Hey yall. Im new to this. =] I have a few questions if you don't mind answering. I would appreciate it. Thanks.

A little back ground history....

Im 20 years old. I live in AL. I have been over weight all my life pretty much. I have tried diet after diet. I would lose weight and gain it right back. =[ I searched the internet and found out about the lap band. Im looking into having it done. I have a bmi of 36. I have fallen into the obese category after I had my now 8 month old daughter.

Im thinking about applying for Aetna insurance. I have heard that it covers the lap band? How long did you have to wait untill having your lap band surgery after getting the Aetna insurance? I read on the Aetna website that their insurance will not cover any pre exsisting health problems. Would that mean they will not cover the lap band since I have been over weight all my life? Also, what steps did you have to take in order to have the lap band procedure?

Thanks a million yall.

Hey yall. Im new to this. =] I have a few questions if you don't mind answering. I would appreciate it. Thanks.

A little back ground history....

Im 20 years old. I live in AL. I have been over weight all my life pretty much. I have tried diet after diet. I would lose weight and gain it right back. =[ I searched the internet and found out about the lap band. Im looking into having it done. I have a bmi of 36. I have fallen into the obese category after I had my now 8 month old daughter.

Im thinking about applying for Aetna insurance. I have heard that it covers the lap band? How long did you have to wait untill having your lap band surgery after getting the Aetna insurance? I read on the Aetna website that their insurance will not cover any pre exsisting health problems. Would that mean they will not cover the lap band since I have been over weight all my life? Also, what steps did you have to take in order to have the lap band procedure?

Thanks a million yall.

Hi forever,

Well, I will try and answer some of your questions. I became an Aetna member December 2008, as my employer changed insurances. So, this could be a whole different ball game, not sure.

Anyway, as I stated before, I had already started the process prior to getting Aetna. But, I had to basically start over again, for the exception of a lot of the testing I had already done prior, such as the stress test, lab work, chest x-ray, etc. In January, I had a sleep study done which Aetna covered, my part is 80% after deductibles are met. So, from the time I got Aetna, which was December to July 7th is when I was banded. If you have any comorbidities at all it would be in your favor with Aetna; however, I would wait until you aquire insurance before having testing done.

I had to follow either a 6-month supervised diet or a 3-month supervised diet with my surgeon; I chose the 3-month. AFter I completed that and some other things, it was submitted to my insurance on June 11th. I was approved on June 17th of this year and had my surgery on 07/07/2009. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck!