I have Aetna POS and I initally went in for Lap Band as I had never heard of the sleeve, but in the middle of my nutritionalist visits I was told about it from a friend. But anyway, my question is I had the Dr. office call and I am covered 100% for lap band and the sleeve no copays or deductables. I have my last nutritional visit the 4th of Dec, do you think I will get rejected and have to go through the appeal process? I have done all of my PSYC, Phyysical, and even had a stress test done and I didnt know if anyone has had any problems if they are covered 100% or not. I was also wondering what the average time from approval to the point where you can set a date is, and this is my first post. I have never heard of this site before but I was on lap band talk and was reffered here, looks like I can get a lot of my general questions answered here with a little reading, but hello all and thanks for reading!

I got the call from Dr. Carter's office and Aetna shot down the sleeve for me anyway. They are still approving my lapband procedure but I do not want it. I am 6 days away from heading to Tijuana to see Dr. Almanza. I hope you get your sleeve procedure approved through Aetna. With my luck, as soon as I get it done in Mexico they will change their mind and it will be approved.

Bill

Wingrider I am sorry to hear that. I turned everything in an they now want another month of supervised dieting, having a really hard time with it and have gained weight every time I have gone in to weigh. I have decided to go through all of this at the wrong time of the year for sure.

Hey,

Don't feel sorry for me. I am happy with the way things are going for me. I have the money right now, I am happy with my choice in doctor, and will let the cards play out the way they are supposed to. I don't think your weight gain has anything to do with the time of year. I too have gained weight, and I think it is more psychological than anything. Every meal has been my last time to have this type of thing, you know. I was thinking these thoughts three months ago, LOL. I wish I could have had the surgery three months ago but travel plans wouldn't let me. My time is coming, and your's is too.

Bill

Well I recieved a call from carters office and was told they were wrong about the sleeve, aetna believes it is dangerous and too new so they don't cover it. Sucks for me because I am not looking forward to getting the band, I mEan I will be content and do everything I can with it but really hoping for the sleeve. But like you said, it has to be a psycological thing withthe weight gain because I cannot diet nor get to the gym, every time I try i cannot stay on it and I too eat like it is my last meal. If you don't mind can you let me know the cash price for the surgery, you can send in pm if you like but I wonder because dr Carter charges 12,000 for th sleeve and I don't want to pay that much. Good luck and please keep us all informed on your surgery and be safe!

Man I am sorry. I was wondering why you were getting a different story, because I have talked with at least 4 different people at Aetna and have all told me the same thing. They consider it experimental.

I am going to Dr. Alamnza in Tijuana. I am paying $5,000 for the procedure. There are several other doctors in Mexico that are between the 5k and 9k mark. I have read the good and the bad posts about Dr. Almanza so I am going into this aware of the wide range of experiences with this facility. My Dad is going with me, so the airfare added another grand, and I figure at least $500.00 spending money getting there and back, so less than $7,000. I will certainly put up a post about my experience as I am there and when I get back.

The 12K you got quoted is less than what local Dr's here in Austin want.

Bill