Hey there my name is laura, but i go by lala. I have been conidering getting the laband for a while, i joined a gym a few months ago hoping to do it on my own, but no matter how many times a week i go, i havent noticed any weight loss, i know my problem is food no doubt about it. So today I made a call to my Insurance company which is bcbs ppo of florida. The lady seemed pretty nice actually, She said In order to get the surgery approved I have to prove I am morbidly obese, and have been over weight for 5 years, do a diet/exersize, or diet pill regimin for a set ammount of time, a psyciatric evaluation. I didnt get to finish my call sincemy son has a bug and got sick all over me while i was on the phone, but i got all the way up to finding a local doctor for me, I live in florida, i'm willing to drive to jacksonville, Gainesville, or Orlando. Any doctor suggestions? Another thing i've been over weight for as long as i can remember, I just dont have a steady doctor records of my weight, How do you get those records, its either from the hospital ER...Something like that, i just dont know if they keep those records.... I'm worried i'm just on the line of approval...

I'm 5'4 i weigh 230, i have bad back problems cant stand for too long, which isnt good since i'm in school to do hair, and well you gotta stand all day long. That is my main health issue from my weight..

When the want the 5 year record do you have to be your current weight that long, cause 5 years ago i weighed around 170. I'm just concerned about getting the nessisary documentation....Has anyone delt with bcbs ppo plan in florida? Sorry i have soooo many questions,:wink2: yikes anyways thanks for reading..

LaLa

The doctor that did my operation ws Robert Cywes. His phone number is 904-399-4004. I had cigna ppo for my insurance company, so the guidelines are different. Call his office and find out when his next seminar is. He has them once a month. His website is www.obesityresolved.com Hopefully this helps you out.

Doreen

I forgot to mention that Dr. Cywes in Jacksonville, FL.

Hi there. I had a similar situation and our measurements are just about the same but I'm 5'3". I never went to see my PCP on a regular basis but was able to provide the documentation to my insurance company by going by to the docs that I had seen over the year and showing my weight history. I had a view visits to our local prompt care center and one visit was even to the GYN. I think if your weight flucuates, it just proves your case more.

Based on your weight and height, I believe this will put your BMI at 40+ which usually means for most insurance companies that you do not even need to demonstrate co-morbidites. The joint pain that you experience is a co-morbidity. If you are borderline diabetic, have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, back pain these are also work in your favor.

Best of luck on your journey and I hope that some of this is helpful.

Hello Dolly,

I had my surgery done in Tampa , at Tampa General Hosp.( a center of excellence ) with Dr. Michel Murr. Awesome dr and his personnel are so organized that they make the process a breeze. The ones that make us jump through the hoops are the insurance companies. I had Aetna HMO and I did have to do the 6 mo. of a medically surpervised diet. Anyway, one of the best ways to inform yourself is to go to one of the seminars where they discuss the procedure, the insurance approval process and

how to get ready for surgery.

If you go to www.lapband.com you can find doctors in your area and when the seminars are offered.

Good luck and I wish you the best.

Hi Lala

I am in the South East part of Florida and will be traveling about an 1 to 1-1/2 hours South to Hollywood for my first consultation and hopefully surgery. You can called1-800-LAP-BAND and they will send you a list of Dr in a 4 county area. You can check with your insurance to see if the Dr is on your plan and go from there.

Dr. Tiffany Jessee did my surgery at the Palms of Pasadena hospital. I live in South Tampa and the Palms is in St. Petersburg...not far.

The doctor that did my operation ws Robert Cywes. His phone number is 904-399-4004. I had cigna ppo for my insurance company, so the guidelines are different. Call his office and find out when his next seminar is. He has them once a month. His website is www.obesityresolved.com Hopefully this helps you out.

Doreen

Doreen, Can we talk? I was just approved from my insurance to go to Dr. C. I'm new to this site and though I love it, I'm not quite sure how to do everything on here yet. I hope you get this if I didn't post right pls email me at ssb812@hotmail.com Sherry

go to jawadmd.com he is in ocala and is an excellent doctor. having my surgery tomorrow morning at 8. so far its been smooth sailing. good luck

welcome to LBT.