CHI-Girl

hmmmmm good question I use a cpap as well but only for a month now. I was thinking the samething... Can't wait to see the responses to this question.

:blush:lol you have me cracking up over here I'm kind of the same way! I want it now to lol. I just want this so bad already... Yes keep me posted on what happens at your consult.

I can’t comment on what happens as my first consultation is Thursday and I’m wondering the same. What do we expect? I’m very excited to start this process already

:thumbup:Very inspirational- I'm not banded yet but this is great to see.

Sweet! Ya I'm beyond excited I wish it were today lol. Well I'm excited and worried as well. I have the same concerns as you. Did you have to do the seminar first? So tell do you have to do 6 months diet before send paperwork in. This is what I'm fretting about!

I hope I don't crave carbs after I get banded! I to love bread and my first love is RICE yummm.:rolleyes2:

Welcome, I haven't been banded yet either but am in the process of getting it together. I have first consultation week from today! I hope to be banded this year, God Willing!

Roxann, do you remember what your policy stated? My just says I have to have attempted non surgical methods. Nothing in their that states 6 months, so I'm hoping I'm all good. Although I've been attempting to lose I'm sure for about 6 months really more, but not sure if documented.

Nana me to I want my date to lol. I have first consult on SEP 18 I can't wait.

I'm leaning towords this realize band as well because of the support thing as well. If you go to realizeband.com you can see the whole online system, it reminds me of like the weight watchers etool website it has all of your fill info and support access in one spot you can also Log your workouts and Water intake... I like it for this reason. Also the realize band is like a round vs like a trangle. But check it out for yourself at realizeband.com Keep me posted

wear some ankle weights or and if possible steal toe shoes. I saw that posted somewhere on here and I thought dang that's a great idea if I needed it. Good luck keep us posted

Restless monkey did the anesthesia really get rid of your Siatica issues? OMG I would love to get rid of my Siatica issues!

Yes keep me posted on how it goes for you. I have my first consult next Thursday. I printed up the policy from on line where they told me it was. It does say "the paitent myst have actively participated in non-surgical methods of weight reduction; these efforts must be fully appraised by the physician requesting authorization for surgery". If you ask me that is very vaige! It doesn't state 6 weeks... So I'm hoping that this will be a fast process. Although I have been activaly working with my PCP to loose weight so I hope he has that all documented because I don't want to have to start all over again! keep in touch.

Ok so great news, I called to make sure this doctor my PCP referred me to was on my network and all the dreaded things I was afraid to ask and GUESS what! He is on the network and if approved for what they call medically necessary they cover 100% and the guidelines are not crazy like some that I’ve seen so I should be ok. Now I just need to wait for this seminar that I go to on Sep 6th with Dr. Kane in Arlington Heights, IL. Thank Goodness he is in my network!!!!!!!! I almost feel so silly for being so nervous but after reading some blogs I feared the worst! I guess that’s not the worst thing to do, because if he had not been in network I would have been bummed to have to start looking for a new Doc. Ok I will continue to keep you in the loop Oh Illiana yes girl you’re so right I’m a Pioneer and a MOM and I can do anything!!!!!! Hey now I’m a rock star….. Ok seriously if I’m this happy now imagine when I get to hand in all the paper work and finally get my APPROVAL LETTER lol I’m going to get on my desk and DANCE like a ROCK STAR lol. Peace out!

do they require, pre req's. Also do they give a lot of problems approving? I was advised only to call and ask if the cover Baratric surgery by nurse at surgens office. Not met with him yet, but have the referal and am scheduled for seminar 6th of September. But I guess I'm just paronid. I asked where I could find the details and she said on line looked and no online access. So now what, I'm afraid to call them and ask. Do I just wait till I go to seminar. :thumbup: My stats: 5' 0.5" Tall 219 (BMI around 41 or 42. I just weight in at doc 2 days ago lost 5 lbs this month so haven't checked BMI) I have sleep Apnea -Just recieved Cpap machine a week ago today! I have joint issues tendintas in my knees and back pain which I did theropy and MRI and nothing wrong machenically. :tt2: I just turned 30! What are my chances of an easy approval process with BCBS of Georgia (side note I like in IL and have BCBS of GA go figure!!!) Another side note I'm new here and don't see spell check :cool2: I spell terrible sorry!!! I live and breath spell check guess can't do that here! if their is a spell check plz someone tell me where :wink::w00t:

HI, I'm not too far from you! I'm Near Elmhurst! I'm just starting all this to. It's great to see a lot of people from IL. I really want this to work out for me so bad!

So this is all new to me although I've been doing research and going to doctors visits and having all kinds of tests done and well my doctor finally gave me the referral to a surgeon. Although I confused. I called the doc and I have to do some seminar before they can give me an apt. The girl was really nice and advised me to see if my insurance covers bariatrics and to not ask to many questions, so I did just that. I was advised that it is covered if medically needed once approved they will cover 100%. I also asked where on line I could find the requirements so she told me where and so I went to look but that info is not online. So I came across something else in the benefits website under doctor search and it didn't have names of doctors but approved facilities for bariatrics and this doctor is not affiliated with any of the 4 hospitals in the Chicago land area! So am I just wasting my time with this seminar if this doctor isn't affiliated with one the the 4 hospitals? Ugh... Anyone have a suggestion for me. I will tell you that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea (just received my cpap machine a week ago) my BMI is 41 or 42 and I have been having back issues and went to therapy and MRI's and nothing is wrong mechanically. I have issues with my ankles and knee's giving out I'm like 5'. 0.5" and as of yesterday 219 (I lost 5 lbs this month, I'm so proud). I have BCBS of GA and I live in Chicago land area go figure out of state insurance! Does any of this look hopeful? Some one anyone give me some inspiration words of wisdom. I've been wanting and pushing doc to say ok Lap Band since early this Year and it's now August and I just turned 30 2 weeks ago and want to enjoy my 4 year old daughter and life.

So this is all new to me although I've been doing research and going to doctors visits and having all kinds of tests done and well my doctor finally gave me the referral to a surgeon. Although I confused. I called the doc and I have to do some seminar before they can give me an apt. The girl was really nice and advised me to see if my insurance covers bariatrics and to not ask to many questions, so I did just that. I was advised that it is covered if medically needed once approved they will cover 100%. I also asked where on line I could find the requirements so she told me where and so I went to look but that info is not online. So I came across something else in the benefits website under doctor search and it didn't have names of doctors but approved facilities for bariatrics and this doctor is not affiliated with any of the 4 hospitals in the Chicago land area! So am I just wasting my time with this seminar if this doctor isn't affiliated with one the the 4 hospitals? Ugh... Anyone have a suggestion for me. I will tell you that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea (just received my cpap machine a week ago) my BMI is 41 or 42 and I have been having back issues and went to therapy and MRI's and nothing is wrong mechanically. I have issues with my ankles and knee's giving out I'm like 5'. 0.5" and as of yesterday 219 (I lost 5 lbs this month, I'm so proud). I have BCBS of GA and I live in Chicago land area go figure out of state insurance! Does any of this look hopeful? Some one anyone give me some inspiration words of wisdom. I've been wanting and pushing doc to say ok lap-band since early this Year and it's now August and I just turned 30 2 weeks ago and want to enjoy my 4 year old daughter and life.

So this is all new to me although I've been doing research and going to doctors visits and having all kinds of tests done and well my doctor finally gave me the referral to a surgeon. Although I confused. I called the doc and I have to do some seminar before they can give me an apt. The girl was really nice and advised me to see if my insurance covers bariatrics and to not ask to many questions, so I did just that. I was advised that it is covered if medically needed once approved they will cover 100%. I also asked where on line I could find the requirements so she told me where and so I went to look but that info is not online. So I came across something else in the benefits website under doctor search and it didn't have names of doctors but approved facilities for bariatrics and this doctor is not affiliated with any of the 4 hospitals in the Chicago land area! So am I just wasting my time with this seminar if this doctor isn't affiliated with one the the 4 hospitals? Ugh... Anyone have a suggestion for me. I will tell you that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea (just received my cpap machine a week ago) my BMI is 41 or 42 and I have been having back issues and went to therapy and MRI's and nothing is wrong mechanically. I have issues with my ankles and knee's giving out I'm like 5'. 0.5" and as of yesterday 219 (I lost 5 lbs this month, I'm so proud). I have BCBS of GA and I live in Chicago land area go figure out of state insurance! Does any of this look hopeful? Some one anyone give me some inspiration words of wisdom. I've been wanting and pushing doc to say ok lap-band since early this Year and it's now August and I just turned 30 2 weeks ago and want to enjoy my 4 year old daughter and life.