flamingfeather

Thanks so much for the information. I called his office and I was informed he didn't perform lapband surgery. I was a nurse for him at the Burn Unit here in Baton Rouge at the General, so I am really familiar with his personality and bedside manner. He is a great Dr. I will look back into it. I'm just starting my research and get my medicare in order. I have to wait until the first of the year to actually start the entire process because medicare has to add part B to my coverage. My secondary insurance is Champva(military insurance) so I hope everything is smooth sailing. Thank you so much for getting back with me and having the surgery at Womens Hospital sounds great.Also where do you go for your refills and does your insurance cover that? Did you have to obtain your medical records from your primary care physician?

I am new to the site and doing my research before plunging ahead. I want to know if anyone got their band done in Louisiana, what Dr., and what facility?

By all means keep me informed on your progress with Champva and I will do the same. Good luck and thanks for replying back to me.

I also have Champva. I called and they gave me the requirements that are needed medically to be considered a canidate. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, weigh bearing problems on the knee joints, heart problems associated with weight and a few more. The represenative told me to make sure the physician puts all of my medical conditions in the request for surgery approval paperwork. I am also attending a seminar in two weeks. I don't think it's required but I want to go anyway to ask questions and get more information. Hope this helps.Good luck. I will keep you posted on the insurance process as I go through it.

I am with Champva also and I am just starting my journey. I have to attend a seminar in the next few weeks. I called Champva and asked them questions about the requirements for the surgery and what the Dr had to submit when turning in the request for lapband surgery. I was told that you have to have one or more of the following:diabetes, high blood pressure, heart condition related to overweight, weight bearing problems on your joints such as bad knees, high cholesterol that is hard to maintain with meds,and there were a few more. If you havent called them give them a call. They were very nice and informative. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I haven't gotten the lapband surgery yet and I am in the process of attending a seminar in a few weeks. Has anyone gotten the surgery in Baton Rouge,Louisiana? If so where do you go to get your refills if needed?

I am a 41 yr. old mother of two grown daughters and one 2yr. old grandson. I have been overweight after my child birth years. I have exercised and tried every diet in the book with only a few pounds lost and the several pounds gained back. I am a type 2 diabetic, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol,a back injury and osteoarthiritis in my knees, elbows, shoulder and hands which makes it very difficult to move at all. I am presently weighing 217 from 230, which I did just by cutting back on a lot of high calorie foods. I guess my body is comfortable at this weight because I stay in this range. My husband is a ex-veteran and I have military health insurance. I called the insurance company and they explained to me the qualifications for the lapband. I do qualify according to the insurance, but I have to wait after I see the Dr. and have him turn in the paperwork and go from there.I have been doing research and educatiing myself on the before and after of getting the lapband. The seminar is the 29th of October and I'm excited about it. Not only will the surgery make me a healthier person, but it may help me buy some time on getting my knee replacement surgery.I will keep you guys informed of my journey and I wish each and everyone of you good luck and God Bless.:tongue_smilie: Tamara C.