:unsure:I have gone to my first seminar which was very interesting, I have talked to my insurance agent and was told I do qualify for the procedure and was also informed of the 6 month diet I must do with my PCP. I do have my appointment to see my PCP on monday and I guess begin the waiting game. I am wondering if I will be able to get the other required test done during this 6 month period or if I will have to wait til after 6 months to begin next steps......Does anybody know? Health Alliance is my insurance company.:thumbup:

Hello QuincyGirl,

A lot of insurances require at least proof of 6 months of trying to diet but, I'm wondering if your insurance company would also approve it if you had tried dieting before. Maybe double checking to see if it's a "specific" program they want you to try or does the history of diets and dieting count. You might want to clarify that with them because my insurance was fine with a history and since I've been with the same PCP for about 15 years her letter stating I've struggled with my weight since I've been with her was enough. She knows I've tried just about every diet plan out there...silly, sensible you name it I tried it. This step might get you closer to actually getting your band so it's worth a shot right?

Welcome to LBT and good luck with your band journey :thumbup:

Sherry

Hi,

I talked to the receptionist at the surgeon's office I plan to use and she told me that I'd need the 6 months diet before I ever made an appt with their office. I was quite disappointed to find that out. Maybe though it depends on your insurance. I have BCBS of MN.

Hi Quincygirl:

I'd do the checking that others suggested. I am on a 12 week program. During that time, I also got my psych eval, cardiologist eval and pulmonologist eval so that once my 12 weeks is up, I am ok to proceed with the surgery. But, I also saw my surgeon to get the information that they need. I'd call the surgeon's office and see if you can do any of this stuff ahead of time. (If you have certain problems, these doctors may require other testing, which takes time.)

Good luck in your journey!

Six months should be enough time for you to finish all of your testing.

After my "informative" seminar we then had a 3 hour "class".

There was a group of about 7 in the room. We all had our personal packets made up for us outlining the tests needed.

A reference list and phone numbers was also provided.

Between working and scheduling tests and doctors visits if I did everything right now I can see it taking the better part of a month or two.

I am in the second month of the six month period and only have two items checked off of that list.

Next week, three are being tackled.

The six months is fine for me.

It should work out well for you.

I am in the same boat. I saw my PCP at the beginning of February and told her that I was ready for the Lap Band. She stated that before insurance would even consider it I had to have 6 months of Dr supervised diet. No ifs ands or buts. She is not going to give me a referral until then. My PCP's medical group has their own dietition so I have to meet with her once a month. I cannot even start that until the middle of March.

I have tons of documentation of being on Jenny Craig twice over the years, working out with a personal training for 10 months. I am going to attend the surgeon's information presentation next month and find out what pre-op test I can get done or scheduled before insurance has approved. I am even going to ask my PCP to look at my medical records so I can document everything so she and the insurance company will have no excuses.

And I am reading as much as I can on this board to learn all I can. So come September I hope to join the banders group.

Good luck with your journey!

Thanks for all the replys. I am going to call the bariatric clinic on Monday and see if we can go ahead and start all the other test that need to be done. I too would like to be able to go ahead with the surgery as soon as the 6 months are up. I am looking so forward to the new me:biggrin:

I was in the same position as you. The hospital I am going to (in PA) requires you to join (for $350) a group visit program. I had an information meeting, a baritrician visit and got scheduled for monthly meetings (about 2 hours each) that they covered information in the notebook we got. We had a psych evaluation and met with a dietician. I didn't visit the surgeon until the last month. They scheduled the date right away. After our last grouop visit our case was presented to the surgical review board so they knew that I met the requirements. I am not waiting for final insurance approval but I am scheduled for the 12th of March. That day can't come soon enough.

I too am waiting for September to roll around. I have had my consult, pysc eval, first visit with the dietician, and with my family doc. My doc., is going to supervise my weightloss for the next 6 months, so now I will be working on my other tests and losing weight. :thumbup: