new@52

Good evening everyone, I need to lose 12 lbs before my surgery can be done. Well, I've not been successful at losing weight in the past. I guess if I had been I wouldn't be getting the surgery!! LOL That said, I'm looking for any tips you may have for losing this 12 lbs so I will be able to proceed with the surgery. The other thing I was wondering is, I hear of people going on a liquid diet, before surgery, is that to lose the weight so the surgery can proceed, or is that because you need to clean out so to speak your insides? I guess in a nut shell what I'm curious about is, will I have to lose 12 lbs and then have a 2 week liquid diet as well?

My information was sent into the BCBSNC last Wednesday, Nov 3rd. I am still waiting. I ran into the insurance specialist from the dr office at the grocery store last night, she said still no word. She also said that she is currently scheduling surgeries for Nov 22 right now. She also mentioned that the week before Christmas the Dr. is going to be out of town!!! This all makes for a smaller and smaller window of time for getting this done this year!!! Let me know when you hear from BCBSNC. Have you called them? I haven't. I guess I'm 'trying' to be patient!!!

That is my concern as well. I don't have any medical records from '06. My fingers will be crossed until I get word!

Thanks for the information. I appreciate you all taking the time to respond. I guess I am getting anxious. my insurance is BCBS of NC... I hope they are as quick as yours were! After you got approved, how long did it take to be scheduled for surgery? Cindy

I found out on Wednesday that my paperwork is finally being submitted!!! Yipee!!! I feel like I have been the one to keep calling the office, inquire on the status of the paperwork and such... and finally the day is here and it's been submitted. I know that by law, they need to give the insurance company 30 days max, but my question is....realistically how long did it take for you to get approved from the insurance company, or denial from your company? Thanks, Anxious in TN Cindy

Good evening all... I stopped by the Dr office today and asked if they could show me where I was in the journey to the LAP-BAND® and to see if they had on record what I have on record. They didn't. Some of this process has been confusing! As it turns out, I have completed EVERYTHING that I need to do on my part. The office insurance specialist even typed up the letter to the insurance company stating why I don't have medical records for '06. She was wonderful! Soooooo this means that Monday they will be submitting my information to the insurance company! yipee!! Any idea how long that the approval process will take? And after approval (note the confidence there!!) how long does it typically take to get to schedule the surgery? Thanks in advance for the info.

I think if the pharmacy doesn't have records, I will pick years 2001 and 2003 to add to '05, 07, 08, 09 and 10. Thanks, I'm not ready to throw in the towel, by any means. When you finally get to the place where you are fed up with the weight and summon up the courage to make a surgery your decision... you sure don't want not going to the Dr. one year four years ago to get in the way! thanks all.

Thanks, I hadn't thought of the pharmacy. I will check that angle tomorrow.

I just found out today that in my 5 year medical history I apparently didn't go to the Dr. in '06! I guess I was healthy that year!! Anyway, the office says that it may not qualify for the LAP-BAND® with my insurance company without having gone to the Dr. in '06. In '01 I have records where I was put on Merida and I have records where I was put on blood pressure meds in '03...and have been on them ever since! I need to know if anyone skipped a year in their 5 year med. history? I can go back several years, and have other qualifying issues so to speak, but just don't have anything on record for that one year. Anybody get approval without one of the 5 years? Can you skip a year? Thanks all!!