Dr. Meyers in Lufkin Texas. This is who I am thinking of using, but I can't find anyone who has used them for the LapBand. Just wanted a little feedback. I would also love to talk to someone out there from my area for support. I need it bad. I am a single parent of four young children and no family around. I work full time and go to school full time as well. Just looking for someone to talk with and maybe for a little encouragment. Thanks!

Okay, I had surgery on December 18th. I had just started my new job in August at a primary school. During orientation I realized that I knew one of the ladies that was also going through orientation too. Thank goodness, I felt more comfortable that I knew someone. I didn't know her very well but she used to work at my OBGYN's office and I used to work at a nearby doctor's office too and we used to talk at each visit (and I went weekly the whole time ... complicated pregnancy ... on top of that I was having twins!). Well, I confided in her and told her that I was planning on having the surgery. She kept my secret and it felt good knowing I had someone to tell and let out all of my mixed emotions about the surgery. Since I had just started I didn't want to tell everyone because I really didn't know them. As I lost weight I planned on telling everyone ... I guess I just wanted to be somewhat successful first. If I bombed I didn't want everyone knowing! Well today is my first day back. The principal told me that she thinks my friend told everyone!! (I went ahead and told principal that I was having it because of my time off so early in my job) I was upset!! About five minutes after I walk into the cafeteria I am approached by a very gossipy coworker, "How did you lose all that weight, what did you have gastric bypass?" I told her I hadn't lost any weight and yes I did have surgery but not the gastric bypass. I have only lost 15 pounds and 10 of that was during pre-op diet ... so really so far I haven't done anything! I was pissed off!!! And then everywhere I have been today people are looking at my stomach. It is just a quick glance but I notice it. When I walked into the library (just now) everyone was sitting at a table eating (teachers eat here somtimes to get time away from students) and as I entered the door everyone looked at my stomach and asked how I was doing! I am just so pissed off. I know everyone knows. I don't like this feeling. I feel like I want to quit! What should I do?? I really don't want to approach this friend. I hate to have hostile feelings with people at work ... I don't want to get into it with anyone ... I don't like confrontation(sp). I just want to be happy at work and feel comfortable. I really don't want everyone watching every move I make and staring me to see how much weight I have lost ... especially since I am not off to a running start. Sorry this post is so long ... but I am seriously pissed off!!

Hey everyone ... I just got my date ... finally. It is December 18!!! I was hoping for the 21 so I wouldn't have to take off of work (School's break starts on the 21) ... but it looks like I will have to take off a few days. I am sure it will all be worth it. ADD ME TO THE LIST!!! I see I am not alone on this date! Thank goodness because I need someone to walk with through this journey. Alisha

Approved!!!! OMG!! I just called BCBS just to check on the status (eventhough I knew it was just submitted Monday ... I am so silly) and she said I had been approved Thursday!! I am in complete shock. They faxed the info Monday and I was approved on Thursday!!!!!!!! The representative was shocked ... she said it usually takes atleast 2-3 weeks ... she said she had never seen it go through that fast! Okay ... now I am scared!!!!!!

Congrats Kimmi!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you!! (and jealous ... lol) I call the surgeon's office today and they told me they submitted my information yesterday the 26th. So now I am as nervous as ever!! Anyway, I live in Lufkin which is about 1-1/2 hours north of Houston! I would love to have my approval and set my surgery date for over Christmas break since I work for a school district and will already be off. Maybe I will have a couple of weeks to recover and get myself together. Oh, I also wanted to know when you submitted your info for insurance approval? How long did it take for you to get an answer? I already can't take much more ... lol!! I wouldn't mind keeping in touch ... since we will hopefully be banded around the same time.

ok, I love this thread ... still waiting on approval here ) ... but what does DH mean??? everytime I read it I think of Dumb Husband ... maybe because I am divorced ... If I was married I might think of Darling Husband ... lol ... anyway ... what does dh mean?????????????

If I were you, I wouldn't take no for an answer. I am 5'1 and about 225-230. I have HBP. I have BCBS TRS with a Texas school district. There are several people who work for the district and have been approved. I would at least try it ... and if it doesn't then you can pay. Definately give them the opportunity to pay it first!! I will be submitting my paperwork to insurance in a couple of days and I will let you know how mine goes. If I get denied I will fight it. If I lose I will not be able to pay for the surgery b/c I am a single mom with 4 young kids, I work full time, and go to school full time too! ... oh yeah ... I live off of an aide's salary!!!! lol

I am trying to find anyone who has use these surgeons. I am considering them because they are local. I do not want to travel for fills, emergencies, or any other reason I need to see them. I would also like to get opinions of other surgeons close to Lufkin, Texas.

Thanks for the response. I am just praying everyday that I can have this surgery. I literally have dreams at night about being on my pre-op diet, forgetting about chewing, and how good it feels to be healthier. Silly huh. I swear these dreams are so real ... when I wake up I have to look at myself to see if I am smaller ... then I realize it was just a dream ... but hopefully not for long! I just hope I won't be denied. Have you told anyone about your band at work or elsewhere?

Hey Carrie, I also have BCBS TRS. I work for a school district in East Texas. I will be submitting my insurance paperwork on Monday, I hope. My goal is to have surgery over Christmas Break so that I don't have to take off any additional time. (I am sure you have the same thoughts about Spring Break) I hope that you can count what you have already done ... that would be great! Have you picked a surgeon yet .... Does he/she have a coordinator? That is who I ask all of my questions. She is used to dealing with these issues and all of the insurance companies. Post whatever you find ... I haven't been able to find anyone else on here with our type of insurance!! It is so nice to meet you! Alisha

Hang in there Fay ... it will go by so fast once you hit the half way mark. I just finished my last visit this past Monday ... so on to the submittal process I guess ... I am so nervous!!

Sorry Fae, I guess I could have addressed you in my reply!! sometimes my fingers type faster than my brain works ... especially when I am thinking about getting my lap band!! I think this is seriously driving me crazy. It seems like all I can think about these days. How much longer do you have to do you have on your six months?? Lonestar, I know what you are saying ... thinking of the lap band seems to have taken over my mind ... I am thinking about what it would be like to have it and how much better I will feel once I do all day long. It is kind of weird that you mentioned the up and down feelings ... I have been doing the same thing for the last six months. I hope to submit mine this coming Monday ... When do you plan on submitting yours??

Where are you from? What insurance do you have? Did you have to do 6 months of weight loss doctor visits or gather 5 years of medical records? Do you chat on yahoo??

Kimmi, It sounds like we have a lot in common. I am 30 years old and live in Texas too. I will submitt all of my information to the insurance company on Monday. I have BCBS with the school system. I am so nervous about getting denied. I am afraid I will be depressed if I do. I am also hoping to have my surgery over Christmas Break since I will already be off of work. I know that the BCBS I have will pay for it because I have heard of a few other employees that have had the lap band. I have to submit 6 months of visits and documented weight loss attempt and medical records proving that I have been overweight for the last five years. I have tried my best to get everything they needed and now I am just hoping it will work. I can understand why you want to call the insurance company to see if they have made a decision or not. I think I would be the same way. I see what you are saying about calling and possibly messing something up. I know it is hard to resist that temptation!! I would like to keep in touch if you want to ... it sounds like we are in the same boat! I wish you all the best.

Thank for the advice. That is what I am looking for is honesty ... not a pair of rose colored glasses. I did not know that about the appealing process, but it is good to know. Although I hope I don't ever have to use it. I did have the surgical coordinator get all of the required items that I must submit and sent them over to my PCP. I hope my PCP has done everything that was asked of her. I like her but I will be upset if she forgot to document something. I guess I am just worried about everything being inline. I hate depending on others for things that will determine my future. I want to be incharge in this department ... lol. Anyway it is nice to meet you and I hope to be posting my official surgery date SOON!!

I live in Lufkin, Texas and I will be submitting all of my information to BCBS (I work for the school district) soon and waiting for approval. I hope to have my surgery over Christmas break so that I will have time off to recover without missing time off of work. Does anyone out there have this insurance? I was told that it paid if the procedure is medically necessary. I also wanted to know if anyone used Dr. Hambrick or Dr. Meyers in Lufkin Texas. This is who I am thinking of using, but I can't find anyone who has used them for the LapBand. Just wanted a little feedback. I would also love to talk to someone out there from my area for support. I need it bad. I am a single parent of four young children and no family around. I work full time and go to school full time as well. Just looking for someone to talk with and maybe for a little encouragment.

I live in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lufkin,</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place> and I will be submitting all of my information to BCBS (I work for the school district) soon and waiting for approval. I hope to have my surgery over Christmas break so that I will have time off to recover without missing time off of work. Does anyone out there have this insurance? I was told that it paid if the procedure is medically necessary. I also wanted to know if anyone used Dr. Hambrick or Dr. Meyers in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lufkin</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place>. This is who I am thinking of using, but I can't find anyone who has used them for the LapBand. Just wanted a little feedback. I would also love to talk to someone out there from my area for support. I need it bad. I am a single parent of four young children and no family around. I work full time and go to school full time as well. Just looking for someone to talk with and maybe for a little encouragment.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

I live in Lufkin, Texas and I will be submitting all of my information to BCBS (I work for the school district) soon and waiting for approval. I hope to have my surgery over Christmas break so that I will have time off to recover without missing time off of work. Does anyone out there have this insurance? I was told that it paid if the procedure is medically necessary. I also wanted to know if anyone used Dr. Hambrick or Dr. Meyers in Lufkin Texas. This is who I am thinking of using, but I can't find anyone who has used them for the LapBand. Just wanted a little feedback. I would also love to talk to someone out there from my area for support. I need it bad. I am a single parent of four young children and no family around. I work full time and go to school full time as well. Just looking for someone to talk with and maybe for a little encouragment. I am a little worried about myself ... I want this so bad that if the insurance does not approve me, I know I will be really depressed and down. I have too much responsibility to be down like that. Should find out in the next 2-3 weeks. I know that is not a very long time, but it sure does feel like it!!!