Hello everyone, My name is Dustin from Illinois.

Today was my consultation with the Surgeon. The consultation was very informative, and I am excited to get through the insurance process and get started. Anyone from Illinois been through the process with Blue Cross Blue Shield? I was wondering how long they take to approve the surgery after jumping through their hoops?

My BMI is 45 and I have tried everything in the past to lose weight. Obesity runs in my family, and I am tired of the struggle. I am looking forward to using the Lap Band as a tool to help me achieve a healthy weight.

Hey!!

I live in Indiana but I work in Illinois so I currently have BCBS PPO from Illinois. I had to go through 3 months of doctors visits, which included the following: 3 months with a weight loss doctor, one visit with a trainer, one visit with the surgeon, two visits with the nutritionist, a chemical stress test, a pulmonary test, and a EGD (stomach scope). All of that has to be done within the 3 month time frame. I also have to lose 5lbs. My last appt. for everything will be the 8th of April. I started this process in February. I was told that on the 8th they will submit my info to the insurance company and I probably wouldn't have an approval until end of May/beginning of June. I hoping for sooner!!!

What did you have to do?

Hello everyone, My name is Dustin from Illinois.

Today was my consultation with the Surgeon. The consultation was very informative, and I am excited to get through the insurance process and get started. Anyone from Illinois been through the process with Blue Cross Blue Shield? I was wondering how long they take to approve the surgery after jumping through their hoops?

My BMI is 45 and I have tried everything in the past to lose weight. Obesity runs in my family, and I am tired of the struggle. I am looking forward to using the Lap Band as a tool to help me achieve a healthy weight.

Hey!!

I live in Indiana but I work in Illinois so I currently have BCBS PPO from Illinois. I had to go through 3 months of doctors visits, which included the following: 3 months with a weight loss doctor, one visit with a trainer, one visit with the surgeon, two visits with the nutritionist, a chemical stress test, a pulmonary test, and a EGD (stomach scope). All of that has to be done within the 3 month time frame. I also have to lose 5lbs. My last appt. for everything will be the 8th of April. I started this process in February. I was told that on the 8th they will submit my info to the insurance company and I probably wouldn't have an approval until end of May/beginning of June. I hoping for sooner!!!

What did you have to do?

I have BCBS of IL PPO. I am required to have a 6 month diet within the last two years. They say they accept Weight Watchers and Nurtisystem as approved diets. I had been on both previously so I submitted receipts from those. They needed something showing that I have been treated for obesity in the past. I had records sent from another weight loss Dr. who had put me on phentermine for weight loss for three months. Also medical records from my primary physician showing my weight over the past 5 years. I had to see a nutritionist, a psychologist. I had to have blood work done. I had an upper GI and an EKG. I think the blood work upper GI and EKG were more for the surgeon than the insurance. I am hoping that all of my paperwork will be sent to the insurance company this week for approval. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be approved the first time.

My name is Terry and I live in Canada. I was banded in October 2010. I went down to Mexico to the Obesity Control Centre and had my surgery by Dr. Ortiz. It was a very good experience and in hindsight I am so glad that was the choice I went with. So professional and I think better than here. The entire facility is only for weight loss surgeries. Surgery is covered in Alberta but imagine the wait list. They said it could be up to 6 or 7 years because there are so few surgeons doing it. The price in Mexico was less than half ! My progress has been slow simply because to get fills here they will only do 1cc at a time. I have an 11cc band so you get the picture. There are no hoops to jump through, they take you as a patient. Something to consider. My BMI started at 38.5 and it is now down to 33. So slowly but surely.