Well I am 2 years out from my lapband surgery and decided that now I would like to have all of this extra skin removed.

I had an initial PS consult in February. My surgeon is Dr. Michael Beckenstein in Birmingham. I worked in surgery for 6 years and I really liked his work. He submitted the procedure to my insurance and it was denied. I was heartbroken. It turned out to be a blessing, because that is how I learned that my insurance would not cover any complication involving my band. (I had bc/bs which covered my band - then I changed jobs and switched to Viva). Luckily my HR department was not aware of this either and let me change to bc/bs (which is more expensive) before open enrollment.

Sooo I went back to Dr. Beckenstein last week and he is resubmitting all the paperwork to bc/bs. He see's no issues with getting them to conver the panni. The rest however I will have to pay for. Luckily it will only be $1,800. So I am okay with that. It was submitted earlier this week, so everyone please keep their fingers crossed that it will be covered.

I have been reading other stories on here and it really is helping with what to expect.

Hope everyone is well!!

Thanks!

I'm confused (maybe I'm so nervous about my upcoming lap and Mon 17th) that my brain is not functioning. You had Blue Cross Blue shield of Alambama?...they would not approve reconstructive sx??? and then you changed to Viva? Then you changed back to bcbs of Alabama?? and they did approve it?? I apologize.....I just want to understand being that I have bcbs of Alabama. It is through Lowes inc. Do you mind explaining. My thick skull did not take it in. Thank you so much:)

Sorry - I know it is confusing.

I had surgery May 6, 2008 - BC/BS covered the procedure.

November 2008 I changed jobs and insurance - swapped to Viva

February 2010 PS consult with Viva insurance - denied - That is when I learned that since Viva does not cover bariatric surgery - they will not cover any complications resulting from the bariatric surgery.

April 2010 - Switched back to BC/BS of Alabama

May 2010 - resubmitted panni request to BC/BS - pending

I had no problems getting BC/BS of Alabama to cover my lapband. I just think its funny cuz I have had several fills with Viva insurance and they paid for all of them. LOL - hopefully they won't figure it out and go back and make me pay for them.

Good luck with your surgery! It was the best thing I ever did for myself!

=)

Shawna

Fordgal,

Good Luck w/your approval, I have BCBS Basic Federal and they approved me for abdominoplasty and a panniculectomy. I was worried because I see alot of people messaging that insurance almost never approves these procedures especially the abdominoplasty. Well they do, I had no problems whatsoever!! I was approved within 2 weeks. I am also getting a belt lipectomy so I had to pay $1500. Update us on your Journey and again good luck to you!!! My surgery is next week May 19th, I can't wait!!!!