I have been thinking about the lapband for quite sometime now. I went to an orientation last week and I am very interested in the lapband. I have only one concern, I have BCBS of North Carolina and I'm not sure if I'll get approved as my BMI is only 39. I'm 5' 1/2", 204 lbs with no health problems. I have tried every diet there is and yet like others have not been successful. I'm ready to change my life, just because I don't have any health problems now don't mean I'm free from them. I'm 41 years old and my mom is morbidly obese and has several health problems. I'm afraid I won't be here to see my grandchildren 1 day. I just don't know what to do, this is driving me crazy.

My bday was Friday, May 29. I would think you should be able to use someone in network. It makes more sence to do that. Why did you decide to use Duke instead of some one in Raleigh like Dr. Moran or Dr. Enoch?

I loved the Psych that I met with. I know several other people that have used her and were very pleased.

Can you please provide me with her (Psych) name and number. I chose Duke because it was recommended based on the fact that I was borderline BMI. I first was going to Dr. Mitchell in Pinehurst, I couldn't even get an consult with him as his insurance specialist bluntley stated in so many words that I don't qualify. This happened to someone else and they went to Duke and was approved, and they referred me to Duke.

Edited June 2, 200917 yr by Cloteal

Her name is Tammie Moore. She is located in Cary. Her number is 467-3831. When they answer just let them know you need to schedule a Lap Band Mental Health Evaluation.

My surgeon was Joseph Moran.

Do you have any other health issue? Are you diabetic?

Her name is Tammie Moore. She is located in Cary. Her number is 467-3831. When they answer just let them know you need to schedule a Lap Band Mental Health Evaluation.

My surgeon was Joseph Moran.

Do you have any other health issue? Are you diabetic?

Thank you for giving me that info, I called the Psych Dr. that I'm scheduled to see as I was told that I may not be able to go outside of Duke (left a msg for her to return my call). Oh yea by the way, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU (imagine me singing this)haha. Talk to ya later.

I have been thinking about the lapband for quite sometime now. I went to an orientation last week and I am very interested in the lapband. I have only one concern, I have BCBS of North Carolina and I'm not sure if I'll get approved as my BMI is only 39. I'm 5' 1/2", 204 lbs with no health problems. I have tried every diet there is and yet like others have not been successful. I'm ready to change my life, just because I don't have any health problems now don't mean I'm free from them. I'm 41 years old and my mom is morbidly obese and has several health problems. I'm afraid I won't be here to see my grandchildren 1 day. I just don't know what to do, this is driving me crazy.

Hello,

If you look at my numbers you and I are very similar. My height is 5' 3". You BMI is considered obese. Anything over 29 is obese and over 39 is morbidly obese. I don't have any health problems. I have had acid reflux and then I started having swelling in my legs and feet. Because I don't have any health problems, they ran all sorts of test and determined that my upper body weight was too much for my legs. BCBS approved me first try.

Thank you for giving me that info, I called the Psych Dr. that I'm scheduled to see as I was told that I may not be able to go outside of Duke (left a msg for her to return my call). Oh yea by the way, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU (imagine me singing this)haha. Talk to ya later.

If you have not already, I think you should investigate a little futher. Check with BCBS youself about the in/out of network Phych. Sounds like they want a lot of money to me. Check with another doctor in Raleigh first before you go all the way with Duke. :wub:

Hello,

If you look at my numbers you and I are very similar. My height is 5' 3". You BMI is considered obese. Anything over 29 is obese and over 39 is morbidly obese. I don't have any health problems. I have had acid reflux and then I started having swelling in my legs and feet. Because I don't have any health problems, they ran all sorts of test and determined that my upper body weight was too much for my legs. BCBS approved me first try.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am morbidly obese, my height is 5', and I weigh 207. My feet swell sometimes so bad they throb, I'm considered borderline high blood pressure. My doctor says my weight is the cause of increasing blood pressure. I just pray that I get approved, I can't continue like this.

If you have not already, I think you should investigate a little futher. Check with BCBS youself about the in/out of network Phych. Sounds like they want a lot of money to me. Check with another doctor in Raleigh first before you go all the way with Duke. :wub:

Yes, I will investigate more, but I really believe that Duke will be better for me. The staff at Duke is wonderful, they all are very nice and have great customer service. I didn't have a good experience with Dr. Mitchell's office and heard not so good things about Dr. Enoch's office (meaning staff). So far I'm satisfied with Duke, I know it's a long way for me to drive, but it will be better in the long run.

Yes, I will investigate more, but I really believe that Duke will be better for me. The staff at Duke is wonderful, they all are very nice and have great customer service. I didn't have a good experience with Dr. Mitchell's office and heard not so good things about Dr. Enoch's office (meaning staff). So far I'm satisfied with Duke, I know it's a long way for me to drive, but it will be better in the long run.

As long as you are happy that is all that matters. :wub:

Sterlingstar1-

I wanted to post to say I'm currently with Dr. Moran too. I'm waiting for insurance approval and wanted to see how long it took for you? Also how long before you got a surgery date. I was so happy to see someone else on here with Dr. Moran. :redface:

Sterlingstar1-

I wanted to post to say I'm currently with Dr. Moran too. I'm waiting for insurance approval and wanted to see how long it took for you? Also how long before you got a surgery date. I was so happy to see someone else on here with Dr. Moran.

I completed all my visits/appointments in 24 days. I stared on April 27th and in 24 days I had finished and got approval from BCBS and had my surgery on May 29.:redface:

Thank you for responding so quick! I finished all my test on May 19th so I'm being as patient as possible. :redface: Hopefully I'll hear something soon. Great news on your surgery! Keep up the good work.

I was banded by Dr. Moran too. I had a quick turn around once all my evals etc was done. I would say it was like 2 weeks. BCBS approved me in like two days... guess I had a lot of comorbilites, ha.

Good luck!! Keep us posted! :redface:

Hi all, I have an update. Well I finally got to see the Physician who will be doing my surgery (Dr. Sudan) YAYYYYYY! Well everything seem to have went pretty well, I saw the nutritionist and took some test (EKG/Chest xray). I go for my PSYCH eval on 06/30 and after that I should be able to get a surgery date if I'm approved. Hopefully I won't have any problems, my BMI was over 40 and I do have HBP. Wish me luck, it will soon be here.

Wonderful! You are moving right along. Maybe you will have your surgery some time in July.

Wonderful! You are moving right along. Maybe you will have your surgery some time in July.

That would be awesome if I did, but I'm not sure how fast they move. I would be happy with a August date. I don't even know if I'm approved yet, well I'll just speak it into existence.