I go for the seminar on the 17th, through Norton's in Louisville. Anyone have any words of advice or experiences to share?

i have all ready wet to my seminar june 17 an go for my first doctor vist july 29 i cant wait .dont know yet what all i have to do yet but i know i have to take lot of test .my ins is humana what is yours

How long was the seminar and what did they discuss? I have Tricare insurance, so hopefully the approval process will be relatively simple.

It was a about a hour an a half. have you call your ins too see if they would pay .that is what i did .

I'm going to Norton Suburban tomorrow for the seminar. I hope I can get through the process before the end of the year found out that my insurance will be changing 1/2009 from Atnea to United Health Care I'd hate to have to start the process over again....JT

I'm going to Norton Suburban tomorrow for the seminar. I hope I can get through the process before the end of the year found out that my insurance will be changing 1/2009 from Atnea to United Health Care I'd hate to have to start the process over again....JT

Does your current Aetna plan require the 3 or 6 month diet? I totally see trying to get it over with before the end of the year but changing between Aetna & United Health doesn't mean the coverage will change. It really all depends on what your employer purchases. I live in Louisville and my employer offers both Aetna & United Health to us and they are they exact same plan since my employer is self insured. The more I read on this site the more I learn its not the insurance company but your employer.

I went to the Norton meeting a few weeks ago and I found it very informative. Dr. Geller presented and he was great. I am actually going with St. Mary's & Elizabeth and have been to both hospital's meetings. I have my first Dr. visit tomorrow so I guess that will get the whole process started but it could still take months since I too have Aetna and they require either a 3 or 6 month diet first (gotta love the insurance hoops)

Good luck to you:thumbup:

Went to seminars at nortons and st mary's. liked st mary's better. Have had first Dr. appointment with Dr. Shuster at St Mary's waiting on insurance now so I can move forward. have anthem federal. Have been waiting since aug 8. thats when my appoint was. The waiting is hard.

Does your current Aetna plan require the 3 or 6 month diet?

It looks like we can do either the 3 or the 6 where I work, when I called Atena the rep just pointed me to the policy bulletin which outlines both. I'm hoping for the quicker.

The main reason I hope to get it over before the year end so I don't have to start the process over when our insurance changes.

Good luck with your journey.....JT

The main reason I hope to get it over before the year end so I don't have to start the process over when our insurance changes.

Why would you have to start the process over? You would still have all the information current so that shouldn't matter unless United Health doesn't accept the 3 month plan (which I guess could happen). It may be difficult to get it all done before year end. I start the 3 month plan tomorrow so it will be mid December before I can even apply to insurance and who knows how long it will take to get approved then schedule surgery.

Good luck to you as well

You are right I may not have to restart just thinking as long as this takes to get approved I'd hate to be almost to approval and have to start submitting paper work again.

I see my PCP on Monday I'll check with his office on my referral...I found out at the smeinar Dr. Shina likes to see patients before they go to the Bariatric Group. Niot sure how that changes things but I'm just ready (like everyone) to get it done.

I got an appointment for my surgon consult today and found out that I have to attend a second seminar the surgons office told me I had to do a daytime one in addition to the evening one I attended on 9/11 but atleast I see the surgon the same day.

I got an appointment for my surgon consult today and found out that I have to attend a second seminar the surgons office told me I had to do a daytime one in addition to the evening one I attended on 9/11 but atleast I see the surgon the same day.

Have you started your 3 month diet? I am 1 wk into mine, I must admit it's a total joke. I feel as if I am just jumping through hoops to please the insurance company. Plus it is rather strange that they aren't trying to get you to lose a lot of weight but rather notice your trends and the things you do that promote weight gain. For me my goals were things like drink more water, don't have tv on while eating or don't eat at my desk at work and look at the computer at the same time. St. Mary's has a program where they assist you with the process using their staff which has made it easier for me. Good Luck

Have you started your 3 month diet?

I guess I have not technically started the 3 month diet. I haven’t really gotten any clear guidance I say my PCP the surgeon got my refferal 2 weeks later I can't see them till 10/28 but they won't answer anything till my appointment. My insurance requires a 6 month diet OR 3 month program seeing counselor, dietician....etc

Scary I'm changing insurance on 1/1/09 and can't find their requirements......