sweetbean70

Hi Stephanie. Plz don't feel like you are weak and/or a failure for seeking counseling about your feelings. The lifestyle change that comes from having the band is stressful enough let alone having to deal w/ unfeeling relatives. You could very well have a chemical imbalance that is contributing to your feelings. As for the loss of your grandmother, let her memory be your guiding light. It may sound silly, but I lost my grandmother whom I loved w/ all my heart. When I have a success, I swear I can hear my grandma cheering me on in my head. When I have a setback, I hear her telling me that she is proud of me and that I shouldn't give up on myself. Let he memory of your grandma be your Guardian Angel. Good luck!

THANKS!!! I appreciate the advice:)

Well... I just got off the phone w/ my insurance company (UHC). Of course, the policy that my employer bought does NOT cover any sort of weightloss procedures/plans (surgical and non-surgical). The Customer Care Rep told me to write an appeal letter and that I would have an answer from UHC within 30 days of them receiving my letter. Has anyone else had to write an appeal letter to UHC? If so, what was their decision for you? What type of info did you include in your appeal letter? Did you have your dr. write an appeal letter as well? THANKS!

Hi! I was just wondering if you did have Dr. Choban do your surgery? I am going to have the lap band procedure done and Dr. Choban at Mt Carmel West was recommended to me. How was your experience? Cost? Thanks!

Hello. I am just starting my lap band journey. My mother and I are doing this together and her doctor recommended Mt Carmel West. Did you have your procedure done there? Who was your surgeon? What was the cost? How was your experience? Thanks! :wink:

Hi Thinner! I live in Newark. I am just starting the lap band process and would love to hear about your journey:)

Hello. I'm just beginning this whole process (again). I looked into getting the lap band almost 3 years ago, but gave up after finding out that my insurance (UHC) has a WLS exclusion policy. Now, my mother and I have decided to do this together and I will be going the self-pay route. I would love to hear from anyone who had the procedure done in the Columbus, OH area, particularly at Mt Carmel West. WHERE?/WHO?/COST? :wink:

Hello. I am just starting on my journey to health. My mother and I are both having the lap band surgery. Her dr. recommended she have the procedure done at Mt Carmel West (Cols., OH). She has Medicare and her costs will be covered 100%. I have UHC, but will probably be denied b/c of an WLS exclusion policy. I am going to go the self-pay route. Has anyone else had lap band surgery in the Columbus, OH area? If so, who was your surgeon and what was the cost? THANKS! :wink:

I'M SOOO EXCITED!! My mother and I have decided to get banded as a partnership. We both need to lose over 100lbs each. She had a kidney transplant in 2004 and is having trouble w/ sleep apnea and her legs due to her weight. I'm just starting to have health problems conncted w/ my weight (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, arthritis). I also have kidney disease, but I am not having the complications that my mother had that required her to have a transplant. Her doctor suggested that she have the procedure done at Mt Carmel West because there is a doctor there that does the lap band procedure w/ only 1 incision. My mother is 65. Her surgery will be paid for by Medicare. My insurance policy (United HealthCare) does not cover weightloss surgery. I will be paying for the procedure out of my own pocket. HAS ANYONE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS PROCEDURE OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET? GOT ANY TIPS FOR ME?:biggrin: