Started considering WLS 7 years ago. Won't do RNY, too afraid of all the re-routing and the malabsorption issues, so considered lapband. After doing all the steps for insurance (sleep study, Dr-supervised diets, psych eval), I decided lapband wasn't quite right for me either, but continued seeing my PCP every 3 months, and using my CPAP ever since.

Now 7 years later, after discovering the gastric sleeve, I've decided this is the best route for me. Insurance told my surgeon they only needed a lust of the diets I've done in the past 5 years, a 5-year weight history, and maybe a couple other things, all of which I did within a week of my first visit to the surgeon (3/13/13).

Two days ago, my surgeon's office called with my approval, and scheduled me for next Tuesday, 4/9/13. YAY!

Today, the office calls again....Oops! The approval the insurance sent with my name on it actually was for SOMEONE ELSE! And now the insurance company says they want a 6-month Dr.-supervised diet and another psych eval. (none of which they had listed when my surgeon submitted for approval) What, seeing my PCP every 3 months for SEVEN YEARS isn't enough?

Forget it! I've made this decision, I'm ready for this now, I'm not waiting 6 months! Besides, I've already gotten the letter from my insurance carrier saying that thanks to Obamacare they are dropping ALL group insurance policies in December, so who needs them, I'm going self-pay!

I want this! Surgery next Tuesday! Onward!

Yeah I had to do the 6 month diet too. Took me 2 years to get accepted. The 6 months actually went by quickly and helped me to learn my diet I will need after surgery.

Sorry you had to go through all of that, and good luck with your surgery and your journey here on out

Sorry your insurance is giving you the run around. Mine wouldn't pay for it either. I just commented on another post about this. I'm self pay and am still making payments. No regrets! Good for you and good luck!

Insurance companies sure do suck sometimes don't they?? Good for you that you are going ahead w/o them and happy that you have the self-pay option.

I do not have insurance, so I am self pay (I am having surgery Monday and it's actually paid for already). I am so happy I did not have to deal with an insurance company, and having to wait for approval! I did have to do a five month diet though. I've lost almost 70 lbs on it!

Good for you! I have a hard time staying on diets that long, and I'm hoping the sleeve is just the tool to help keep me on track and basically physically unable to go back to my old habits of overeating.

If there is just no room, I can't shovel it in, right?

I am sooo looking forward to all the benefits of losing this weight!

Good for you! I have a hard time staying on diets that long' date=' and I'm hoping the sleeve is just the tool to help keep me on track and basically physically unable to go back to my old habits of overeating.

If there is just no room, I can't shovel it in, right?

I am sooo looking forward to all the benefits of losing this weight![/quote']

Just remember you still have to be careful about *what* you choose to eat, even if the sleeve helps control the quantity. The tool won't work so well if all you eat is slider foods that will go right on through, or high calorie low nutrition foods.

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So if your self paying are u going to use the same suergen or a difrent one?

Same surgeon. And when I went to self-pay, he actually came down on the price a bit.

If you end up self paying and then its approved maybe they will reimburse you..big maybe