I would highly recommend Dr. Portenier and the Duke Weight Loss Surgery Center. When you go to DWLS, you get a team of professionals in addition to Dr. Portenier. They are professional, efficient, and supportive. The before surgery care and post surgery services are thorough. I believe this is a reason that Duke is a Center of Excellence for BCBS. I had no problems getting insurance coverage. I first saw Dr. Portenier on 12/22/08. I had lab work done on 12/29, and insurance approval on 12/31. My surgery was initially scheduled for January 9 but was delayed until 2/19/09, mainly at my request. I am now three months post surgery and very pleased. Dr. Portenier used the AP Lapband and did a single incision surgery. I was back to normal in a week.

Dr Portenier did my surgery. Nice Guy.... Highly recommended.

hi may I ask how long did it take you to get approve. I just recently got insurance with united healthcare and I was wondering do you know how long do you have to be with an insurance company to qualify for surgery coverage.

hi may I ask how long did it take you to get approve. I just recently got insurance with united healthcare and I was wondering do you know how long do you have to be with an insurance company to qualify for surgery coverage.

That is going to depend on the insurance company. There should be a thread in the forum for each insurance company. The best advice to speed things up is to get on the 'physician supervised diet' with monthly weigh ins ASAP. You have to be on that 6 months before most insurance will approve. You should also make sure your insurance doesnt have a bariatric surgery exclusion.

I am thinking about this and I have BCBS of NC also. I am unsure whether they will approve it, because my BMI is only 38. But I have type 1 diabetes, no high BP, no high cholesterol, and I am 29 years old. I also have hypothyroidism and have had my thyroid removed because of a goiter about five years ago. I have an insulin pump. What do you guys think??

I am thinking about this and I have BCBS of NC also. I am unsure whether they will approve it, because my BMI is only 38. But I have type 1 diabetes, no high BP, no high cholesterol, and I am 29 years old. I also have hypothyroidism and have had my thyroid removed because of a goiter about five years ago. I have an insulin pump. What do you guys think??

I suggest you have a direct conversation with the insurance company. The diabetes is a significant risk factor that weight loss would greatly help and that could work in your favor. A letter from your Endocrinologist recommending WLS may also help.