Hi all in western mass. I am waiting to hear from the OPM in my final appeal (been denied twice by insurance). I hired Attorney Gary Viscio to handle this part of it. Since this process is entirely too stressful, I went ahead and scheduled my surgery. Right now I am considered self pay and will have that changed if the appeal is processed and is sucessful. No, i really don't want to be out of pocket all that money, but I just can't wait anymore. I stopped smoking and gained another 12 pounds! I can't wait to start my new chapter!

I'm not from Mass. but welcome from Texas. Congrats on your band date and stopping smoking. I am working hard on that.:eek:

Wishing You The Best

Welcome to LBT, I'm so proud of you for giving up smoke no matter what happens next you've already started a healthier life. I understand your need to just get the surgery planned, I felt such great hope from the minute I got my date.

You're going to do great!

Tammy

Hi all,,, I've been looking into this, as my personal Dr. thought it was a good idea, I go to the seminar on Aug. 3rd,,,,kinda excited and nervous about the whole thing. But @ 380 lbs,,,,, it's time I do some thing.

Good for you congrat on taking a major step to a healthier you.

Is your Dr Dr Haag?if he is he is wonderful I had my lapband done on May 12 and so far have lost almost 29 pounds I feel wonderful.

The surgery was great and I was back to work in2 weeks some people go in earlier it depends...you will see the change in yourself everything around u changes..

Good luck and keep in touch with your progress...

I don't have a L.B Doc as of yet,, I have to go to the seminar on Aug 3,2006,, Dr. Haag is the name I found on here, and is nearest to my town, and is all so the office I called to get the ball rolling.

Love,Luck & Hope to all

I struggle with smoking also, stoped for 2 1/2 months and slipped but back on the patch and getting on the horse again.

good luck to you

a better life for all

Why can't any of this go smoothly? The OPM is not responding to any calls for an update on the insurance appeal. They took forever to log it into the system and were supposed to give me a control number within 5 days. Have I even gotten that yet? Noooo! I had to come up with $17000 because I am scheduled for surgery onAugust 4th. I guess I could have waited to hear from the OPM and their decision on the appeal, but I have been slogging through the insurance procedure since March and made the decision to not wait any longer. I am at the edge of my patience and extremely nervous about everything.

For anyone interested in self pay cost, just want to let you know that Baystate is $11000, the surgeon is around $4500 and the anesthesiologist(sp?) is around $1500. I'm still hoping the appeal will be overturned and the insurance will reimburse me but I'm scheduled for Aug 4th and looking forward to the day. Not waiting anymore to hear on the appeal (3rd one) was the best thing I did. I didn't realize what an effect all the paperwork and waiting had on my mood. When I had enough and booked the surgery, all the anger, anxiety and depression that built up from all the delays and "denied" ended. They have no idea how they affected me once I finally made the decision to be banded. They(Insurance) caused me a great deal of stress and my health, both physical and mental, went straight to hell. I came right back when I booked the sugery as a self pay and my mood is upbeat and happy again. My headaches and heartaches are gone and I am looking forward to a healthy future.

new day

best of luck to you

Hello all. I'm banded finally and feel good. Went into surgery yesterday at 7:30 and was home around 6:30. Hubby went and got my prescription for percocet filled and I really do need that today. I'm getting around well, but still have pain. Nothing unbearable though.

Dr Haag was great and everyone at Baystate was wonderful.

congrats................newday

it does feel good to be started on our new life

Congrats!!!!! My best to you,,,, Hopefully I'm not to awful far behind you...