MEW

Because every policy is different, your friend should call the insurance company personally and ask them if they cover WLS, if they do, then she needs to be more specific and ask about the lap band itself, and what the qualifications are. They should be able to tell her over the phone. She should also have a policy book that the information would be in, but its always best just to call them. I know this isnt much, but its a start. I wish your friend the best of luck!!!

Diane...I remember someone saying that about thier mother-in-law, but since we were sitting on the same side of the long table, I didnt get to see who's mouth it came out of. You know what...at the next meeting I think I might just stand up and ask you to raise your hand!! LOL I went to my pulmonologist appointment today, and he said my lungs are fine!! (after 15 years of smoking, he said they are actually in great shape!!) He said he will write a letter to Dr. Hoehn's office clearing me for surgery based on my lungs, but wants me to have a sleep study done. (Hubby says I snore, but I've never heard me!!) I figured I was in for more waiting, but they got me scheduled for this Thursday night!! Hope everyone has a Great Evening!!!

Diane...I was hoping to get to say hi to you at least, but I didnt even realize you were there, I was looking for your child. Next time, point yourself out to me, please?? Wheetsin...Hopefully you can go to the next meeting, I was looking for you (hoping I could recognize you by your picture). Hope everything is OK with your family now!! Awww...Dont feel bad Chantay, I wouldn't have gone last night, I was actually in a hurry to get home and watch the end of the KU game (GO JAYHAWKS!!) Maybe next time!! I'm also in Kansas City...dont ask me where, LOL, because I'm actually an Indiana transplant, but I'm beginning to know my way around. I did spend a few minutes talking with another lady after the meeting last night, and she had some very helpful advice for me!! Looking forward to seeing her at the next meeting, too!! I must say, I was very nervous about going last night, but everyone made me feel so comfortable, and for once...I didnt feel out of place, I was in a room full of people who actually understands. I'm actually looking forward to the next meeting!!

I've been waiting all day to hear your surgery date!! You dont have long to wait at all!! Congratulations!! I just received my appointment dates for the psych consult and nutritional consult....and that has me exited, I can just imagine how you are feeling now!! (Dont know what size clothes you are looking for, but if I have what you need, I'd be more than glad to help you out!! PM me!!)

http://www.kcbariatric.com/n_bariatric_events.php Ok, now I've confused myself....but thats easy to do...LOL Can you scroll down to the Lap Band Support Group meeting, and tell me if this is the same room as the seminar?? Thanks!!

Lauren...I've been following your threads and just want to congratulate you on your perserverance!! I'll be anxiously waiting to hear your surgery date!!

Good Luck at your appointment today Chantay!! Sure hope you get an early surgery date!! Diane....I could be wrong, but I thought the meeting this week was going to be in the same room that the seminars are held in? (Is this the room by the gift shop?) I'm not familiar with SMMC, and when I went to the seminar, I parked on the wrong side of the building and had to have someone walk me to the room.....that was a long walk!! Maybe if I park there again Thursday night, that will count towards my walking goals?? LOL

Hello Everyone!! Just thought I'd stop by and introduce myself. I'm Mary and I will be attending the support group meeting Thursday evening. I'm looking forward to meeting y'all!! I've just begun my lapband journey, still have all the hoops to jump through, but its finally starting to take shape for me! :clap2:

Thanks for the clarification Wheetsin....I must have had a "duh" moment, a lapse in common sense or something else to that effect....lol I thought Tracey was giving the initials of another doctor....I wanted to see if they were in my network!! LOL prbrooksie....Self-pay has crossed my mind a time or two, and depending on the insurance outcome, that might have to be an option, but for now, all I can do is wait for the staff to call me to set up appoinment times for a psych eval and nutritional consult....my insurance requires these reports be sent to them prior to issuing an approval/denial. I emailed them Tuesday, but havent heard from them. I'm just so anxious to get my lap-band that the time seems to be in slow-motion....:think Has anyone seen the new Sonic commercial? I have decided to name my band Charlie!! LOL

Thought you might be interested in this link!! http://www.obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html

Hi Michelle....You need to copy and paste the ticker's URL into your signature line (its in the USER CP link at the top of this page). Hope this helps, as I am a computer illiterate most times (I bought the book Computers for Dummies...but it was to advanced for me!! LOL)

Tracey ....(or anyone else who knows) who is JBT and at what hospital does he work out of?

Congratulations bikergirl360!! Getting your surgery date scheduled was so fast!!! :clap2:

Congratulations JB!!!!!

Also, check out this link for co-morbidities: http://www.lsaobesity.com/comorbidities.htm

This is a link from my (hopefully soon-to-be) surgeon's website: http://www.kcbariatric.com/u_obesity_diseases.php Doctor's and insurance companies will differ, so be sure to check with them also!!

Hey Tracey...I got a deal for you!! LOL Save your money on the health club and come on over to my house...I've got just the workout for you!! *evil laughter* Thursday night during all the winds, we had an old oak tree fall in our back yard, and it crushed my fence. You can come and cut it up, (I'll supply the chain saw....*giggle*) be sure to bend at the knees when you pick up all the logs!! Weight lifting and cardiac all in one!! LMAO!!!! Then, you can get an upper body workout while trying to re-align the metal fence!! Not sold on this idea?? Dont feel bad, neither is my husband and boys!! And frankly...I'm not either!! LMAO!!!

Thanks Wheetsin....it does make me feel more at ease with my decision when I read posts like yours!! As far as the "other staff" goes....I've heard the same thing before, but so far, I havent really run into a problem with anyone...but then again, I'm not having to much contact with anyone while I wait for appointment dates. Its been almost 2 weeks since I sent in my papers, and I know they got them. I think I'll call them on Monday and ask (in a very polite ass-kissing sorta way) when I can expect my appointments to be scheduled.

Check out this link amy: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/new-cpt-codes-t11845.html

Unfortunately, Dr. Malley isnt in my insurance network, so I've chosen to go with Dr. Hoehn at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City. I havent heard anything negative about him, in fact, just about everything I have read has been positive! I really liked him at the seminar I attended on Feb 5th. I turned in all my papers, medical records and my PCP letter, but I'm still waiting for a call from their office to set up my nutritional consult and psych eval, so hopefully it will be soon!!

Tracey...I sure hope you and your little guy are feeling much better this morning!! Congratulations adumont on your surgery date!! I'm still waiting for my appointment dates (nut and psych), I want so bad to call the Surgeon's office this morning, but the Nurse from the seminar was very adamant about NOT calling myself, and just waiting for them to contact me. So I walk around with my cell phone permanently attched to my hip (think I'll start calling the phone my siamese twin). I'm afraid to set it down in case it rings and I dont hear it, I wont leave the house, not even to check the mail, without the phone!! I even take it with me when I get in the shower (at my MIL's house....long story, dont ask!! LOL) OMG!!! Now I'm obsessed with the phone!!! :help:

Congratulations!!!!!

I'm going to add my two cents in here, for all its worth. Sounds to me like the husband is having insecurities and "might" feel like he is going to lose his wife regardless. So, holding the insurance coverage over her head could just be his way of keeping her? I know when I first approached my husband about having lap band surgery (I'm still in the waiting stages) his first comment was..."You're not going to get skinny and leave me, are you?" After assuring him that I wanted to have the surgery so I could live longer to be with him, he has become very supportive!

You deserve a big pat on the back Tracey!! With the attitude you have...you'll be a model patient with the lap band!!! I'm off to find something for breakfast and start reading the WLS for Dummies book I bought yesterday....Keep up the great work Tracey, and I'll check back in tonight!!

Ok, now I'm getting a tad bit nervous!! When I called my insurance, they never said anything about needing a diet history, supervised diet or anything like that. They told me I need a letter from my PCP (got it!!) a letter from the surgeon, a psych eval and a NUT consult (waiting on appointment dates). Now I'm worried that after I submit all this to the insurance they will come back and ask for more information!! (They said they wont make a determination until all info is sent in.) :faint: Your Breakfast sounds so good this morning Tracey!!! Keep up the good work and you'll make your surgery weight goal in no time!! :clap2: