I have a question for everyone who had the lap band already. I just went to the first initial meeting this past Thursday. I have an appointment to see the surgian in september. In the meeting they said I had to have six consecutive visits (6 months, once per month) with my pcp just to talk about what I'm doing to lose weight. I don't understand this, for the whole reason I'm getting this done is because nothing is working for me. Is this really the case or is it just to see if we are dedicated? AND if this is the case why do they have me meeting with the surgian so soon?

Hi Fabulous....Im not banded yet either but i met with my surgeon and have just finished all my pre-op testing AND 6 month supervised diet with my PCP. It seems like many insurance companies require this...for different reasons as a requirement for possible approval. Basically, you need to visit your PCP to be weighed in by your DOCTOR and discuss/implement a weight loss program and exercise program. I pretty much maintained my weight during the 6 months (up and down a pound or two here and there). My surgeon's office gave me a form that the doctor had to fill out each of the 6 months that will be submitted to the insurance company with the tons of other reports from all of the testing that I had to go thru.

Hope that helps....good luck...it does seem like a lot to go through...i'm just trying to focus on the end goal of getting banded.

Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the insurance company unless you self-pay....i've jumped thru all of the hoops and within the next week or two will have all my stuff submitted and i hope and pray, like many others before me, that i will receive insurance approval without any problems...

...good luck!

I believe it's an insurance requirement for most..Some have to do the supervised diet even longer than 6 months, but that seems the average. Sometimes they can use prior weight loss attempts like W.W. hospital supervised diet programs, medical WL etc..because that is documented proof that you've tried and failed. Your probably meeting the surgeon so that he can answer any questions you might have prior to surgery. And it also takes time to have the tests that they usually require prior to having a LB. Some tests that are done include ( vary) are a stress test, endoscopy, Phys eval. Good Luck.

Hi Fabulous....Im not banded yet either but i met with my surgeon and have just finished all my pre-op testing AND 6 month supervised diet with my PCP. It seems like many insurance companies require this...for different reasons as a requirement for possible approval. Basically, you need to visit your PCP to be weighed in by your DOCTOR and discuss/implement a weight loss program and exercise program. I pretty much maintained my weight during the 6 months (up and down a pound or two here and there). My surgeon's office gave me a form that the doctor had to fill out each of the 6 months that will be submitted to the insurance company with the tons of other reports from all of the testing that I had to go thru.

Hope that helps....good luck...it does seem like a lot to go through...i'm just trying to focus on the end goal of getting banded.

Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the insurance company unless you self-pay....i've jumped thru all of the hoops and within the next week or two will have all my stuff submitted and i hope and pray, like many others before me, that i will receive insurance approval without any problems...

...good luck!

X2

I believe it's an insurance requirement for most..Some have to do the supervised diet even longer than 6 months, but that seems the average. Sometimes they can use prior weight loss attempts like W.W. hospital supervised diet programs, medical WL etc..because that is documented proof that you've tried and failed. Your probably meeting the surgeon so that he can answer any questions you might have prior to surgery. And it also takes time to have the tests that they usually require prior to having a LB. Some tests that are done include ( vary) are a stress test, endoscopy, Phys eval. Good Luck.

X2

I have a question for everyone who had the lap band already. I just went to the first initial meeting this past Thursday. I have an appointment to see the surgian in september. In the meeting they said I had to have six consecutive visits (6 months' date=' once per month) with my pcp just to talk about what I'm doing to lose weight. I don't understand this, for the whole reason I'm getting this done is because nothing is working for me. Is this really the case or is it just to see if we are dedicated? AND if this is the case why do they have me meeting with the surgian so soon?[/quote']

I too have to do the 6month weigh in for insurance. I will have my 5th one done on Tuesday. One more to go and hopefully I will be on my way to a new me. I'm so excited!!! I'm also very glad I found this app. It has helped a lot.

I had a 6 month requirement from my insurance as well. At first I thought I was supposed to meet with my doctor but my actual medical group called me for placement in the classes. I went to one group class a month where we wrote down goals and marked progress from the previous month and got weighed in. On top of that I had 3 visits with a physical therapist and 2 visits with a psychologist. I did have an appointment with my surgeon in the beginning but nothing productive really came out of it except meeting her lol. The 6 month process goes a lot faster than you think. Good luck!

I had a 6 month requirement from my insurance as well. At first I thought I was supposed to meet with my doctor but my actual medical group called me for placement in the classes. I went to one group class a month where we wrote down goals and marked progress from the previous month and got weighed in. On top of that I had 3 visits with a physical therapist and 2 visits with a psychologist. I did have an appointment with my surgeon in the beginning but nothing productive really came out of it except meeting her lol. The 6 month process goes a lot faster than you think. Good luck!

Yes it does seem to be going by fast. At first I wasn't losing anything on the low carb high Protein diet but the past couple months I've seen great progress. I weighed 293 at first appointment with surgeon and now I am at 270. So I'm trying to change my lifestyle and I'm so excited for surgery.