Just had to share (as no one other than my husband = and you guys:tongue:!) knows that I am going in for lap band surgery.

Lodged my APRA Application Friday 15 January, 2010 and YES 12 working days later - APPROVED:eek:. No further info required. Phew....

Now I can go ahead and confirm my surgery for the 25th February (yes THIS MONTH :-0) and begin my pre surgery diet next Thursday the 11th.

:sad:AND no more sleepless nights wondering if it's going ahead..

Anyhow, just thought I'd share!

Think Thin Thoughts,

Tracey:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

wow that is so soon! congratulations!!!

i cant wait till i am eligible for it

Hey alycejo... Thanks - can you believe that I got a call from my Dr's office today asking if I could bring my operation forward to 12 February, 2010 - not quite ready for that - need to do my 2 weeks of pre-op shakes, and have arranged my time off work and hubby has too (he will be home for me the whole week after the op - and to distract the 3 year old daughter!).

You asked in your reply what APRA was? - Funny it showed up in the email notification I got but doesn't seem to be in the post?!?!?

APRA is the Australain Prudential Regulation Authority and they regulate all Superannuation monies in Australia. You can make application to them to have funds released early from your superannuation on hard ship grounds = your doctors need to provide letters stating that you are suffering from a life threatening condition and the operation is not avaialable through the public system (which is the case). Even with Private Health Cover you will have out of pocket expenses - for my surgery, hospital costs, aneathetist (oops spelling) and follow up consults for a year with dietician, psychologist and specialist for fills etc my out of pockets would be $6,200. As I don't have that sort of money I have made application for that money to be released early from my super. APRA have approved my claim and I am just waiting on the original letter which I send off to my Super company with their specific release form and they deposit the money directly into my bank account. Don't mind doing this as the long I am here and can work for me and my family the more I can put into super at a later stage.

Your six month wait will go like a flash.... just kepp thinking positive thoughts!

Cheers, Tracey

Congratulations ...

I went to my first seminar held by the Doctor here that does the surgery , I was very impressed..and calling tomorrow to make an appointment and hopefully March April I will be able to have the proceedure done too...

I have to call HCF to see if they cover (private fund) some do and some do not so it was said...fingers crossed they do cover it....

I will have to follow your progress as hopefully I won`t be far behind you...

Well done I am happy for you....

Just had to share (as no one other than my husband = and you guys:tongue:!) knows that I am going in for LAP-BAND® surgery.

Lodged my APRA Application Friday 15 January, 2010 and YES 12 working days later - APPROVED:eek:. No further info required. Phew....

Now I can go ahead and confirm my surgery for the 25th February (yes THIS MONTH :-0) and begin my pre surgery diet next Thursday the 11th.

:sad:AND no more sleepless nights wondering if it's going ahead..

Anyhow, just thought I'd share!

Think Thin Thoughts,

Tracey:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Hi5!

thats awesome! i got approved by APRA also, was about 2 weeks ago and my surgery is scheduled for 10th march. But of course my sueranuation fund still hasnt processed my claim yet but have assured me it gets priority cause its a compassionate grounds claim..Meanwhile theyve had it for over a week so i'd hate to be on the slower list

I then had to call the hospital to tell them that im not going to be able to pay upfront like private hospitals expect, but the ppl there were lovely and called my supperannuation and got reassurance from them that the cheque (oh yeah, thats right, a chequ which will take even longer) will be written out in their name. One of the ladies in the office told me that there was a patient about 2 months earlier who was also approved by APRA, so they went ahead and proceeded with his surgery thinking that the money was going to be there within the next week...and the bugger didnt pay them..its been over a month and he jut hasnt bothered to try and pay them! Anyways i hope all is well with you and look forward to hearing how youre going so far :thumbup:

Now I can go ahead and confirm my surgery for the 25th February (yes THIS MONTH :-0) and begin my pre surgery diet next Thursday the 11th.

How are you doing ..?? I had my band fitted on 24th February ...No problems at all feeling great on my Musshies now can`t wait to start to chew on REAL food again......

Best of Luck to all who are yet to be banded...