Hey All,

Just started researching about a week ago, though I've thought about the LB for a long time... Just wondering what the entire process is? I know it varies depending on one's state/doctor/hospital/insurance/etc. But from start to finish, what am I looking at here? This is what I know so far:

1. Visit a doctor (But who? a general practitioner? Or go to a LB seminar?)

2. Tests

3. More tests... Psych eval.

4. Submit for insurance approval

5. Schedule surgery

6. Pre-Op diet

7. Surgery

8. Post-Op diet

9. Fills, as necessary

I'd love to hear the process from others who have been/are going through it!

Thanks!

Also, I work full time Monday through Friday. Am I going to have to take a lot of time off to go through the process? Or have you guys generally found that this is easy to work around?

I started by going to a seminar.

My program/insurance required a minimum of 6 month of appointments before I was submitted to insurance. I was told the average patient goes for about 10 months before they have surgery. For me this was a great opportunity. In addition to nutritionist, phsyc eval, surgeon appt. etc that is required (I think many places do 3-4 of these in one long appt.) I had monthly group appointments that were a combination support/teaching group and a 1 on 1 appointment with a bariatric doctor. They would pull everyone out of the meeting one at a time for their doctor portion of the appointment. I started with the seminar in July 2011, was in the group appointments beginning in August and had all of my "requirements" done by February but wasn't really sure I was ready to be submitted for insurance (I still had to figure out how to pay my 20%). I was submitted and approved in March and had my surgery April 13th.

I started the process at 270 with a BMI over 46. By the time I had surgery I was down to 199.5 and a BMI a little over 32. I think going into surgery with that much of a weight loss made the surgery and recovery easier for me. I am lucky that my clinic offers everything they do. My insurance also goes by your weight/BMI at the beginning of the process. Some do not and you can loose too much and then not qualify for the surgery... Something to consider.

I am 6 weeks post op and have lost another 20 lbs although the last week I have just been hanging out at 179 +/- 1lb.

I hope this helps some!

Here's a pamphlet that may help and I agree with gotto. Seminars are great. Go to as many as you can to find the surgeon who fits you the best.

Click here: http://www.peachtreebariatrics.com/docs/Gastric-Band-Patient-Manual.pdf

tmf

I did the hernia band program since I had hiatal hernia and skipped all that. Kinda wishing they still made me see the nutritionist tho

never satisfied - could you explain the hernia band program?

never satisfied - could you explain the hernia band program?

The hernia band program is when they check for a hiatal hernia using the EGD and if you have one then they charge your insurance for going in and doing the hernia repair and you only pay for the cost of the actual band and the insurance picks up the dr fees, surgery cost and facility fees. So in essence I paid $5500 for my lap band. I didnt have to do any waiting, no testing, no evals, no counseling. Just scheduled and thats it. They say most obese people have a hiatal hernia. Heartburn, reflux things like that are indicitive of having a hiatal hernia

Hey All,

Just started researching about a week ago, though I've thought about the LB for a long time... Just wondering what the entire process is? I know it varies depending on one's state/doctor/hospital/insurance/etc. But from start to finish, what am I looking at here? This is what I know so far:

1. Visit a doctor (But who? a general practitioner? Or go to a LB seminar?)

2. Tests

3. More tests... Psych eval.

4. Submit for insurance approval

5. Schedule surgery

6. Pre-Op diet

7. Surgery

8. Post-Op diet

9. Fills, as necessary

I'd love to hear the process from others who have been/are going through it!

Thanks!

The lap band "journey" will vary if you are a self-pay patient, or having insurance cover the cost. There are also some differences between insurance companies. Some insurance companies require a 6 or 3 month medically supervised diet. Others make their decision on a case by case basis only.

I got my band surgeon's name from my primary care doctor (internist), and attended the information seminar at the hospital where the surgeon's practice is located. My PCP supervised the 6 month diet, and submitted the letter of medical necessity, along with 5 years of documentation to address my history of being overweight to the insurance company for approval.

There are a number of "hoops" to jump through, but all are part of the approval process and are screening tools also. I feel it is essential to have appointments with a dietitian so you can have some good education about your post op diet and supplements you will need. Many members of this forum have not had the nutrition education, and it is more difficult for them at least in the beginning to understand how much and what they should be eating and drinking.

My surgeon also has an exercise physiologist who tracks the amount of "fat weight" vs "muscle weight" you are loosing, so there is a more precise measurement of your BMI. Fills are done usually every 6 weeks as needed, beginning 6-8 weeks post op. When you reach what is commonly referred to as your "green zone", you technically will not need any fills for some time, though this varies widely between patients.

There were several medical reasons my surgery needed to be delayed, but I was able to finally get my medical clearance for the surgery, and had the pre op appointment and surgery scheduled within a month of my insurance company approval.

I guess the bottom line is to research the success rate of the surgeon and the hospital program before getting involved with the surgeon's practice. My doctor is part of a bariatric "Center of Excellence", and I have benefited from having comprehensive pre op and post op treatment.

Good luck with your decision process!