jalivia2

Sure! Just let me know when you're coming into town! :thumbup:

Hi SBeth - I go to my last nut visit on 3/19, then the final wait for insurance approval begins. I'm in Houston and could use a weight loss buddy too!

Sometimes it has more to do with your insurance. My insurance company covers WLS but not the initial consultation. They do, however, have some kind of scale of what a reasonable charge for that service should be. I was charged $235 for the initial consultation, then the doctors office submitted the bill to my insurance company. BCBS of TX determined that $180 was the reasonable cost for the service, and that's all they would allow them to charge me, so I had a $55 credit on my account that I applied against what I had to pay to have my EGD done.

I will be on a liquid diet for 5 days. My doc says the length of time you are on the liquid diet is directly related to the amount of fat around your liver.

I have BCBS of TX too and live in the Houston area. So far, I have only needed to have 3 nutritionist visits and a psych evaluation. I have 2 nutritionist visits left before everything is submitted for approval. Hopefully, I will be approved. I have a BMI of almost 42 with no co-morbidities.

I have the psychological testing and two more nutritionist visits left. Thanks for the encouragement!

Hi Shelly - my consult sounds like it was pretty much the same as Maggies, except that they had already verified my benefits with BCBS. Along with the packet of info for psych visits, bloodwork, etc they included a breakdown of what I should expect to pay for the entire process.

I just went for my initial consultation on Monday 1/11, but would like to join the group as well!

I'm not a 1/11 bandster, but I do go in for my initial consultation tomorrow! Good luck to everyone!

I mentioned to a friend that I begin the LAP-BAND® approval process in January, and she tried to talk me out of it and tell me that gastric bypass is so much better. I like the idea of a less evasive surgery and more gradual weight loss. What are everyone else's thoughts on this?

I am considering Dr. Alanis. Lady Zique, do you still feel that way about him. Should I ask about fills in the consultation?

Houston, TX here. First consultation on 1/11/10. I'm both scared and excited.