Hi all, I am still pretty new at posting, but I read on this board everyday. I love the information that is shared. 3 weeks ago I finished up with all of my 'pre req's' I started this process in July with the seminar, then had my consultation, then a group meeting followed by a meeting with the RN.. Then I had my meeting with the psy,nut, and fittness dude. I was told then that the info would be forwarded to my insurance by the end of the next week. I called after the week was up and found out that it had not been sent yet and it would be the next week. i wait a week call my insurance and it had not been submitted yet,, ok so this past monday I call the Doctors office and find out that they were sorry but the paper had not been sent yet, they were very nice but told me that they had 65 new pts and there was a back log. I understand this I really do. but I am more that redy to go.. today I called my ins to see if they had recieved the paper work,, they had not.. so this is so frustrating. I am a very impatient person, and I was really hoping to have this done before my daughter gives birth in Oct. I want to be in good health to do the grandma thing of course. My insurance is one of the better one that approve of bariatric surgery. I feel better now just venting all of this. I guess this is just part of the "journey" But I just keep wanting to know "are we there yet".:sneaky:

I know you're frustrated and I want to share this with you; getting the band is nothing. The aftercare is what makes it work (or not!) and I think any experienced bandster will tell you that. In the "I wish I had known then what I know now" dept, that is often listed. We think "I'll get the band" and then things will change but actually, you need fills and follow up care.

IF your doc's office can't even send in some paperwork in THREE weeks, how will they be able to give you timely care post op? I don't mean to be snarky or a "downer" but this is something you should consider. Impatient or not, to have to wait too long for fills, or to be put off if you have an issue (no one plans on complications but they DO happen) what will you do? Will you be told "well there are too many new patients you'll just have to wait?"

Is there another surgeon who is better staffed/has better time management you could switch to? If not, just realize that getting the band is like buying a car. Once you have it you still have to keep it gassed, get the oil changed, rotate the tires etc. same with the band...getting it is exciting but it is the fills and follow up that make it work.

I can really sympathise with you, Delora. The insurance approval was the only negative aspect to the banding experience. My surgeon is very popular, and the surgical assistant was overwhelmed. Fortunately, the rest of the team is excellent, and I don"t have to deal with the assistant anymore. One thing I found out, is that the surgeon's office deals with a case worker at the insurance company. When I was calling the insurance company to see if I was approved, I got a customer service rep. Often the latest info is not in the system yet, so you should find out who your case worker is at the insurance company to get the most recent info.

Good luck!