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Hey everyone,

I'm currently in the beginning stages of getting a lap band and I was wanting to know of any issues people have had with BCBS of IL. I've had my initial consultation last week and I have a psych eval, meet with a nutrionist and I get my physical all in one appointment. I was also wanting to know what to expect in this 3 in 1 appointment from everyone I'm going to meet. Thanks!!

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I have bcbs of IL and it was approved pretty quickly on my first try. I do have a couple comorbidities (sleep apnea and blood pressure). Good luck to you getting approved. Are you in the Chicago area?

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I'm from the Peoria area and going to have it done in Champaign if possible. I have a BMI of 44 and have high blood pressure. I heard of them being pretty quick and getting back to people instead of waiting and waiting.

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Yes I was approved pretty fast by my Blue Cross Blue Shield ***. Yes ***. Im very greatful.

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I was approved by bcbsil, the same day my paperwork was fax over. But I had to wait 3 days for my letter, to get my surgery date.

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

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That's good to know that they are pretty quick. I figured with it being the beginning of the year, it would go smoothly. I'm currently waiting on psych evaluation results and it should be submitted by the end of the week or next. Did BCBS give ya any problems?

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No problems from bcbsil

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

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Yeah hopefully everything goes smoothly. When did you get your approval?

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I had no problems with my bcbshmo. The office was great and sent in everything as they were supposed to! I had to do the 6mo pre-op consultations. When I was done with that I scheduled surgery right then after! My surgery costed almost $22,000 and I only had to pay $50 out of pocket! I couldn't believe it. Now I pay a $30 copay everytime I need a fill :) Good luck!! I am also in IL and had my surgery @ St. James in Chicago Heights, IL.

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Thanks Ash for the Info!! I'm having my surgery done in Champaign,IL and I am from Peoria,IL. I'm not sure how much mine is going to be but I heard a ball park number around 14000 since the place I'm going through does there surgeries out patiently. My paperwork is submitted to BCBS as of Wednesday this week and now its a waiting game!!

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WOW @ashcap. My surgery bill was 41000 her in Chicago. Good thing I was covered 100% and no copayment for the first 4 months for fills.

I received the bill in the mail and said to myself this cost more than having a c-section. My c-section was 33000 4yrs ago. WOW.

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Cripes. The total bills submitted to my insurance totaled $50K. Fortunately I had already met my deductible for the year and only had to meet the remainder if my out of pocket max of $2K so I only had to shell out $895 total. Was banded on 12/21/12 and have yet to pay anything for any of my follow ups or bloodwork. I had my surgery at St. Alexis in Hoffman Estates by Dr. Kane jr. From the Kane bariatric center.

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I am in Rockford and was approved twice by bcbsil and they sent a fax back on Tuesday the 16 and I was going to be banded on the 22 the first time it was the day before so best of luck to ya hope all goes well and as planed

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I am in Rockford and was approved twice by bcbsil and they sent a fax back on Tuesday the 16 and I was going to be banded on the 22 the first time it was the day before so best of luck to ya hope all goes well and as planed

That's pretty awesome Ashley! I got approved in a week after all my appointment's in the past 3 months. I have surgery on May 22nd.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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