sandahlia

Yeah, we have BCBS TRS Activecare which is Teacher Retiement System here in Texas. You're right every employer has a different contract, which is tough. I'm on my husband's insurance because my employer will in no way cover wls. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. Let me know how you are doing.

I was already on a supervised diet and only had a couple of months to go. I definately had to do the 6 month diet like most people.

I'm sorry to hear that but maybe you should reconsider submitting your paperwork to BCBS just in case they do approve you. The following link will direct you to BCBS TX medical policy on weight loss surgery Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Obesity Management Web Site for Members My surgeon's insurance coordinator followed this to a "T" and that made the difference for me. I hope things work out for you.

The doctor did a biopsy of the polyps and everything turned out normal. I had to do the liquid diet the day before surgery and then about a week after. I called the doctor and he let me do the liquid for only one week instead of two weeks because I was so hungry. I did soft diet for one week and now i'm on to solids. I will have my first fill in about a week and half. My doctor determined that I needed my first fill two weeks early (they usually wait 6 weeks but i'll mine at 4 weeks) because I'm so hungry. At my two week follow up, he said that if I could go home and eat a turkey sandwich without any feeling any limitations then I would need to have a fill. My BMI has been between 39 and 37, I was approved at just under 38. How did your diagnostic appointment go? I wish you the best of luck with everything!

I had my surgery on Nov. 8th. It went really well, just getting adjusted to the band. I haven't had any problems so far, a little heart burn but no vomiting. Have lost 15 lbs. so far, I know it's just water but it sure helps with motivation. Thanks for asking!

Hi Joy, Sorry to hear about the difficulty you've had in the past. But your son is the best surprise that could have happened. I haven't had the surgery yet, I'm waiting to find out the results of endo, the polpys are actually in my stomach not my colon so I am hoping hear from someone with the same situation so I could get an idea if my surgery would need to be delayed. I would have the doctors measure your height again without your heels so they can document your correct height. From what've read on the message boards the 5 history is pretty important. The best advice I can give you is to call the insurance company and ask about their criteria and have them mail you a copy of it. If your height has been off by two inches all along then your bmi would be way off all along too. Your doctors would be the ones to determine if the c-section would affect the lap-band and how soon after you've had a baby you can have lap band. The process for me started almost two years ago. I went to a seminar and then decided to keep trying on my own for about a year then I finally made the decision that this was the right thing for me. From that point it took six months for approval because I had to do the supervised diet. The surgeon's office would not submit anything to the ins. company until all of the insurance criteria had been met. Once everything was together and submitted it took only week to be approved. My surgery date is next week but I hope it does not get delayed. My gut feeling is that it will go as planned. I really hope eveything goes well for you. The waiting process is tough but I've been over weight for most of my life so a little more waiting is not all bad.

Hi Joy, Thanks for the encouragement. Let me knwo what questions you have, I'll try my best to answer them.

I had a pre-op endo test yesterday it showed that I have multiple stomach polyps. They were not bleeding and did not show evidence of past bleeding. The endo doc didn't think it would delay my lap band surgery. I'm just going crazy waiting for pathology report. I was wondering if anyone else has stomach polyps and if it delayed their surgery?

Hi SCMARTIN...I went to their seminar about a year ago. At the time I was going have the bypass but changed my mind. I met with Dr. Arnold in July and he said he didn't do the lapband yet and recommended Dr. Kuhn. I have since met him and really like him. My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 8th!!! I'm so excited. Thanks for your reply to my post.

I have my surgery date...November 8th! I'm happy, excited and nervous. I'm just ready to lose the weight and keep it off, finally, I'll have something in place to help me.

LauraD, i followed a six month doctor supervised diet, basically a reduced calorie diet. I went to my doctor once a month for six months. The doctor took notes that I was following diet program, recorded my weight and measurements. I lost a few pounds at first and then regained (no big surprise.) BCBS goes by the bmi you are at when you start the diet program. Hope this info. helps.

No surgery date yet, have a consult with the surgeon next week. I'm hoping to have surgery around Thanksgiving or Christmas so I don't have to take extra time off of work. Good luck to you on your 6 month diet.