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During the 6 month approval time for insurance...



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My insurance (Humana) requires that I see my doc every month for 6 months before my surgery. I now understand that this is a pretty typical request. My question: I saw my doc on Jan 31, and then because of his schedule - not mine, I didn't get to see him again until March 17...Is this going to knock me out of being considered? Will i have to say that I started my journey on March 17 instead of Jan? I work for the school here in Kentucky and need to be able to have my surgery during our summer break. Anyone have any experience with this???? HELP!

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I am sorry to say that I spoke with Humana about three months ago and they told me that if I didn't have six consecutive months that I would have to start over. So regardless to who the fault is I don't think they care. They also told me that whenever I get my six months in that it would be good for three years. In case for some reason I changed my mind on the surgery. I also work for Kentucky State Board of Education. You need to call them yourself and verify this information and make sure they told me the same thing as you. They just keep changing the regulations on this surgery.

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Although I don't have Humana Insurance I had to have 6 consecutive months. Even if your doctor could not see you, maybe they'll have you come in and record your weight so you can present it to your insurance company. It's very frustrating but in the end, I am glad I took advantage of the 6 months because I took that time to learn as much about the lap band system as possible. I love my band. I would do it all over again if I had to. If you have to start over, it will be worth it. Hopefully you will not. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama. I did everything they required and had no issues.

I wish you much success during your journey.

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I understand how you feel, I also have Humana and work for Pretrial Services in KY, and am in the 5th month of my 6 month diet..I also get monthly phone calls from active health because of how they have it set up to get approval for surgery..I had picked a surgeon and had a consult with them only to be unable to come up with the program fee that they want and am currently talking to another doctors office about going with them for the procedure..Good luck and keep your head up.

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Did you ever find out the requirements of the six month supervision diet? How far are you into this journey? I have scheduled my fourth appointment for next month. Where are you interested in having your surgery? I am looking at Central Baptist.

Cheryl

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I am alos in the 6mo waiting game of insurance. I am rying to lose weight with a 1500 calorie diet. I often fight with this each day. In July will be my start of month 5. I wish it was month 6, because i am becoming afraid of the unknown. I try to lose weight with the diet and also with excerise at the gym. But my brain is not helping me stop the eating. I went in on Wed for a required egd for insurance and found to have esophagitis. No symptoms were being seen before this day. But know as I look back oh boy have I had symptoms. Now my best friend is protonix for the next couple of months. But best of all I can come here and talk about my fears.:angry:

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Howdy, I did my 6 months plus & was banded 1/15/08. A book I'm reading is Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band. By R. Sewell & L. Rohrbough. Borders has it. It is really good. I went to group & shrink meetings pre-op. They helped me get my head where it needed to be. Your 3 times more successful at weight loss attending meetings. This is my 5th operation. Spine fusion, ankle & shoulders. I know to start walking A.S.A.P. Pre-op is a great time to start building a support system. It took me about 10 years from 1st seminar to band. I needed that time to break old habits. I think over 75% of weight loss is in my head. This book is telling me my body chemistry will start to change at 9 months for the better. Good Luck & Really Large Weight Losses from Las Vegas!!! Hasta Pronto, George:teeth_smile:

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i love that book, I have it :thumbup: and congrats on ending the bad habits.

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    • LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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