Hi everyone...I am in the process of getting a few tests done to submit to insurance to see if I will be approved for the sleeve! I am excited and nervous at the same time!

My surgeon is Dr Ciranle with www.lapsf.com...has anyone had him? I, so far, have loved him and his office staff!

I have blue cross insurance, and right on the cusp of 40 bmi...how quickly have any of you been approved? And have you all had good luck working with blue cross?

If any of you have any tips, words of wisdom, suggestions, and/or things to look out for, I would love to hear it all...good and bad! Thanks in advance!

I can't answer your questions about insurance or approval, but I know others will be able to.

I would however like to welcome you to the boards and hope you enjoy the members that are around. There are tons of people who can offer support, experience, tips, how to's, and what nots. I have found this forum to be supportive, exciting, thrilling, informative, caring etc. This has become my second home. We are so close nit that we literally share in each others journey's.

I wish you the best of luck with your journey. I hope things turn out well and you can start moving forward with your plans.

Ride those people like a Mule. Dig your heels in and kick when ever necessary. I have Anthem BCBS. Between them and the doc's office, I thought I would have a break down. Save every single piece of paper, receipt, letter, anything you get from them or the doctor. You may need it when you least expect it. Take names and numbers, kick, scream and threaten if you have to. They do not like to fork out the money; but you pay for it, so hold their feet to the fire. Mine has been an 8 month nightmare and it is still not over. But that is OK. I finally rode the insurance company until they got their end of everything fixed (I got a bill for $25,000 because they refused to pay for the surgery after it had been approved and I had the letter to prove it). Now if the hospital doesn't get their part done, I'm just going to have my lawyer give them a call. I have legal insurance too! (I paid them and the insurance paid them, but they are not crediting it. I am still getting bills, but they owe ME money.) It's a big, fat pain in the butt, but when it is all said and done, the results are worth it.

I have Empire BCBS through work and my surgical coordinator said that they are one of the best when it comes to approval. She sent the request on a wednesday and on Friday she called me that all had been approved and my surgery was scheduled for two weeks later. I was told that the faster they get all the required info such as the primary drs recommendation, the ugi results, psych evaluation the faster you get approval. I started my journey in May 2,2012 and was sleeved July 2, 2012.

I can't give you any insurance advise that wasnt offered, except to say insist on corresponding through emails, and when you DO talk to someone over the phone send an email "to follow up on what was said".

Get reciepts!!!! I am challenging abotu 2500$ in bills right now either due to them trying to double dip, or my surgeons office error.