abraxasbear

Other people on this list with my same insurance seem to get their answer anytime between the same day and nine days, so we'll see! :smile2:

Congrats on your approval! I hope mine comes through that fast!

I had the consults, etc., done three weeks ago, but it took me a FULL MONTH to get earlier doctors' offices to provide the records that federal BCBS requires for a five year weight history. I finally had to essentially BEG one clinic office manager to copy the 2005 records they had received from an earlier doctor (one who had my records in storage, and didn't want to pull them out!). :thumbup: The begging paid off though, and she let me pick up the copied records this morning. Now it's all delivered to my surgeon's office, and they can finally submit to insurance. Assuming federal BCBS earns their reputation for quick approval, I have a surgery date for November 1st!

I had the consults, etc., done three weeks ago, but it took me a FULL MONTH to get earlier doctors' offices to provide the records my insurance requires for a five year weight history. I finally had to essentially BEG one clinic office manager to copy the 2005 records they had received from an earlier doctor (one who had my records in storage, and didn't want to pull them out!). :thumbup: The begging paid off though, and she let me pick up the copied records this morning. Now it's all delivered to my surgeon's office, and they can finally submit to insurance. Assuming my insurance (Federal BCBS) earns their reputation for quick approval, I have a surgery date for November 1st!

I'm 5'8" tall, 335 pounds, and turning 44 years old as I prepare to be banded. As part of this, I'm looking forward to getting into serious weight training--the one "athletic" activity I've ever really enjoyed. I'm wondering, though, whether the restricted food intake will support it. Can you get enough Protein to keep up with the ongoing muscle repair, and ideally start adding muscle? I understand that my focus should probably be on the wide range of health benefits I'll get from losing the weight. To be honest though, the last thing I want is to lose 100+ pounds, just to become a scrawny, pencil-necked weakling with chicken legs. :thumbup: Has anyone else here been able to start packing on some "lean beef" after banding?

How long does the approval last--is there a time limit, before you have to go through the process all over again? I go in this Thursday for my surgical consult, psych eval, and dietician visit, but no matter how quickly BCBS moves, my work responsibilities mean I won't be able to schedule surgery until November.

BCBS Basic apparently gave the preliminary approval, and I just got the appointment for my initial consult, psych, and dietician visits--all set for August 12th!

I'm also on Fed BCBS Basic. My surgeon mentioned during the initial seminar that he had worked with and *for* BCBS in the past, so I asked him afterward about the federal program. He said it was the *best* BCBS for approvals and he had seen very good cooperation from them.