*miranda*

So I called my insurance company directly and of course the women was kind of rude when I told her I had some questions to ask about coverage of surgical weight loss procedures. She said they don't even show where anything has been submitted on my behalf. Thankfully I have an appointment with my primary care physician on Friday. It kind of sounds like she has to refer me for a surgical weight loss procedure.

Hello everyone. Miranda from Deland, FL. I am 26 years old and am hopefully going to have the Lapband by the end of the year. I have been researching this option for almost 2 years now. I am currently 245 lbs and at my heaviest have been almost 260lbs and I am only 5'3 so my BMI is around 43.4. My surgeon's assistant said that it looks hopeful that my insurance company will approve my surgery so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I have tried pretty much every diet I can think of and even changed my eating habits and started working out 2-3 times a week during my hour lunch instead of eating and to no avail have failed to lose and keep any weight off. I attended my seminar on 07-28-2009 and submitted my potential patient paperwork for the surgeon to review and to submit to my insurance company. So far this site has been amazing to read through and have so many questions answered. Looking forward to continue to learn more.

Got some pretty disheartening news today. Called the surgeons office to make sure they had submitted my paperwork to my health insurance company and she said they had but from her experience dealing with Florida Healthcare Plans that they usually do not cover the LapBand surgery only gastric bypass. I'm going to be crushed if they deny it.

Wow those are all certainly inspiring reasons to make a change. I haven't been banded yet but one of the main deciding factors for me was being able to be healthy and safe during pregnancy and childbirth. I had contemplated the lapband and or gastric bypass for years but not having quality insurance or a well paying job it just was not feasible and I always told myself when I got into a secure financial position and a secure relationship I would go for it. Other things attributed to my wanting to become more healthy. Both of my parents are currently obese and struggle with obese related illnesses on a daily basis. My grandmother was also obese until about 2000 when she got breast cancer, she later got uteran cancer and then bone cancer that spread through her blood and organs and i lost her Oct '08 after a long and hard battle. She always reminded me that I needed to do what I could to lose weight so I would be able to see my own grandchildren. I got married in April '09 and am finally in a secure job with good insurance and my husband and I have decided it is time for me to change my life around.

On July 28th I went to the required seminar and met my surgeon. I submitted all my potential patient paperwork and am now praying for insurance to approve the surgery. I can't wait to find out!