Hey All...glad to see I'm not the only one consisdering Lap Band. I suppose this is as good of place as any to start investigating and getting the 'real story' on the what's and hows', etc. of the LB surgery!

Please forgive me in advance for any stupid questions I may ask; or questions that must have been asked a thousand times already. I am trying to gain as much knowledge as possible.

WHERE DO I START?

I have a 'intro' meeting tonight that the doctors are holding at a hotel. That's where I believe they're going to try and 'sell' the procedure to myself and others in the general public. I know that is where to start. But in terms of me getting other medical attention for insurance approvals...will they let me know all of this tonight? I know I have to go for psychatric evalutation, etc. Do I just go and seek that out myself? OMG - SO many questions I have. Don't want to bombard anyone. Just want to know; where to start!

I have a 'intro' meeting tonight that the doctors are holding at a hotel. That's where I believe they're going to try and 'sell' the procedure to myself and others in the general public. I know that is where to start. But in terms of me getting other medical attention for insurance approvals...will they let me know all of this tonight?

Hi Sherilynn - and WELCOME!

Yes, the seminar's are a general way of getting the ball rolling. My suggestion is to contact your insurance company and ask THEM if they pay for weightloss surgery - and in particular, the Lap Band procedure. Its usually a yes or no answer.

If its a YES answer, then the next question to your insurance should be, HOW DO I GET APPROVED? Different comp's require different 'qualifications' for approval. My insurance gave me a list of about 5 things to gain this approval, for instance: MD documented attempts of failed diets (diet pills/programs) for at least 6 months, physc. eval OR nutrictional consultation, a letter of recommendation from at least 1 MD. Having health conditions will certainly help gaining approval, like, having HBP, diabetes, sleep apnea.

I suggest keeping close contact with your insurance AND surgeons office just to make sure everyone is on the same page

Good luck and let us know if there's anything else.

Hi Paula,

Thanks so much for the advise. I have not been working with my doctor at all with regard to weight loss. I suppose I should start immediately? He knows that my back hurts, b/c of my large breasts and that I have indents on my shoulders. (My OBGYN). He knows I have high blood pressure. My cardiologist has been treating me for severe Mitral Valve Prolapse for about two years with medicine. I have a neurologist who has treated me for Pseduo Tumor Cerebri (known to be in overweight women), and I've done Weight Watchers about 6 times in 5 years...but never saved the books!!! And WW is not anxious to give me my information for documentation purposes. Wow...seems all will be against me, since I didn't do much documenting. Is there anything that insurance DOES want to hear, and "DOESN'T" want to hear???? I'm talking fluff???

hi it would seem you already have your 6 months for your docs apts , weight watchers has to give you your information, they can not refuse you if you have a record of when you started them or receipts thats a plus and you said your doc himself knows you been fighting this , talk to him about it because he will need to give you a statement to take to your lb doctor as well:nervous