Hi all,

I am new to the board and have been lurking for some time. I have a question for those of you with BCBS of AL. I started on the 6-month diet with my 1st visit on October 26. The next visit was November 28. Then, I wasn't seen again until January 15. Will they make me start all over again because I missed December or will they just add a month...I know they require no sooner than 30 days between the monthly visits but is there a limit to how long over the 30 days? I am stressing because I don't want to have to start all over again!

I appreciate any input!

Thanks!

Missy

I have BCBS of AL also. My doctor said it has to be one visit each month with them being around the same time each month. I have just finished mine and was approved last Friday. I would think you may have to start from the Jan. visit. I hate to say it, but they look for anything to deny you. You can continue and submit, if they deny, you can just keep going then. Which doctor are you going to use? I am using Dr. Britt in Guntersville. His office staff are wonderful! They will do everything they can to help you. Keep trying.

Thanks BamaFever for your response. (Just FYI, I created my own ID today because the one above was one my husband set up a while back).

Anyway, I called BCBS twice today and, as you would expect, there were conflicting answers. I know that there has to be no sooner than 30 days between appointments but I asked how long is too long between visits and one of the answers was it just had to be 6 weigh-ins; Of course, the other answer was I had to start over. I have called the surgeon's office to see what they thought but I haven't heard back yet.

I was interested in Dr. Britt and Dr. Groves group but they are a little farther away than Bham and I wanted to make it convenient for my fills. So, I am planning to use Dr. Toutliatous in Bham. I went to his seminar last week and he seemed pretty nice. I also liked that he said he would adjust fills every week, if need be, in the beginning to get it right. I have another post on here hoping that someone will give me some more info. on him.

Congrats on your approval! Let us know when you get your surgery date!

Thanks again!

Missy

I also went to Dr. Toutliatous' seminar. My friend actually was banded by him in November. She has lost 45 pounds. I needed a doc that would spend more time with me. She is a nurse and doesn't mind the in and out quick, not much conversation. I need that. I have a few other friends that have had it with Dr. Britt. My husband just had a hernia repair with him on Friday. I got to experience the hospital staff and was really pleased. It is actually closer for me than Bham. I hope that the office staff can help you out. When I called BCBS, I got different answers also. I am a teacher so my insurance my be a little different also. Good Luck.

Does anyone know... after you complete the 6-month diet, how soon can you schedule surgery? Say, if I start the diet in January when can I expect to be eligible to have the surgery?

I was just banded on 2/11 and I have bcbs AL. I did start the approval process in November and it took until the end of Jan to get approved, but the 6 month diet sheets were not a problem. My dates were not 30 days apart. We tried to keep them around the same dates every month but it wasn't an issue. I do know that they will ask for 6 CONSECTUTIVE months though. Your doctor should be kind enough to let you "record" your weight and just sign the sheets for those months when you return. To make things quicker for me, I had been to the doctors at least once a month 3 months before considering the surgery,for other issues, so he back dated those 3 months, using my documented weight from the previous visits.

Does anyone know... after you complete the 6-month diet, how soon can you schedule surgery? Say, if I start the diet in January when can I expect to be eligible to have the surgery?

Southern Missy:

I started my 6 month diet in June of 2007 and completed my diet in December 2007. I submit my paper work after my consults were completed in January. I was approved by BCBS on January 25th. I had my pre-op class with my surgeons office a few days after approval. We set my surgery date at the pre-op visit. I could have had my surgery with Dr. Britt the next week, but I choose to wait until Feb. 14th 2008, so my wife would be off work to be with me. I guess it really is up to you & your surgeon just how quickly to get you into surgery once approved. I had to have at least a week to complete my pre-op diet to help shrink my liver. This is key to help make surgery easier and quicker for my surgeon. So this is a factor to consider if your surgeon requires a pre-op diet. I hope this helps you.:welldoneclap: