babyk

I am really upset. I am almost to the point of picking a surgery date and I found out today that a friend of a friend died today of complications from her lap band. Today I was going to sit my family down and tell them. They know of her as well. I brought it up to my grandma and she kept asking me why I need the lap band if I plan to eat healthy? Were suppose to have a family meeting tonight so we'll see how this goes. Any advice or points I should make?

i am really sorry to hear of your loss. stay strong and keep your head up. maybe go for a nice long walk to clear your head. think of all the good memories you shared with her. then treat yourself to a nice bubble bath. i'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

wow! i bet if feels so good!!! i can not wait to get approved by my insurance and start the journey with the rest of you!!! :cool:

so i went straight to the surgeon and they are handeling all of the paperwork for me :] i have to have a few tests done such as a cardiac clearance and UGI...along witht he nutritionist appt and psych eval. thanks for all the advice :]

sorry this took so long but i really appreciate everyone's replies.. i have to pay an $800 doctor fee and the rest of my deductible which is around $2,500 on the day of my surgery. this is alot of money but fortunately i will be able to take care of it. i do not have a co insurance. i am on my mom's insurance from her work. we have pretty crappy insurance to try and cut the cost of bills. (that's how it was explained to me by my mom) :]

thanks for all of the great advice, i really appreciate it! i told my mom and she was really happy for me in the sense that she thinks i would greatly benefit from having the lap band. although I really appreciate her support, she will support me in anything i do because she feels guilty. (she hasn't been much of a mom to me, my father was killed in a car accident in october and she is already dating, knowing it hurts me) anyways i do not mean to sound mean when i talk about her but she would never tell me she doesn't agree with anything i want to do.. my aunt on the other hand...my dad's sister. her and i have always been very close and she has been more of a mom to me then my mother. she is very opinionated and i am really scared of what i should say or do if she does not approve of me doing this. i am going to get the lap band (if i am approved by my ins.) regardless of what she says. i just know without her support it will be difficult.

wow great job everyone!!!!! keep up the great work!!!! <3

What was the date of your surgery? How healthy did you/do you eat? How much do you exercise? How much have you lost? Are you happy with your results? just curious :]

Thanks!!! My bmi was like a 39.1 i weighed in at 243 with clothes on. I'm 5'5

I plan on telling my family tonight. I really do not want to but I am going to have to because my mom is the subscriber on my insurance. I don't mind my family know I just don't want them to tell other people. Anyways I was wondering how I should tell them? I am only 20 so they still think I'm required to listen to them. (I live on my own, work full time and go to school fulltime)

I just got done with my consultation. I was told to gain a few pounds by next wednesday, when I go in for a few tests. I have to complete my psych eval. And my meeting the nutritionists. They are sch for july 21st and july 27th. After that they are going to submit my paperwork to the insurance company. I'm excited but still nervous. I haven't told any of my family and I have to pay $3500 by the date of my surgery

yayayayayayayay!!!!!! congratulations! <3

i have my consultation today. i am really nervous. i am afraid to say the wrong things. are there any type of "diets" or anything that would make the doctor feel that we wouldn't be a good candidate? for example, i have depression/anxiety problems. will that make me any less of a candidate? any help is greatly appreciated :]

I have my consultation tomorrow and I am really nervous. Any helpful tips? I'm scared of not saying the right things and saying the wrong things that will result in a denial from the surgeon. Any help is greatly appreciated.

i am going with a surgeon that is in my network. i have no idea why i have such a high deductible. it sucks! i go in for my consultation tomorrow....very nervous

good job! keep up the good work! :grouphug:

So I have my consultation with the doctor tomorrow. He will be the one to submit the paperwork to my insurance company. I am really nervous as to how to answer questions. I have been on every diet possible. I am an emotional eater, and over eater, and I have always been overweight.I have tried every "diet," i have tried eating healthy and exercise and NOTHING seems to work. I can lose the weight but it is only momentarily. With in months I end up gaining it back plus more. I don't know what things they do not accept as "valid answers." Can anyone give me any advice as to what I shouldn't say...i know that sounds silly but I am afraid to say the wrong thing.

SO I just got off the phone with the insurance company and I am a bit confused. I have Blue Shield/Blue Cross PPO insurance with a $6,000 deductible. I have already paid $3500 (for other medical stuff) Therefore, I have $2,500 remaining until I meet my deductible. The guy form the insurance company said that I would have to pay the $2,500 BEFORE the surgery (if I get approved) and that Blue Shield will pay anything after that. I am confused. I was always under the impression that I am obligated to the $2,500 but not until AFTER the surgery, when the bill comes????? Please some explain this to me. Also, I am assuming that my next step is to go to a surgeon that is "preferred" by Blue Shield to set up a consultation, where the surgeon can then submit a request for approval from the insurance company? is this correct?? any help is greatly appreciated.!!!!!!!! :grouphug:

I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPo insurance. I live in Los Angeles County and have a $6,000 deductible. I have already paid $3,500 this year in other medical expenses. Does anyone have any experience with this type of insurance? What was your outcome? Were you approved? If so, how long did it take for you to be approved? thanks :]

oo ok cool i'm so nervous and i haven't even done anything yet. haha thanks for the answers :grouphug:

I am attending a seminar on Saturday. What is the next step in this process? Contacting my insurance, or finding a surgeon and speaking with them first? any help is greatly appreciated :]

wow very helpful. thanks so much.

o ok...i see. well i'll call and hope for the best :thumbup: thanks for all the great advice

o wow great info thanks! i am not sure that i have had a bmi of 40 or higher for 5 years. however, i have been "overweight" my entire life. i did have one year where i was probably considered "normal weight" but i was in the gym 4 hours a day and starving myself. (stupid, i know) i hope this all works out

o wow! that's great. thanks :] best of luck to you please keep us posted!