bandmenow

Hi banders in Tennessee! I haven't been on this site for awhile. Lastly, I found that Blue Cross Blue Shield would not cover the lapband. So I pittled around awhile, trying to think of ways to save money for the surgery, thinking of my options. Finally, my husband came home with some encouraging news. His employer was planning to switch the insurance company to United Health Care. I recognized this company as one that has paid for the lap band on several occasions. Now I can only hope the plan my husband and I are under will suffice. I have heard both good and bad things about United Health, regarding the lapband procedures, but at least it's a start! Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should handle this company?

I live in Chattanooga and want to have lap band. I was curious as what the cost woud be without insurance, I cannot be covered on my insurance plan. I have signed up for a meeting at MemorialHospital in November but the anxiety is killing me! I was curious if there anyone else in Tennessee has an idea of the cost. Nici

You're right Carmen, you are one of the lucky ones, as well as I. My husband supports whatever I do just as long as it will make me happy. He understands that if I'm not happy with myself, he can't make me happy. But it's a whole different world out there for some of these newly-banded, single people. Whether we are male or female, before the surgery most of us spent a great deal of our lives worrying about what people thought about us,"will she like me?" "Will he think I'm fat?"THese are common feelings we struggled with on a daily basis. And now, we're getting thinner, we're looking at life from a positively, different perspective, and we still want to be loved. It's rough! I'm glad I'm not in the playing field anymore, skinny or not!

Oh yeah, junst one more thing......Stay away from guys who want slim-tight girls. That's a good indicator that no matter who you are and what you look like, he's never going to be satisfied. Someone who really loves you....loves you for who you are, not what number pops up on the scale! (Ok, no more ranting!)

Just remember: you had this surgey for yourself! If you start making apologies to a stranger for the way you were before your weightloss, then that person will always expect you to feel sorry for yourself for that fact that you had a weight problem, or for just being yourself. Women make this kind of mistake all of the time, especially to their husbands or boyfriends. The best way to avoid this kind of manipulation is to think, "If you're not man enough to handle the truth about someone's life, then you're not man enough for me." Besides, the guy's vacancy just allows space for the "real deal." Keep up the positive attitude and you'll find the right guy! But for the mean time, live your life to the fullest! You've got a new body to get comfortable in! Nichole

Well folks, I'm back in the saddle again. A few months ago I gave up on having the lapband done after I discovered that my insurance compnay wouldn't pay and there wasn't anyway I could pay for the surgery myself. But then a new light opened from the heavens.One day my husband walked into the kitchen and behold,in his hands were new insurance papers his employer had switched to last month! Now, I have heard great and horrible things about this compnay: United Health Care. I'm not sure if our plan will cover the surgery. But I have researched lapbands surgeries that have been covered by the company and so I am aware that it can either be a pleasant expereince or a disaster. But at least there is hope! So wish me luck! Who knows, this could be it? Or, I could end up back at my last plan, scraping change from underneath my sofa cushions! Whatever it takes!

Wow Chikadee.....I can't imagine how mad you would have been if you had gone to Mexico to pay for the surgry and then months later find out you had United Health Care! LOL THat was close! Good luck!

Hey THanks, Alexandra! That makes a lot of sense now that you explained the whole, EPO vs. PPO issue. Nichole

Also, you need to let your coworkers know that having WLS done is your own decision. It isn't a harmless, simple debate as choosing a red Ford truck over a red Chevrolet Truck. Which ever surgery you choose you need to make sure you are able to live with the consequences that come with being banded or having RNY. But it looks to me that you have already made a decision and I wish you the best of luck! Nichole;)

I noticed you guys all had UHC, EPO. I know that my plan is under PPO. I'm curious as to how this might change things a bit?! I'm looking foward to getting my package of information in the mail on Friday, hopefully! THanks for all the prep! Nichole

THanks everyone for the encouragement! All I know at the moment is that my insurance with UHC is PPO. I will fnd out more Friday! Think happy thoughts! _ Nichole

I'm looking at my stats; 5'5 height, 238 pounds and BMI of 39. When I confided in my best friend that I have considered the lap band surgery, she looked at me like I was crazy. I asked her, "What?" She sat there for awhile and said, "You're not big enough to have the surgery!" I was stunned. I thought about what she said and questioned whether or not I would be accepted for the surgery. I keep the reasons of why I want the surgery, going throuh my mind continuously. 1. I have been overweight since the age of 9. 2. I have been on every diet ever existed, even Optifast. 3. I have prolems with my knees due not from amy particular injury but just has developed over time. ( I believe this is from walking around for years with an excess of weight). 4.I am tired of YO YO DIETING 5. I AM TIRED OF LANE BRYANT 6. But most of all, I am tired of being told to watch my calorioe intake and exercise and all will be well. Especially now, since my knees will not allow me to do any extensive walking or running. So, I stand in front of the mirror and think, "Am I really overweight or do I just have some distorted body image?" Then I stand on the scale and it reads, 238. My theories are confirmed all over again. THough I am aware that lap band will only fix the inside pat of my weight problem, I know I wil have to work on exercising, which I enjoy doing believe it or not. I can't wait to be able to speed walk without worrying about my knees swelling! I was curious if anyone out there has ever been told they were not a candidate because the weren't "big enough," though you felt differently.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my primary physician. I am so nervous he is going to fight with me about my decision of wanting to have the lap band surgery. I have read where people often get treated like they are crazy when they tell their doctors they want to have WLS. I keep going over and over in my mind why I want lap band verses another stupid diet. I have researched this procedure for one year now and I am positive this is what I want. Does anyone have any advice on this sort of thing? Also, what can I do if he rejects my necessity letter??!!Or....can he reject it without medical reasons as to why I wouldn't be a candidate? HELP! Nichole

In Tennessee, one of the major insurance companies that cover the lap band surgery is John Deere. I was curious to see who has John Deere insurance and if so, how long does one usually have to wait before they are considered to be covered? I don't have insurance right now, so I have to back into this, being careful not to create any "pre-existing" attempts for weight loss surgeryon my files. THis is veryfrustrating, but if everything is done correctly, they will pay for the surgery %100! Please give me feedback if you have any!

I have suggestion. When I was doing the Sugar Busters diet, I found a Protein bar that was extremely low in carbs at GNC....and the best thing about it??? It tasted like a real SNICKERS bar!!! The sugar content is only 3 grams per bar and the bars are huge! You could spilt one in half and use it for a meal. THe name of the bar is ODDESSY. The flavor is CARAMEL NUT. They are awesome! Hope this helps. Nichole P. S Even though I no longer do the Sugar Buster diet to the t...I still buy the bars, especially during that time of the month. ...(Helps with the chocolate cravings I often have).

Good luck to you! Hopefully you will be hearing my before-surgery statement in a few weeks or months! Nichole:)

OOps.....sorry about the misunderstanding!!

THanks for your advice! I think I'm just nervous he'll try to put me on another diet that will not work. I'm sure I will let everyone know what happens today! LOL Nichole

Hi Cindy.....just curious... I have a friend of a friend who is getting banded at Vanderbilt as well. What was your decision to go outside of Chattanooga and to Nashville?? Is there something I don't know? LOL Thanks Nichole

I wish I could help you but I haven't been banded yet. I am confident you will find all of the information you will need on this forum! I have only been a member a few days and I already feel like I'm banded and ready to go! LOL! Good luck with you results! Nichole

THanks for the information!Hopefully I wil be seeing my surgeon next week! I can find out if I have anything worse than acid reflux!

Before I see my physician, I was wondering if anyone who has been banded has or has had acid reflux, particularly before the surgery. If so, how did this effect the lap band procedure, or if it did at all? I have acid reflux and am tired of it! I'm hoping the lap band will help. THanks! Nici Chattanooga, TN Not Yet Banded But Anxisouly Waiting Approval!

Sorry EVERyone for the GIGANTIC pic of myself and husband at his 40th party! GEEZE.......save some writing room for the rest of the forum! LOL

Hey all you Tennesseeans out there! I was wondering what the average cost for fills were going for at the moment? I know it will be slightly different depending on where I go. Just curious! Man, I can't wait to be banded! But first, I must get the necessity letter signed by my doc. on Wed. Anyway....enough mindless rambling! I'll be having the surgery at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. THanks! Nichole

That's comforting to know! Most people I know who have had WLS have had the gastric bypass surgery so most people don't know much about the lap band here in Chattanooga. THanks! Good luck! Nichole