New to the Lap Band Forum

Tropicana · October 13, 2005

The consultation was really simple. When you call and make your appointment, they give the website information to go online and complete all your paperwork. It really speeds things up at the appointment. The paperwork is a pretty extensive medical questionaire and it does include a check list of previously tried diets. Once you get to the actually consultation, they will weigh and measure you and the scales will print out your bmi and goal weight and some other information. Then you will meet with the PA who will show you the band and answer any questions you may have and finally with Dr. Jay who will basically go over any other questions not answered by the PA. If you are qualified, they will tell you the steps to follow and these steps are dependent upon your insurance carrier. I have United Healthcare so all I had to do was call the office 2 weeks later to make sure they had submitted my paperwork and then check in with United Healthcare once a week to see if they had received it (this was the longest part of the process for me because we kept getting different fax numbers). Once the insurance had my paperwork, it took about a week & a half to get my approval. I was banded 1 week after my approval. The time for surgery is within 3-5 days post-consultation for self-pay & 4-6 weeks for insureds. I hope this answers all your questions. If not, be sure to PM me for more details.

Thank you so much. That really did help. They did not tell me to do any online paperwork so i will print it out and bring it along with me to the consultation. Is you weight loss scale at the bottom updated? How do you feel about it almost a month out?

I also have UHC (Choice version). So you didn't have to go through a psych and nutrition consult? I read on his website that overnight hospital stays are not required. Is this still true?

ldcravens1 · October 13, 2005

Thank you so much. That really did help. They did not tell me to do any online paperwork so i will print it out and bring it along with me to the consultation. Is you weight loss scale at the bottom updated? How do you feel about it almost a month out?
I also have UHC (Choice version). So you didn't have to go through a psych and nutrition consult? I read on his website that overnight hospital stays are not required. Is this still true?

I believe my weight loss scale is updated. 22.5 pounds so far without having a fill. I think that's pretty good! I feel GREAT about it. I don't know why they didn't tell you to do the paperwork but I think it is an excellent idea to print it out and take it with you. No, I did not have to stay overnight. I went in @ 6:oo that morning and I was home by 12:30 or so that afternoon (it's kind of foggy because I was pretty out of it for most of the day). Everything should move pretty smoothly with UHC (I have the Choice version also) as your provider. I ended up not having to pay anything out of pocket with the exception of my initial office visit co-pay. I go for my first fill today so I am EXCITED and a little NERVOUS about that.

Tropicana · October 13, 2005

I believe my weight loss scale is updated. 22.5 pounds so far without having a fill. I think that's pretty good! I feel GREAT about it. I don't know why they didn't tell you to do the paperwork but I think it is an excellent idea to print it out and take it with you. No, I did not have to stay overnight. I went in @ 6:oo that morning and I was home by 12:30 or so that afternoon (it's kind of foggy because I was pretty out of it for most of the day). Everything should move pretty smoothly with UHC (I have the Choice version also) as your provider. I ended up not having to pay anything out of pocket with the exception of my initial office visit co-pay. I go for my first fill today so I am EXCITED and a little NERVOUS about that.

Wow. You are making ME excited and nervous for you. You must feel completely blessed! Good luck with your fill. PLease please please reply back and tell me how it goes. I'm excited to hear about it. So did you have to go to a nutritionist or psych consult?

October 14, 2005

Yes Becky,

did you have any problems with INS, my INS carrier is UnitedHealth Care, and I just found out that they don't cover morbid obesity. So what should I do now.

BeckyinTexas · October 15, 2005

Miranda....I also have United Health Care through my employer, Collin County. Luckily for me, the county doesn't have the exclusion of weight loss surgery. I know that UHC does cover it but it all depends on what restrictions your employer puts on your policy. I wish I knew what to tell you to do but I don't know. Hopefully someone else on here will have some ideas for you. Good luck!

October 17, 2005

Thanks Beckyintexas, I am not giving up. so thinks I am going all the way.

ldcravens1 · October 17, 2005

Wow. You are making ME excited and nervous for you. You must feel completely blessed! Good luck with your fill. PLease please please reply back and tell me how it goes. I'm excited to hear about it. So did you have to go to a nutritionist or psych consult?

Tropicana ~

My fill appointment went fine. But I am not sure what my restriction level is because I am afraid to test it. I usually just eat very little and mostly Protein. I have dropped another 4 pounds so that's exciting..I've got to update my ticker again. I also have a pair of pants today that are 22/24 (they have elastic in the waist) but I am still excited. I was wearing 26/28 (with elastic) & 30/32 without. So, that was a GREAT NSV for me! I also purchased a skirt that is size 24 w/out elastic - yeah!

No, I did not have to see a psych or a nutritionist.