Hi everyone,

I am so glad I found this site. This has already given me valuable information. I am hoping to get the lap band surgery. My BMI is 40 and I have comorbities.

All my life I've weighed 130 pounds and ran 51/2 miles a day for over 20 years. In 2009 I got a severe back injury at work. Also, I was fired about a year later because I couldn't work as hard. I've gained almost 100lbs. Worker's Comp has screwed me for three years. I have a lawyer and we will be going to court soon. I believe I will get a good size settlement. I deserve it.

I just found out bc/bs of IL denied my surgery. I am not sure it was an out and out denial. They said I didn't have documentation of a behavior modification program. Yes I do. I met with the dietician and we set goals. They wanted to know about my exercise plans. They also wanted what plan I was going to use, like Weight Watchers. I simply plan to join a lap band support group..

The one thing they didn't ask me about was any blood tests. I am going to call the insurance lady at the doctor's office in Chicago to find out why she didn't include all the information my insurance needed. She assured me at my consultation that she worked with bc/bs all of the time and knew how to submit the correct information. Either she did not do her job, or bc/bs of IL doesn't want to pay for my surgery.

Tammy M

Don't give up Tammy! Appeal if you have to. I was self pay because my insurance didn't cover WLS. But, it was the best 10K I ever spent. I love my band!

In the mean time hang around this site and meet all the crazy loving bandsters! Read about the successes and the failures, learn the band rules (you'll need them) and everything else.

My fingers are cross for you, good luck!

Good luck with both fights!

I also had to fight for disability retirement, still in the works.

Welcome to LBT...wishing you success on your journey....