Marycanary

I voted for you! I hope you win!!! Yah

I do like Dr. Billing. He is very personable...very gentle. His entire staff is excellent.

I live north of Seattle and am getting the sleeve this Thursday, 3/8, by Dr. Billing.

What an awesome post! Congratulations on your "new self" and "new life"

Hi, I live in Marysville and am planning on being sleeved this coming spring by Dr. Billing in Edmonds. I know there is a support group at Swedish Edmonds in the cafeteria, but is the one in Marysville still happening? I would love to attend.

I have BCBS of MN and just received approval for the sleeve!!! I had to complete the 6-month supervised diet with fitness and psych eval. Also had to see my pulmonologist and do a 2-week at home sleep study and of course be cleared for surgery. Back when I started this process in the spring of 2011, BCBS of MN still considered the sleeve "investigational" and would not cover it, while other BCBS providers were approving it! My insurance coordinator through the surgeon's office said policies are changing all the time and to keep going with what the insurance companies require, because by the time you are done, it will most likely be approved! Good luck to you

First you need to find out if you have WLS as a benefit thru your insurance (some employers do not include it so they can keep premiums down). I have BCBS MN and was told they require a 6-month supervised diet, psych eval, and 2-year weight history. I have sleep apnea so will be getting those records also. My surgeon's office said things are changing all the time with insurance companies covering the sleeve so to be patient Meanwhile I am moving forward with what is required and praying that with time BCBSMN will cover this "investigational" procedure by the end of the year. There was another member on here that was just approved by BCBSMN...so keep your fingers crossed. Good luck!

I am a newbie hoping to be sleeved. I have had my initial consultation with the surgeon and bloodwork and have started my required 6-month supervised diet. Unfortunately my insurance company told me today that once I meet my deductible, they will cover 100% but there is a $10,000 lifetime cap on bariatric surgery. My surgeon's office says to be patient and that a lot of the BCBS policies are changing all the time to include gastric sleeve coverage. My question is should I contact my employer and talk with them about the surgery and the $10,000 cap, should I continue as is and wait and see what happens down the road after I complete my supervised diet and psych evaluation, or should I just start saving for the share of the procedure not covered by my insurance (surgery is $16,500)? My BMI is currently 37 and my comorbidities are sleep apnea, GERD, osteoarthris, joint pain, depression, and strong family history of diabetes. Is it possible my insurance compay would approve WLS 100% with documentation and letters from surgeon and PCP, or are they pretty strict on the cap benefit? Any advice is appreciated.....so glad I found this website!