Today I came across the phone number of the insurance company's medical reviewer (nurse) who approved my lap band surgery, and I picked up the phone and called her to say 'thanks'.

I told her I very much appreciated the opportunity to have the surgery, that my energy level is much higher, that I'm walking daily and have lost over 20 pounds so far, and that I can do more, and have already been able to reduce my blood pressure medication.

She said she had never had a patient call to say thanks before. She'd been having a bad day, and really, really appreciated my taking the time to call. Then she asked me to talk to her manager, which I did, also.

I'm thinking this is a chance to educate insurance company people on the benefits of Lap Band, and maybe the next person whose file gets put in front of her may have an easier time than folks whose reviewer doesn't know much about the procedure.

I think it is a great idea! I was selfpay but it couldn't hurt anything and it could definatly brighten a few peoples lives.

Wow, what a nice, thoughtful thing to do. Everyone deserves a thank you now and then.

That was really sweet of you. Some people believe taking home a paycheck is enough of a reward. But, to make your job truly "rewarding", hearing a genuine thank you from someone whose life you have improved goes a long, long way.

Wow! What a nice thing to do! I'm sure that it really brightened her day to know she made a difference in someone's life.

I also agree that it was a good opportunity to further the insurance company's understanding of lapband and the good that it does.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am going to follow your example once I have my surgery on the 23rd!