Hi everyone! I am new to the forums and glad to be here. I am wondering if there are any recipients in Louisiana that might could give me some info. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield (HMO) and have not contacted them to see if the surgery will be covered. Traveling outside the US is an option, but scary! I would like info on MDs in the state, as well as any advise they can offer to help me qualify. I prefer not to have the surgery in New Orleans...where I live and work as a Nurse. I am worried that I won't qualify because my BMI is only 35...36 on a "good" day. I don't want to have to gain any more weight in order to qualify for the procedure. Also, I have co-morbidities, but do not receive any treatment for them. I am not sure what type of documentation the insurance companies require. I would love to hear from those that have had the surgery in Mexico...I want to know it all...the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am able to pay for the surgery myself if it comes to that. I would like to have the surgery ASAP so that I may resume a normal life. Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Hi Lisa

I live in Slidell, LA. My BMI before banding was 36 also. Insurance excluded bariatric surgery for me, so I had to self pay. I went to Mexico for my band, because I thought that Dr. Rumbaut was the best surgeon around, and the cost was exponentially less than having surgery in the states by a less experienced surgeon. I was totally pleased with the treatment I recieved, the hospital was very impressive. I am 5 weeks post op, and no problems so far. I have a couple of choices for follow up doctors here at home.

My daughter got banded by Dr. Lavin in Mandeville, her insurance covered it at 100%(Aetna), but she had to jump through all the hoops first, to prove co-morbidities. She has done very well since last November, has lost 60 lbs so far. If you would like, you can e-mail me and I'll be happy to let help you with anything and everything you would like to know.