I am scheduled to see him on 1/2/08, and I was wondering if anyone had anyone could kinda fill me in on what to expect. I have BCBS of NC, my BMI is 44, and I have my 5 years of weight history,and I've had my pysh eval. are they really hard to get approved?????? I am trying not to get my hopes up, because I really need this surgery.

Thanks for your advice!!!!!!!!!!

Hi. I don't really know that much about Dr. Bauman. I am in Monroe and I would've liked to use that practice, because it is so close. But my insurance company wouldn't cover lap band so I am having my surgery done by Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver, Co. It's only $9950 including everything. He also includes 3 fills and after that the fills are only $15. You can fly from Charlotte to Denver RT for $300 to $400 most anytime. I asked Dr. Bauman how much for self-pay and it would have been about double the price. If your insurance says no, just remember how reasonable Dr.K is. Good luck.

I am scheduled to see him on 1/2/08, and I was wondering if anyone had anyone could kinda fill me in on what to expect. I have BCBS of NC, my BMI is 44, and I have my 5 years of weight history,and I've had my pysh eval. are they really hard to get approved?????? I am trying not to get my hopes up, because I really need this surgery.

Thanks for your advice!!!!!!!!!!

I went with Dr. Pirrello - but he and Dr. Bauman is in the same office. I also have BCBSNC, had a BMI of about 44... insurance approved me 1st try! I didn't go in quite as prepared as you, I had to get my pysch eval, nutritional eval, Upper GI, etc etc etc after my first meeting with Dr. Pirrello. You should be good to go! Best wishes - let me know how it goes!!

HI Marissa,

About how long was the turn around time, I mean between consultation and the surgery??? Hopefully, I will be on the losers bench by Spring!!!!!!!

Hi SunShyne,

I started my journey (the group seminar) at the end of June. I had my first appointment with Dr. Pirrello about 2 weeks later. Then I spent from July - September waiting on and going to the other required appointments (nut. eval, psych. eval, etc.). There was a bit of a mis-communication with my psych. eval. and it ended up taking 1 month to have it sent to Dr. Pirrello. So, I probably could have been approved and ready for surgery by the beginning of October or so if it hadn't been for the "psych." delay. I found out the 1st of November that BCBS had approved me, and I had my surgery on the 20th. So, for me it took around 5 months from start to end. But - you sound like you have a lot of the 'little' stuff taken care of, so you should move right along! Hope I didn't ramble too much. :confused: Keep me posted on your progress!!! GOOD LUCK!