Hi everyone! I made the decision over a year ago to have lap-band surgery (after doing my homework). I found a doctor I really liked (Dr. Brody) who agreed with me that the lap-band was the right procedure for me. I got all the documentation together, jumped through all the hoops... but Aetna continues to refuse to approve the procedure. So now I feel like it is important enough for me to self-pay. Has anyone else gone the self-pay route in Maryland? How much do these things cost around here? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!

Have a great weekend!

Pansy

Hello Pansy,

I am thinking about the lap band surgery also. I supposed to go to Dr. Rickford in DC try to call them and see if they accept Aetna. I had to change insurance companys. So good luck. Have anyone out there heard of Dr. Rickford at Providence Hospital.

Thanks, Pamela! Good luck to you too. Keep us posted on how you do with Dr. Rickford! I have my fingers crossed for you.

Pansy

Hi Pansy,

I am a self-paying Marylander. I made the trip up to Harrisburg, PA to Dr. Currie. My surgery was $13,650 and I could not be more pleased with my decision. I drive about an hour and a half to get there, but it is well worth the trip.

The office is pretty much a straight shot up I-83 from Baltimore and is an easy drive. He does fills and follow up appointments on Fridays and I often find that there are as many Marylanders in the waiting room as there are folks from PA. A few visits ago we were all discussing where we were from and most of the people in the waiting room drove an hour or more to get there. There are other doctors who are closer to home, but I have been extremely pleased with my choice.

Thank you so much Pansy. Talk to you soon.:clap2:

Hi - my surgery date is 4/20/07 at St Agnes in Baltimore. Surprisingly Aetna did not even bat an eye. I fulfilled my 6 month MD supervised diet and exercise and they approved the surgery within 3-4 days of submission of records. I was scheduled for the 3rd week of March but had to change it. My docs office said they are very rigid about the MD supervised 6 months but if you do that you should be ok. good luck

Congratulations Katschai!!

Hi Katschi!

My lap band was done @ St. Agnes 4/20/06. Same place- same day- just one year apart.

Pansy- I was self pay. Total cost was $15,000 and worth every penny!

Hi Pansy - I would love to talk with you. If you email me at kasepva@aol.com I will email you back with my phone numbers. Singh is doing mine. I am so lucky insurance will cover it!

Thanks

Kathy

Hi Katschai, Dr. Singh did my surgery August 29, 2006. It was the best decision that I have ever made and I :kiss2: LOVE Dr. Singh, he is the best!!! Congrats and good luck!!

Hello Pansy and all the Marylanders out there.

I finally went to Dr. Rickford, he said that I was a good candidate and the next step is to see a cardiologist and therapist. Oh! They want me to write a letter stating why I would like to have the procedure done and also state all of my diets that I have tried and failed. So after that they would send my information into BCBS for approval.

I spoke to a BCBS representative and they told me that they do offer the Lapband procedure and there is no wait time.

So I will keep you all posted.

Thank you all for the support.:clap2:

Pamela

This is my very first time on a message board... I am going to Dr. Singh and Averbach. They submitted to my insurance about a week and a half ago and I am just waiting to hear from them. IM excited and scared at the same time.

Nancy

Hello Nancy,

Good luck to you and I wish you well. Keep in touch and let us know how you made out.

Where is Dr. Singh and Averbach located?

Their office is located off Rt. 40 in Catonsville. They use St. Agnes hospital.

Welcome Nancy! I think everyone here has felt the same as you. It is exciting and scary, but wonderful to think of a new life, and a new YOU! Best wishes!

Thanks for the welcome....can you tell me when you got your band, how you're doing with it, do you regret getting it, whats the best and worst thing about having it, would you do it again, do you wish you had done bypass instead?

Their office is located off Rt. 40 in Catonsville. They use St. Agnes hospital.

Welcome Nancy! I think everyone here has felt the same as you. It is exciting and scary, but wonderful to think of a new life, and a new YOU! Best wishes!

How are you feeling? Dr. Averbach is my doctor too. Did you like him? I actually had an appointment with Singh but he was sick so I saw Averbach. Hope you're doing good.

Nancy