Hello everyone this is my first time posting to this site. I had my initial evaluation today and I must say I'm not feeling as scared as I was prior to. My schedule surgery date is early Dec pending ins approval at the Perimeter center in Ga with Dr Hart:thumbup:, not really worried about the approval I have BC/BS and my co-worker just got banded about three weeks ago. I just have to go through all of the required tests and things, but I am so excited about getting it done, I have been waffling around with the idea for sometime now and I thought I better go ahead and get it done just in case my employer changes insurances next yr and it wouldn't be covered then I would really be upset. So I will be a constant poster on this board so that I can stay encourged. Everyone have a blessed and safe day...

Hi rdarby, welcome to lapbandtalk! How very exciting that you have a tenative surgery date! Sure, there will probably be a lot of red tape for you to wade through, but hang in there. Please DO post....you never know who you might end up inspiring. Good luck!

thanks for your post. i have my first appointment on November 11th. I also have BCBS. I have to wait until at least March because of the "doctor monitored weight loss program" But after that I will be on my way. I hope everything goes well for you. I am just nervous that something will stop me from getting the surgery. Other than that I feel like this surgery is way better than getting a bypass. At least we will still have our own stomach. :thumbup:

Good Morning Everyone :thumbup: thank you Plain and marmotsgrl for responding to my post, I know there will probably be lots of red tape but so far the only problem I have encountered so far is that my PCP is charging me $30.00 just to write a ltr of med necessity :sneaky:, and when I talked to her about getting the LAP-BAND® she thought it would be great for me:confused:, but after I get the ltr I'm changing Dr's anyway. But wow marmotsgrl you have to wait till March?? what kind of weight loss program are you on?? and is it required from BC/BS that you do this?

well my doctor let me choose whatever plan I wanted. I think she has done this for a few times for other patients.

If I want my insurance to pay for the procedure I have to be qualified so I pass all of the qualifications except one which is the 6 months of medically supervised wt. loss program. I chose weight watcher online.

My BCBS requires this but not everyone's Blue Cross Blue Sheild does. There are so many different plans out there. I just feel blessed that my insurance will cover it.

Oh ok I have BC/BS PPO and they don't require the six months thing, I just have to put in writing what I have done in the last 5 yrs to try to lose weight.And get the ltr of Med Necessity from my primary Dr.