Sunbunny064

I am overwhelmed by the vast range of differences for every person who gets this surgery done. As if the nightmare of waiting to hear back from the insurance company is not stressful enough, then you have to pay program fees on top of it all. I hope it is worth all this. I am waiting for my insurance company to make a decision. My surgery is scheduled for 2/18.

Congratulations! My summary plan description does not say a thing about 5 years of history. All it says is that there must be a medical necessity in order for morbid obesity to be covered. I am not morbidly obese yet, my BMI is only 38. But if they deny me don't think I won't put on that extra 10 pounds that will bring my BMI to 40! If the insurance company denies me, I will file an appeal because I have hypertension, hyperlipidemiam, non insulin dependent diabetes just to name a few. Having this surgery could save my life. I have done every diet known to man and even taken prescription diet pills. Everything goes ok until I go off the pills and then the pounds return with their cousins. Insurance companies only care about the cost associated with the proceedure. I wish they had to live in my body!

United Healthcare is a PPO, it is illegal for your doctor to charge you a dime other than your co-pay prior to billing your insurance first. You are smart to question this practice.

I have United Healthcare. I received a letter today asking for all the medical records to substantiate what my surgeon had listed in his pre-authorizaion summary. They did not ask for 5 years or say I needed any specific BMI. All the letter asked for was medical records supporting my diagnoses, including all lab reports and physician's notes. They asked for a list of medications I am taking. The letter said they will attempt to expidite my request but it can take up to 45 days. My surgery is scheduled for 2/18/09 so they had better hurry. I am going to take this response from my insurance company as a postive step towards my surgery.

Hi, I have United Healthcare Plus and I have a surgeon that is in network. I too have been at this process for about 8 months now. The doc sent my info to the insurance company on 1/23/09. I confirmed they received it and it is scheduled for review on 1/26/09. I don't have my approval letter back yet. My sister works for the hospital where I am going to have the proceedure done and she said I am on the roster to have surgery on 2/18/09 @ 10:30am. So, I am crossing my fingers the doctors office knows something I do not.

Hey Banster Bunnies, I just received word today that my surgeon has sent my file to the insurance company for a pre-authorization. Cross your fingers for me, I might be a February Bunny! I can handle being Miss February some day. (ha ha) Now that I think about it, I would be happy to just be able to fit into a pair of Levis.

Hey, Dont give up.. I am boarderline insurance approval also, I have a BMI of 37 with two comorbidities. We are sending everything to the insurance company for approval next week. If all goes well, I might get banded on February 18. If not, then I will be an April bandster because of the 6 month clause in my insurance. My insurance is sticky because they ask for 3 years medical documentation that I have fought with my weight. Until about 2 years ago, I didn't even know a person could go to the doctor and get help with weight issues. I had never heard of bariatrics. Doesn't it just frost you that insurance companies have to make this process so difficult? Makes you wonder why you pay for insurance in the first place. Hang in there and don't let AETNA off the hook. I do know that they require the 6moth continuous office visits with the surgeon so what ever you do, find a surgeon pronto and don't miss a single appointment.

Hi, I was reading your blog, did you have to do a 6th month diet before the insurance company would approve your surgery? I am going through the same thing only my doctor is not really making me diet, he is however encouraging excercise.

I thought I was going to be an April 09 banster, now it looks like I might be a March banster. No complaints here.

AGHHH, Thank you for the warning, I have never heard of Mastication before. I do not want to do anything to mess up my surgery success.

Thank you for sharing, I have no idea what it is going to be like after my surgery, I just know I don't want to do anything to mess it up. If I can chew a chip and then spit it out, I am cool with that. I see you are going to get your first fill on the 19th. Please post and let us know how that goes for you. Hang in there, this time next year, you will be a hot 100lbs lighter!

Look out Hef, there is a new group of bunnies in the making. All the beautiful women who will be banded in April 2009! Hang tight bunnies! April is only 90 short days away.:Yawn:

Hi, I don't know what your starting weight is but you should be able to bathe yourself after surgery. It is my understanding that you will be very gassy after surgery, the best way to relieve the gas is to walk it off. (Check with your doctor.) My surgery is scheduled for April 8, 2008 so I can only tell you what my doctor has shared so far. My doctor said one of the most important aspects of this surgeries success is to try to keep your life as stress free as possible. If you and your mother don't get along, maybe a really close friend might stay with you at your house. Good Luck!

Thats cool! Congratulations on getting banded and losing so much in the first week! It is encouraging to hear the weight does come off if the program is followed. My new surgery date is scheduled for April 8, 2009. I cannot wait!! Keep up the good work! E

Hi, I was originally scheduled to be banded on 12/23 and then found out my insurance had a 6 month clause in it so I had to postpone the surgery until April. Like you I am nervous and excited. My doctor told me the secret to success is to begin working out lightly now, no heavy weights but rather walking daily, swimming things that prepare your body for being more active. It is my understanding that if we prepare our bodies in advance of the surgery, it helps the weight come off even faster. Best of luck to you! E

What is a realistic amount of weight to loose in the first 30 days following surgery? I was scheduled to be banded on 12/23 but because of my insurance requirements I had to change the date to 04/08/09. I can't wait to have the proceedure done.

Hey, How's it going? I live in Kuna Idaho and I am seeing Dr. Korn. I get banded on 12/23/08. I am so excited and can't wait until Christmas. How has it gone for you so far? E

Wow! You went through a lot before you finally got the Ok, to be banded. My surgery is scheduled for 12/23/08. I am so excited! My husband is going to be my support so he went to the seminar with me and went in to see Dr. Korn to get a better understanding of the process. I am so excited for Christmas! This year Santa is bringing a new me! Any advice for the newbie prior to going in for surgery or after?

Hi Everyone, Dr. Korn gave me my surgery date today. I am getting banded for Christmas 12/23/08. Today is a happy day, I cannot wait until Christmas this year!!

I go to see him tomorrow and I hope we schedule my surgery date at that time. I am going to ask him to. Cross your fingers for me, maybe we will have it done the same days )

Hi, I live in Kuna Idaho, my doctor is Dr. Korn. I have completed allthe preliminaries, I don't think my doctor is going to require a sleep study. Have you been banded yet? I can't wait until my doctor give me the go ahead date! I hope it happends before Christmas.:thumbdown:

Hi, I live in Kuna Idaho and I am working with Dr. Korn. I have done my visits with the nutricianist (sp) Phsych Eval, Cardio Eval. I meet with Dr. Korn on the 21st of November and hope to be banded by the 2nd week of December. How do you like it so far?

Hi, I just finished my psych evaluation and I meet with the surgeon on Monday. What has the process been like for you? Are you glad you had the surgery done? I meet with the dietician on November 12. I hope to have my surgery done before Christmas. I am both excited and nervous. Sunbunny

Hi Mike, I live in Idaho and I have just completed the pre-op phase of evaluation. I haven't scheduled my surgery date yet. I am hoping that will happen next week. I am really interested in hearing what the process has been like for you. What does your stomach look like after surgery? I know what the models on the internet look like as fars as the stomach diagrams, but what does an actual person look like? When you loose the weight does the tube show under the skin? I am happy that you were able to have your surgery done so quickly. I will be watching your blog to see what the experience has been like for you. Best Wishes Sunbunny