Aquameliza

Harvard Pilgrim insurance is amazing!! I recieved approval within 24 hours. I have been so very concerned about this that I had not really thought about this as something that would really happen to me so soon. I am going tomorrow to meet with the surgeon and set my surgery date!!! Wow - although I started this process initially in early January - this went by so fast! If you have an option - chose Harvard Pilgrim!! :eek::thumbup:

Hello- Yes, tomorrow, but I am going to Faulkner Hospital. I hope to schedule the surgery for the second week of May- what date are you thinking of?

Bea- What's a D.O?

I heard (or read or something) that if you self pay for surgery and there are any medical complications that insurance will not cover you for them (infections or other problems). That is terrifying, what if I had a heart attack or something else very expensive? Does anyone know if this is true???

Oh yes, I completely understand - and its not really fair, is it? I mean, it would be one thing if we could remember being 16 and having gorgeous skin and scarless bodies...but that is not the case for me either. I have never been happy with my body and get so angry at myself and my parents sometimes - why didn't I learn my lessons? Why didn't my parents teach me better? Why wasn't I ever a nubile young thing with unstretched skin and perfect teeth... But, then I think about the life that I have lived so far and (with luck) will continue to live and I remember how lucky we are to live a life that is not about scrounging for food and having our children die of Water borne diseases- but that we are "lucky" enough to be blessed with abundance and that if stretch marks are my biggest problem - BRING 'EM ON! I hope that makes sense, I completely understand but refuse to spend any more of my precious life feeling sorry for myself. Try this quote: "There is something beautiful about all scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed and healed, done with. "

Hello All- After obsessing for weeks about my appointments that I had today (nutritionist and my surgeon) - it was wonderful. I expected to be judged and told that I was a lazy slob, but everyone was so very nice and non-judgemental- it was great. The nutritionist wasn't a 90 pound 25 year old (couldn't face another one of those!), the PA was very personable and listened to my history with understanding and the surgeon was amazing- very straight forward and accepting. I have Harvard Pilgrim Insurance and was seen today at the Faulkner Hospital in Boston (may have surgery at Brigham and Women's) and it was just assumed that all would go well. After reading so many horror stories about insurance and jumping through hoops to get approved- everyone was saying that this WILL happen - they even starting discussing dates! I still have to complete the psych evaluation, an upper GI test and some bloodwork, but nothing of great concern. I had to pay $500 for the program that I was not entirely prepared for, but, if I can get this through insurance - it is well worth it! Did anyone else have an easy first experience like this and feel like they were in another world? I have been very nervous and excited for weeks, not really able to think about anything else. The timing is great- about 6 weeks to lose a pound a week (or so- not great demands- just don't gain any weight) - which I think will give me the time to start the good habits that I will need - eating slowly, chewing completely, no drinks with meals, etc. I cannot believe it can be this easy - I am afraid to be happy or excited for fear that a show will drop!! I may get a surgery date for the end of April - or even early May- near my 39th birthday would be perfect!!! Anyone else have this experience? If this goes as they tell me it will - Harvard Pilgrim and Dr T rock!! Wishing myself and everyone an easy time with the journey!! :smile2::blushing::ohmy::wub::huh2:

What a great thread... - not dreading summer and the little, young things in their shorts and tank tops - going swimming without a tshirt - not being afraid of fire when I wear corderoy pants! (someone else must get that one!) -having a man look at me in THAT way- just a stranger just for a second - it has been soooo long - I would never act on it, but oh, it would be nice to feel desirable - having less pain! :rolleyes2:

Thank you for the support - I plan on following every rule to the letter (as much as my feeble will power can manage) - I want this soooo badly! Anyone else shocked by the apparent simplicity of the process? I feel terrible for those who went through (and are going through) so much to get this. Maybe I am fooling myself!:blushing:

Hello All- I have another post about my obsession with getting Lap Band surgery - I guess as this is my third thread on different topics - my obsession is obvious. I am one week from my first appointment with the surgeon and nutritionist (the adminstrative assistant in the office is a gem- she set up both for the same day) and am fairly freaking out already - I cannot imagine what I will be like when I am actually waiting to get approval from the insurance company. I have Harvard Pilgrim HMO and the administrator mentioned that it was not one of the harder companies to get approvals from - is there anyone on here who has had a recent approval or denial from Harvard Pilgrim HMO or would share any information about your experience with this company. I would be very appreciative and could maybe think about something else for a few minutes!!!!!!! :laugh:

Hello- I am very anxious to join as a hopefully soon to be MA bandster - I have my surgeon and nutritionist appointment in one week!! Anyone use Harvard Pilgrim HMO? I am seeing Dr T at Brigham and Womens - they have been tremendous so far!

What insurance do you have pearlygirl? Aquameliza

Hello All- I have read many messages here, but never posted. My PCP has given me a referral and I have my first appointment with my surgeon (Dr T at BWH in Boston) on2/27/08. I cannot wait, but am terrified of not getting insurance approval. I have Harvard Pilgrim HMO - the plan and my employer allow for bariatric surgery and do not appear terribly strict on the requirements, but becuase I want this so badly, I am sure that something will prevent me from getting approval. I have been thinking about this surgery for more than 5 years. A girlfriend went to Mexico to have it done then and watching her lose weight effortlessly made me soooo jealous. However, I also watched her gain weight back becuase she did not get fills or follow any program or get any real support. I learned from her that the only way to do this is to do it all the way and follow whatever they tell me to do. Another friend had it done at the same hospital with insurance coverage 2 years ago and looks great. Finally, my father was banded in January and for a man who could never lose weight- he has lost 26 pounds. I feel like I will be the most educated patient - I read everything there is to read, have watched the surgery on the web and have discussed this with my therapist. Honestly, I do not know what I will do if I am turned down. I can't even think about it - the idea of starting ANOTHER diet makes my stomach hurt and my head ache. I cannot walk into another Weightt Watchers Week one meeting - or eat any more cabbage Soup or try any more pills - I have even bought ones not approved by the FDA from Hong Kong - how crazy is that???!! Diets have been nothing but bad for me- I lose 20 pounds only to gain back 25. Aurgh!!!! I guess I am writing to see if anyone else went through this or is going through this same thing now. I feel a little obsessive and do not like that - I wish I could stop thinking about it, but I feel like the next stage of my life is on hold until I get the thumbs up and have a surgery date. Anyone else ever feel like this??