I have my 1st appt. on thurday but I went with my sister on her first appt. with the surgeon. He made it seem so easy.....you do this then this and then surgery...........but after reading some post it seems so much harder. Getting insurance to cover it seems to be the hardest thing. I want this so bad and willing to fight for it but I don't want it to be forever away.....

After your first appt. what all did everyone have to go through before you got surgery dates and approval from insurance.......

After the inital visit with the surgeon/practice:

Went to an orientation

Attended a support group meeting

I took EKG/CBC/Upper GI tests at the hospital

Saw the Registered Dietician

Saw the Psychologist

Got a letter from my general practicioner

Got a sleep study

Then, out of seemingly nowhere the approval letter from insurance came! (the surgeon's practice tracked everything, and when complete, submitted it for me)

Edited July 20, 200818 yr by 2GoodDogs
forgot the orientation and support group meeting

The hurdles are all worth it... I started this process in June and received word Friday 7/18 that I was approved 1 day after they submitted my paperwork.

Talk with the surgeons office about your insurance and if they have delt with them in the past. They know all the ins and outs to get approved by your insurance. No reason to jump threw all the appt hoops until you know how your insurance works unless you plan to self pay if your insurance wont.

My Lapband is in Sept. Please me that I can expect.

i agree the hurdles are VERY worth it.

how long, etc depends on your insurance (or self pay) and what their requirements are. my advice - call them and ask.

welcome to LBT. best of luck to you

It depends on your insurance carrier how many hoops you have to jump through. Like losingjusme said, contact them and find out if you're approve and what the pre-reques are (if any).

It's worth doing what you have to do, to get it. Yes, you may have to develop more patience and fortitude than ever before! I've been working on this so long I can't quite believe I'm almost there. But I learned so much while I waded through it all, I think the wait was a good thing.

I am very well prepared. I know most of the ns and outs of banded life from being a long term member of smartbandsters at Yahoo groups. And I used that time to start the weight loss process instead of waiting for the band to do it all. I've been practicing bandster eating habits to the point where a baby spoon feels more normal to me now than a normal spoon does!

If you find that it takes time, make the most of it. You know, lemons out of lemonade!

Orea

I attended a seminar with the group that performed the surgery...which is what they required. Then I made an appt. with the surgeon and they told me step by step what they required...after all the appts. were made, they submitted everything for me to Blue Cross Blue Shield and within 10 days I was approved.

Edited July 21, 200818 yr by Lori Ann

I just updated my profile so my weight ticker would update.

Thanks so much everyone for the info. I know have patience so much easier to type than to actually do.

I did find out that my insurance does cover it if it is medically necissary. I do have medical issues because of my weight high blood pressure high cholesteral ect..... All of which I was perscribed meds for. So hopefully all will work out.

Thanks again!!!

Generally speaking, they require a Body mass Index (BMI) of 35 or over if you have comorbidities like the ones you mention. Or if your BMI is 40 or greater you only need the weight and not the comorbidities. They may require you to show that you have been at that weight ballpark for 2-5 years.

Good luck!

Orea