My name Kelley I am form alabama and was banaded 11-2-06 by Dr. Black in Anniston. I Have lost 12 lbs so far. Would like to talk to other people in my area.

Hi,

I was banded Jan 11, 2008 in Boaz Al by Dr. Groves. Blue Cross covered my surgery but I had to first go to a Lap Band seminar, then have a doctor's supervised diet for 7 months. I also had to have a physical theraphy consult and go to a nutrition class and provide medical records for the past 5 years. I think it really depends on your particular insurance on whether they require all of that stuff. I do know that if it is self pay the surgery cost is $15,500 at Dr. Groves. Hope that helps.

Im glad to see a couple of people from my area on here. I was banded by Dr Britt in Albertville. He's great!!

Hey,

I'm glad to hear from someone else in my area too. I was very pleased with Dr. Groves. He even prayed with me before surgery!

I am 2 1/2 months into my 6 month diet now. Beginning of the third month is Feb 4. I went for my consultation on Thursday Jan 17 with Dr Miles at St Vincents East. I have to do the sleep study and the psych evaluation. My sister actually went for a consultation the same day, same doctor(we rode together). She doesn't have to do the psych evaluation. I was told that I have to do the psych eval because I currently take Paxil for depression. It kind of pisses me off that because I take anti depression meds I have to be evaluated to make sure I am "of sound mind" to make this decission but somebody who isn't on anti depression medication is automatically just assumed to be "of sound mind". But whatever-I will jump thru the hoops and get my band hopefully in June.

I'm hoping to have my surgery with Dr. Britt in March. I live in Huntsville. On average, how long does it take to get approved with BCBS after you've jumped through all the hoops

Hey,

In my case after I turned in all of the paperwork, I called the office 3days later and they said they didn't have my old medical records yet. I told them that I had already given them the records so they located them and submitted my stuff online. About 20 min. later they called and said I was approved! I went through a rollercoaster of emotions that day! Good luck with your band!

I was told that once you submit the paperwork it can take up to 30 days for approval. I don't know personally as I am only 2 1/2 months into the 6 month required diet. I hope to submit paperwork for approval by the second week in June and really hope to be banded by July.

Hello all, I'm from Marshall County Alabama. I had my surgery on Jan. 3rd. BC/BS of Alabama did pay for my surgery after I went to my Dr. for 6 months.

My Drs. office does not have a local support group so would appreciate any correspondence from others. Would like to hear how everyone is doing.

Heather, my ins. was approved in 2 1/2 hours after submission! Good Luck

Kat thanks for the info!! How are you feeling? How bad did you feel after surgery? How bad is the gas...I have seen some people say they had little gas pain and others say they felt like they were dying. I am more scared of the gas pain than the actual surgery.

Kellye:

I have not received my Lap-Band yet. I am working to get qualified with BCBS of AL. I have just completed my 6 month doctor directed diet as required by BCBS. I ahve also completed my consults with a nurtionist and a physcial threapist. I am just awaiting my surgery date. I will be using Dr. Britt and Dr. Groves in Guntersville. I hope to have a surgery date in the next few days. If approved, I assume I will have surgery sometime in February.

Andy

Kmarie:

BCBS of AL has been approving the Lap-Band surgery since April 2007. However, you have some hoops to jump thur.

1. Your BMI must be over 40 or over 35 with at least 1 of 3 qualifiers (Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes). My BMI is over 40 and I have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and High Blood Pressure. Due to my OSA, I have a trach.

2. You must have maintained a BMI of 35 with qualifiers or over 40 for the last 3 years. This is will be checked and verified by your surgeon & BCBS thur copies of your medical records you must have submitted by your doctors to the surgeons office. I was able to have my sleep doctor, my ENT, and my family doctor submit copies of my medical records for the last 5 years which I think helped.

3. If you meet 1 & 2, you must now complete at your expense a 6 month doctor directed diet with your family physician. During the diet, you must maintain a exercise and food journal to document your success or failure of the diet. This stage will require 7 monthly visits, scheduled at least 30 days apart with your family doctor. This is key as BCBS requires at least 30 days between each visit or it does not count. It cost me about $500 to complete this phase. I finished in December 2007. My family doctor knew why I wished to complete this diet program and was very supportive and understanding. My sleep doctor and ENT want me to get this surgery to help with my OSA.

4. Once complete with the diet, your surgeon can submit your paperwork to BCBS. BCBS will then require a consult with a physical therapist and a nutritionist. These consult visits are to teach you the exercise and diet plans you must follow prior to and after the surgery. I just completed this phase last week. I spent an hour showing I could do the exercises with the PT. I then went and spent the next hour learning how & what to eat. I am putting it to practice now. They say it takes 40 days to make or break a habit.

5. After the consults, your surgeon will re-submit the paperwork with the reports from PT and nutritionist. Now is the time to sit back and wait on BCBS. My surgeon tells me the approval can take any where from 24 hours (if submitted on-line) to 10 days. I am awaiting my surgery date. I hope to have a date later this week. I would think my surgery wold be sometime in February.

6. Final step is to get the surgery and start life a new.

I am using Dr. Britt of Marshall Surgical group from Guntersville. They provide a free seminar monthly at the Madison Surgery Center on Lanier Road in Madison, Alabama. They have surgery rights at the surgery center, Crestwood in Huntsville, Marshall Medical North in Guntersville, and Marshall Medical South.

I see you were planning on attending a seminar. Have you attended? Where do you plan to have this surgery?

Andy

I was banded in bham by Dr. scott pennington. wonderful christian dr. I was banded Oct 8 and have lost 44 lbs.:frown: great to have others in the same area.

I received the call today from my surgeon's office. BCBS of Alabama has approved my surgery. I need to complete my Pre-Op physical and class with my surgeon and his staff, which I will do on Monday, January 28. I should get a surgery date on Monday. I think I could have surgery on February 14. What a Valentine gift! I cannot hardly wait. :hurray: This has been a long process (nearly 9 months) to get to this point. I realize my journey is really just about to begin in earnest. I am ready for change.

Andy

These post are the first time i've heard of BC requiring a pt eval?? I printed the policy guidelines and its not mentioned. Is it new? I'm sure they don't pay for it. What all is involved?