hopeinapril

OMG what a day!!!!! What a great attitude you have. It is a gift to look at situations like that and laugh. This can be one of your before stories. Too funny as I am about the same weight and am relatively healthy. I don't play tennis, but I sure can pick up stuff off the floor. I'd be willing to bet that I wouldn't be so graceful in heels. Good luck in your journey!:eek:

It looks like the psych evals are as different as the doctors. Mine wasn't that long. I had to complete a 16 question survey. (It was mostly about liking myself and eating). Then the doctor and I chatted for about 45 minutes. He asked me some questions that seemed to be geared to did I understand what my life would be like post surgery and the commitment I was making. It wasn't tough at all.

MacMadame I totally agree! I have complained about their site. It is excellent for seeing your claims and such, but anything else it sucks!

Hello! Ok, so the agent guy is confused as to why it ISN'T covered and has asked the claims folks to get back to him. I am SO HOPEFUL. Sorry that I am posting this here, but my best friend is away, so I don't have anyone to tell my ups and downs to. I'm keeping the positive attitude! "in like Flynn" - EWWWW!

Too funny! I went from a size 8 shoe to now a size 9. I am looking forward to going back to size 8. (It's funny because I have as many shoe sizes as dress sizes!)

Hi Eveyone! I just send off an email to my insurance guy asking him to clarify some things for me. I'm hoping that it will make things go smoothly for the approval process. If not, I'll be paying for this myself, so no new car for a few more years. Hang in there! I'm going to have the same positive attitude that this will all be approved.

Hi DeRaco: I think it is a personal decision. Personally, I am telling only a few people. I don't feel like I want to tell anyone else. I have a few folks who are actively against it for the same reasons you list above. Frankly, if I could do it another way and keep the weight off, I would be doing that now. I wouldn't want the grief..... Good luck with your decision!

Bummer TXABERRY!!! It really sucks when you do what you think you need to, then BANG, you get hit with something like this. Did you tell the new doctor's office that you had already been approved? Sometimes they don't listen closely and just give you the rote answer. Especially if you tell them that you are already approved.

Hi! Congrats on your decision. My insurance requires a 12 week doctor monitored diet, which I am doing. Time is passing quite quickly. I am also getting in all the required doctor visits to be approved for surgery. So far my insurance has been kind of crappy. First they told me it was covered, now they say it is not. I hope your experience is much better. Either way, I am excited and plan to do this. Good luck!

Circa: Thank you so much! I didn't realize your post was a reproduction of the bulletin from Aetna. It makes me feel so much better!!!

Thanks for the info. The doctor's office is working with me. FYI laproscopy is the code that they bill it under. There is no medical code for lapband. Unfortunately for me, this doctors group in the only one in my area that does this surgery. I would have to go out of state if they didn't do it. That brings a whole new set of problems for the insurance.

Hi: I just need to vent. I received a call from my doctor's office today and they said that Aetna told them that this is not a covered procedure. I called Aetna and they said that "laproscopy" is a covered procedure and they will call the doctor's office and let them know. Now I am scared and am ready to cry. I can't believe that my insurance costs a lot, I am relatively healthy, and now they are going to deny me this chance to change my life. The only good thing I am concentrating on is that I have a small hernia. If I can somehow get them to pay for the hospital and such as I expect to get the lapband and hernia repair done at the same time. I could use some encouragement.......

Hi Barb: I have a BMI of 46 and no health problems. I think if you are over 40, they will do the surgery without other health issues. It depends on your insurance company, but I believe a lot of insurance companies will also pay if your bmi is over 40. How long it all takes depends on your insurance. If they pay, they may require you to do a supervised diet. Some are as little as 12 weeks, some are much more. Also, depending on your doctor, you may have to get a psych eval and see other physicians. I saw my doc on 1-9 and have completed most of the pre-op doctor visits and tests. I still have to complete my doc supervised diet and see the endocrinologist. I'm hoping that I get banded in April. Check with your insurance and see what they will cover. The doctor's office also may be familar with your type of insurance. I'm in the same boat in that I have not had much that works long term. Good luck with your search.

Greetings! I think there are many choices here. I am saying that I need laproscopic surgery. I am not getting into details. I did find out that I also have a hernia, so if someone gets nosy enough, I'll tell them I got the hernia repaired. There is a lot of a good advice on this in here. Pick what works for you. I have only told 2 people and plan to keep it that way. I have several friends who are anit-surgery. They seem to think it either doesn't work or it is the easy way out. Either way, it is aggravation that I am not willing to deal with. Once I have the surgery and am successful, I may tell folks, then again I may not. I don't think telling someone that diet and exercise are how you lost weight is bad. It is the truth. Well, good luck in your journey!

Hi Pix: I know what you mean. I played around for almost 6-8 months before I decided I would do it. That was in December. It took me until 1/9 to get an appointment with the dr. After that I learned that I will need to wait 3 months for my insurance. (They want a dr. supervised diet). I have completed most of the pre-op stuff. Hang in there! Hopefully, your insurance won't make you wait too long.

Hi Lizalee: Congrats on your decision and your "stick to it ness". It is tough to go through all the hoops. I'm a little behind you and hope to be banded in April. Yes, you can do it. Keep your dreams close when things get tough. I think that is what helps folks get through.

Hi Alicia: I was at a Chrias seminar on 1-9-08. I had my consult with Dr. Peters earlier that day. My insurance requires 12 weeks of documented weight loss attempts, so I have to wait until about April to get the lapband. I am doing all the other stuff now, so I can hopefully have the surgery in April. Chrias requires you to see various types of physicians to ok the surgery. It depends on your health. I am in good physical condition, just "big". as several doctors have told me. Chrias will make you go to "life classes" which teach you what to expect and how to plan menus for the various phases. (liquids, mushies, food, etc.) Did you meet with a surgeon yet?

Hi Jacole! I can sympathise. I finally decided to do it and now I have a million hoops to go through. I have met with the cardiologist, pulmonologist, dietician and exercies physiologist. I still have to see the endo and complete the "classes" and my visits with the dietician. If all goes well, I should be able to be banded in April. I am so looking forward to it. The food plan I am on is tough at times, but I am trying to muscle through so I can have the surgery. I am excited for you that you will be banded in March. I have about 130 pounds to loose, so we are in the same ball park.

Hi Terri: I have not yet been banded either. I am going through the process. It is my hope that I can get it done in April. I would suggest you continue to read the board and get other information. I have a similar problem in that I can lose weight, but cannot keep it off. I am making other changes along with getting banded which include regular exercise and figuring out why I overeat in the first place. It has been a long journey for me. Keep searching and you will find your answer. Oh, any by the way, there will be people who think that you don't need the band. I say make your own choice.