Hi everyone,

I am wondering what is required after insurance is approved? I saw my surgeon on July 9^th, I was cleared by my PCP 7/8, nutritionist on 7/10 and the psychiatrist on 7/17. Everything was sent to BCBS on 7/22 and I have been calling them every day since for status updates…..pending. I meet all the requirements since my BMI is > 40 no supervised diet period, so I am confident I will be approved. I’m just wondering what else I will have to do before I can have my surgery? I know I will have to see the surgeon again, probable some blood work and I have been avoiding sugar like it is a plague (to shrink my liver). I’m concerned because I have to travel for work out of town for 2 weeks in September, home for 1 week and then the whole month of October. I will not be back in town for 30 days in October. I am afraid I will be approved but will not be able to have the surgery in time to recover before I have to leave , if that is the case I will not be able to get my band until November

After insurance is approved the only thing required is setting up your surgery daye and any diet prior to the surgery your dr wants you on. The diet isnt to lose weight more so to shrink yiur liver to make the surgery easier

Also recovery is pretty quick only bad thing about travel is you won't have the essential things to eat after surgery like your puree food. I was back at work 2 days after surgery

I traveled for work whilst in the liquid and soft foods phased. Protein shakes and yoghurt got me through. Fortunately it was also winter so soups was an option.

Being out of town for the whole month of October might be tricky in terms of food progression (liquids, mushies, solids), follow ups with the surgeon, possible band issues, even fills. While I'm sure you would prefer to be banded sooner than later, it might behoove you to wait till after you are back home.

Thanks everyone

IveyinKY

You mentioned in your post that you didn't have to do the 6mos supervised diet because of your BMI? I just want to clarify because I have BCBS too and I was told by my Lap Band clinic I had to do the 6mos and my BMI is over 40 too

I think there are different plans because I have BCBS and my BMI is 35 and I didn't have to have supervised weigh ins. Only took 2 weeks and I was approved. I've been told some plans require it and some don't. Hope you hear something soon! And good luck:)

I can't imagine traveling on this pre-op diet, or especially traveling on the post-op diet. Best of luck to you, keep pestering the insurance, fortunately mine was approved in 4 days, and my surgery is two months to the date of my first orientation meeting.

After insurance is approved the only thing required is setting up your surgery daye and any diet prior to the surgery your dr wants you on. The diet isnt to lose weight more so to shrink yiur liver to make the surgery easier

I Agree with Rob; after my insurance co approved me I was in surgery within 2 weeks.

Hi everyone' date='

I am wondering what is required after insurance is approved? I saw my surgeon on July 9[sup']th[/sup], I was cleared by my PCP 7/8, nutritionist on 7/10 and the psychiatrist on 7/17. Everything was sent to BCBS on 7/22 and I have been calling them every day since for status updates…..pending. I meet all the requirements since my BMI is > 40 no supervised diet period, so I am confident I will be approved. I’m just wondering what else I will have to do before I can have my surgery? I know I will have to see the surgeon again, probable some blood work and I have been avoiding sugar like it is a plague (to shrink my liver). I’m concerned because I have to travel for work out of town for 2 weeks in September, home for 1 week and then the whole month of October. I will not be back in town for 30 days in October. I am afraid I will be approved but will not be able to have the surgery in time to recover before I have to leave , if that is the case I will not be able to get my band until November

One of the best things I have done was given a NUTRIBULLET for my birthday July 10th. And it helps me daily to eat correctly as I do two Nutriblast shakes a day with whey Protein Ibsolate.

My date was moved up to Aug 14 so I will be on soft food for the first 3 days of my trip then regular food as tolerated. I am luck to be traveling with a good friend and by car. I plan to take a small cooler with me. Thanks everyone!