Tory09

I just found out I will be banded on Oct 22nd!!! So I only have 8 days for my liquid diet but they said that would be fine. How funny is that!!! Congrats to all... I will be an Oct Bander :thumbup:

My surgeons office requested it to be inpatient, but my insurance put it for outpatient. They said I can stay 24 hrs then if I need more then the surgeon can request me to stay longer. Its the hospital that wants this to be inpatient. I guess they want to make more money if its inpatient...

Hi Everyone. I just found out I was approved today but for the lapband surgery on an outpatient basis... My drs office said they dont mind doing he procedure on an outpatient basis but the hospital is the one that wants everyone to have the lb surgery done on an inpatient procedure so they get more money. Has this happened to you? What happened? I am praying the hospital will let me have my surgery done on an outpatient basis. I am so scared!!! Send some prayers my way please :scared2:

Hi everyone!!! I got good news. I found out I was approved today but for outpatient surgery... My drs office said they dont mind doing that but the hospital is the one that tries them to force to have inpatient procedure so they get more money. The drs office said they are going to talk with the surgery coordinator to see what they can do... Pray for me :scared2: that I get a date soon!! Thanks to all!!!!!!!!

It only took 3 days to get approved once the drs office sent the paperwork to the right fax. I just found out I got approved but its for outpatient. I dont mind but the hospital doesnt want any outpatients but the surgeons office is fine with it. Please keep your fingers crossed for me that I get a surgery date soon since the 2 places are in disagreement... Prayers please :scared2:

Thanks for the prayers!!! I just found out I was approved but it is for outpatient procedure... The hospital doesnt want the procedure done in an outpatient setting because they want more money so my drs office has to try to work it out with them... Please pray it works out and I can get a surgery date... Thanks so much!!!

Cathy, I agree with you but my surgeons office and the hospital policy for that matter wont let you do it in an outpatient setting... I would rather go home after the procedure is done... I just am praying for an approval :thumbdown:

Thanks Josieb... someone in my nutrition class said it was against the state law of Virginia to do the lb procedure and not allow you to stay the night... thats what someone told me so I dont know if that is true or not...

I had to do the sleep study. It was the worst thing I HAVE EVER DONE! I was miserable for the whole 8 hrs. They said I have severe sleep apnea. I told the sleep study drs that the statistics were inaccurate because I only sleep on my stomach. When you are a stomach sleeper then you dont have the problems that the back sleepers have with the breathing. I have something called shallow breathing but they said it was severe sleep apnea. I am only doing this so I can get my surgery. It is good in a way cause it shows its a comorbidity but the day after my surgery, my breathing machine gets returned!!!!

This is a great thread! I am praying for an approval from my insurance company and to allow me to have the procedure done on an inpatient basis, so I can stay the night. It has been months getting to this point, but well worth it., I just have to keep on praying that God will let me take this path and get the surgery. I am so afraid of the insurance company denying the claim. All the best to you all!

Hi I wanted to update you... the insurance has confirmed they finally have my medical paperwork in their system for review as of yesterday (it has taken months to get to this point.) I need your prayers that Anthem BCBS will approve me for the surgery for an inpatient procedure. The surgeon wont do the surgery if the insurance wont allow it to be inpatient... alot of the insurance companies want the surgery to be done on an out patient procedure, but my drs office feels you need to stay the night. I am trying my best to be patient since it has taken months to get to this point. Just pray for me please. Much thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is horrible you have been denied twice. My drs office finally sent the paperwork to the right place this time. They got the paperwork yesterday. I am just praying for an approval and for them to approve me for an inpatient procedure. My surgeons office has been fighting with ALL of the insurance companies because they only want people do have the surgery on an outpatient basis. This one lady told me this is why she was denied twice. But the third time was a charm! Good luck to you!!!

That is great!!! You look great! How much have you lost? I am just ready to start my journey that so many have already taken...

Thats great Mandie!!! I called my insurance and they still didnt get the paperwork after 12 days. They gave me a number for the drs office to fax it to or just call it in, but the insurance person was leaving for a few days and wont be back till next week. I am frustrated but trying to hold on and stay positive... Good luck to everyone!

Thanks for the prayers... please keep them coming. I called the insurance company and they checked with medical review and they said they did not have any paperwork on me. So they gave me their number for the drs office to call and the correct fax number and I gave it to the drs office insurance person.. but she was about to leave for a few days and wouldnt be back till next week. I am just so frustrated on this waiting for the approval... I just have to trust in God and be patient. It is so hard since I want to have this surgery now... Prayers for a speedy approval process!!!

Thats great. I am so happy for you. I did all my appts by August 3rd, the drs office just submitted the paperwork on Sept 4th and I havent heard anything... but I have heard thru the grapevine Anthem BCBS can be slow... I am just frustrated cause I wanted to have my surgery in September.... oh well... I am super happy for you!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Argyle, I totally understand your frustrations and being afraid. I am so afraid and just cant wait to hear from the insurance company!!! I am on pins and needles. I am just trying to keep calm and pray about it. But it is hard. I am so happy for you. Congrats!!!

Thank you so much Cheri... I appreciate that more than words can say :laugh: Have a great weekend!!!

I think if Obamas healthcare plan gets passed then we will be struggling to get WLS even with our own insurance plans. Thats why I am doing this now, and not waiting any longer.... Just my opinion...

ShrinkingV - Congrats!!! You are so fortunate!!! I have Anthem BCBS PPO of Va and I didnt think it would take them long to approve me.... I worry maybe my drs office didnt send in the paperwork...but thats a common fear on this site...lol.... gV

Did you call Cigna and ask them if it was in their system yet? Or did they say the same thing - it could be under Review - nothing is documented yet? Good luck to you, I hope you hear something soon!!!

Congrats! I am so happy for you... I am still waiting for insurance to get the paperwork...

Hey Froggie... Did you ever hear of your approval? My surgeons office sent it in last Friday 9/4/09 but the insurance said they have no record as of yet, but that doesnt mean they didnt get it--- it could be over at medical review... It is soooo frustrating playing this waiting game... I am so anxious... just trying to be patient and praying for an approval!

Hi Everyone... I would like to request prayers please. My surgeons office sent in my paperwork last Friday and my insurance company said it may be with Medical Review but they dont have any actions showing anything. I am just nervous. I know it takes some time and I am so anxious to get this surgery done. Thanks!!!

Hey there! I went to one support group... I have not been banded yet, but I am hoping for a surgery date in September. My paperwork was sent to insurance a week ago and I havent heard anything as of yet... I cant wait to get this surgery! How long did it take you to get approved? I have Anthem BCBS PPO of Va...