Tracyde730

That's awesome..Good luck to you!! Keep us posted!

I finally have a surgery date...August 1st at 8:30 am (But who's counting). I'm on my way with my 6 month diet plan and I can't wait!! I hope I can hold on till then. Wish me luck!! I'll be a "Summer Bander" :eek:

All are different, but mine does. I need a 6 month doctor supervised diet...I'm on my way & my surgery is scheduled for August 1st...Good luck to you!

My insurance is switching to NJ Direct 10 as of April 1, 2008. Does anyone have any info on them and their requirements??:eek:

Wish me luck....I'm going tomorrow for my consultation. I've already done the seminar & it's my 1st meeting with the doctor. I have all my doctor letters to bring with weights & diets. Please cross your fingers for me that all goes well & the surgery is soon!! :thumbdown:

Can someone please tell me what the 6 month doctor supervised diet consists of? Are there specials papers to fill out or is a doctor's note sufficient? I have BC/BS NJ...help!

My insurance BC BS of Nj requires a 6 month diet plan before approval. Well....today I got a letter from my Psychiatrist stating he has been treating me for anxiety and weight issues since 2004. (He even wrote all 16 dates). He said in the letter that "She has been given instruction over this time for weight reduction" and "She has been unsuccessful in using diet and exercise to achieve a normal body mass"...Do you think this will be good enough??What if my PCP write something similar and includes weight??? Helpp...I need opinions! Thanks!!:cursing:

Dumb question I know, but....is they a shortcut around the 6 month doctor supervised weight plan that is required? How about a doctor that sees me once every 3 or 4 months and helps with the weight?

I went to the seminar last week and 1 of the requirements for surgery is being morbidly obese for 5 years. I don't think I have been morbidly obese for 5 years, but DEFINITELY way overweight. Only morbidly obese for the past 2-3 years. Do you think that will make a difference? I have or will have all the othet requirements done, plus high bp & on meds...help! Neep opinions...

Thanks a lot Nuff! I hve been overweight my whole life & my dad died at age 52 from heart disease, so I think that's a plus to me (that doesn't sound right...LOL)

Good for you...Good luck!

Good luck...you'rein m thoghts and prayers!

Good for you..that's great news!

Thanks...I'm trying!

Ok, I attended the mandated seminar today and now I'm 110% sure i want the Lap Band. I learned a lot and I'm not scared any more of the surgery or the anesthesia, but.....I am disappointed. BC/BS requires a 6 month doctor surpervised weight loss/ suggestion plan. That stinks!! I have a question...I've been seeing a Psychiatrist for years who has prescribed meds for me to lose weight and knew I was on WW, but nothing worked. Can he write me a letter? I wouldn't be once a month for 6 months but it may be one every 3 months for a few years. Do you think the ins would accept that? I know he'd write me a letter.....HELP???!!!

Jamie, I called the ins too & they did the same thing to me....no definite answers. So maybe it's not that definite if they're not telling you that you need it up front. I have an appointment next week with my PCP & Psychiatrist....I'm going to try my best and get ALL the paperwork I can! Keep me posted!

I called my ins this morning and they were very vague, but I specifically asked about the 6 month plan and all the lady kept repeating was "talk to your doctor & get a note"....well, I have a PCP appointment next week and I'm making my Psychiatrist appt later for ASAP. Thie may work after all!!

Hi Jamie! Don't give up...I'm with you all the way. We'll figure this out! Don't forget to make your phone calls today... :cursing:

Tonight is my seminar night! I am sooo excited! Wish me luck! Does anyone know the the approximate time from seminar to surgery if there are no insurance issues??:biggrin:

Good luck Jess...you'll do great!

Thanks Dress! Believe me, I'll be on the phone tomorrow getting all the info & help I can. Good luck and congrats to you!

Thanks Lori....Any one have access to 6 month dit journals or know of a doctor who does??? LOL

I do have high pressure and I'm on meds for it, plus I have a family history of early death do to heart disease, but will that matter?? My BMI is like 38.8. This process sucks!

Ok...I attended the mandated seminar and now I'm 110% sure that the Lap Band is for me. My mind is at ease over the surgery & the anesthesia....no more worries. BUT...we got a list of BC/BS requirements and 1 is the 6 month supervised weightloss from a doctor. I am so mad!! I don't want to wait 6 months. Is there a way around it at all?? I've been going to a Psychiatrist for years and he has documentation of my weight loss tries thru him (pills, therapy, etc). Will that help me instead? It's not once a month for 6 months, but its probably every 3 months for the past few years. Will that help instead? I know he'll write a letter. Help!!!???

Good luck to you too! I think I will be using this surgeon because he's in my plan and I've heard good things about them. We'll see later...