rkj123

I had the same problem with BCBS of MN. I had thought about arguing with them about it because it really is ridiculous to me but I didn't want to make them mad so that they would deny me. I also had to pay $300.00 to the dietitian at my surgeons office for pre and post op consults which also was not covered but yet it was required in the policy. Does not make ANY sense!!! Robin

Anne: Thanks for the well wishes. I have two children (age 5 and almost 2) so at least they were at school and daycare today. Still feeling pretty good - it's just such a mental thing not going to the kitchen to get a bite to eat. Oh well, just less than a week and I will be on to the mushie stage - who could guess that I would be craving mashed potatoes??? I have spent the last two nights in the recliner which has worked much better for sleep. Last night I spent part of the night on our couch which surprisingly worked quite well. My only real pain is where I believe the port is at but not enough to take anything for it. I had a bad reaction to pain meds a year ago when I had my gallbladder out so I am very hesitant to take anything if I don't absolutely need it. Even childrens Tylenol tastes so awful in the amount I need to take I almost feel worse if I take it. This is such an exciting adventure - best of luck to you and we'll have to keep in touch!!!! Happy recovery Robin

I am going to be banded on Monday (October 29) by Dr. Thaemert in Sioux Falls. Looking so forward to it after fighting with the insurance company since March!! Hello South Dakotans!!

Great news Laura -way to stick to your guns!!! Robin

justwaitin2B/Karen: I have the same date as you - WOW it's coming up quickly. I am so excited!! Just want to wish you good luck and I'll be thinking about you too when I am having mine done. Take Care!! Robin

Hey-haven't heard from you in a while. So sorry to hear about the gallbladder troubles. I had my first (and only) attack about a year ago and it was AWFUL. Chest and back pain, nausea, dizzy - I just rolled around on the floor while it was going on it hurt so bad. It lasted about 45 minutes then it totally quit. I went to the doc and they found gallstones and surgery was scheduled within the week. The surgeon who took it out said that if there are stones, it means you have a "bad gallbladder" and it needs to come out or the attacks will continue. So out it came. I am glad it is gone so now that I finally can have my band, I have one less thing to worry about. Wow - 70 pounds since February - that is so awesome. Don't worry, this is only a little bump in the road Robin

Just found out today that I too will be a member of this group!! Surgery date October 29!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Robin

I can't believe it - I was supposed to have a telephone hearing with my insurance company (BCBSMN) and Walt & Kelley Lindstrom of Obesity Law this morning and Walt called me a few minutes ago and said the hearing had been cancelled because I was APPROVED!!! :whoo::clap2::faint::whoo::clap2::Banane35::D:D. I have been working on this whole process since February and now it is finally going to happen. I have a call into my surgeons office and hope to get a date very soon. Walt and Kelley were just AWESOME to work with. If you are having problems getting approved, definitely see if you can get their help. I am still in total shock - I am SOOOOOOOOO ready!!! (can you sense my excitement!!!!!) Robin :whoo:

Just talked to my surgeons office and I am scheduled for surgery on October 29th!!!! I can't wait!!! Just have to see the surgeon on Monday the 22nd, see my primary doctor for a physical next week and away I go!! Robin

Thanks for the great post. I too have BCBS of MN and have been fighting with them since June. The people at Obesity Law in California are sending in my appeal on Monday so hopefully things will come together for me soon. It just gets so frustrating, being denied for healthcare that you pay an arm and a leg to have insurance for. Oh well, good things come to those who wait (and wait and wait and wait)!! Robin

I am in the same boat you are. You should check with your doctor about having Walter Lindstrom from Obesity Law in California do your appeal. I just got word on Monday that he is taking my case. My doctor's office sent me the paperwork and within a week, he took my case. Just an idea - I guess he has great success at overturning denials. Robin

Hi I'm from SD and in the process of getting insurance approval to have my surgery done by Dr. Thaemert in Sioux Falls. I live up in the Aberdeen area. I am supposed to hear something by Friday so am keeping my fingers crossed!! Canam and luvmygrlz - how are you doing after your surgeries - I am getting anxious and excited about getting it done!!

So happy for you!! Hope you feel better soon. Keep in touch on how things are going!! Robin

Fingers and toes crossed for you!!! Would cross my legs too but I can't - will my ankles work ??? Positive thoughts and prayers are being sent your way from SD!! :DRobin

In a very round about way, I finally have my surgeon consult appointment. I went to MeritCare in Fargo, ND for my info seminar in March, and had my psych eval in mid April. I got a phone call from the appointment scheduler and they couldn't get me in until JULY 24 and said surgery wouldn't be for a couple months after that. WHAT the HECK - I thought that was a long time to wait and I really wanted to get this done before my daughter starts kindergarten in late August. When I was considering having this done, I had researched both Fargo, ND and Sioux Falls, SD (we live in between) and had decided on Fargo as I have family in the area. I decided to call Dr. Thaemert's office in SF and explained my situation. She said that they could see me on May 18 - that is over 2 months earlier than I could have gotten in in Fargo and she felt that I should be able to have the surgery before mid August. I took the appointment and am in the process of getting all my info together. I am so excited. I have about 140 pounds to lose but I know I can do it with the help of the Lap Band. I have been around the board for a while but haven't had much to post until now. A 2 week wait sounds much better than a 2 1/2 month wait. I have BCBS of Minnesota and meet their guidelines so hopefully there won't be any problems with them. I have emailed back and forth to the clailms person and am keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed. Sorry to ramble on but I am so excited!!! Robin

Hi: I am new to this board and am in the early stages of planning the lap band surgery. Just wondering if anyone on here is from North or South Dakota and/or has experiences with any of the surgeons in Fargo or Sioux Falls? I am going to talk to my family doctor about having the surgery today and am trying to gather as much info as possible. I have struggled with my weight most of my life and am ready for a change. I have a 5 year old and a 1 year old and I want to be around for them for a long time but that won't happen unless I do something now. This board has been very informative in helping me make my decision and I look forward to visiting with you!! Robin

Fluffy - great to hear from you - May 10 is coming up so quickly. Best of luck to you and be sure to come back and let us know how it is going. Robin

Rocko: Great job on the weight loss!!! The hearing loss problem sounds very familiar to me. My Mom, about a year or so ago, had the same thing happen. Not to be a bearer of bad news, but she didn't regain her hearing. I will ask her what her official diagnosis was when I talk to her next time. She was fitted with some type of hearing device that somehow transmits the sound from her bad ear to her good ear and it makes her feel like she is able to hear out of the bad ear. I really don't understand how it all works. Hopefully you will be able to get a solution to the problem soon. Always love reading your posts - hang in there!! Robin

Hi!! Just wondering if anyone has used BCBS of MN for their lap band lately? If so, what were their requirements to have it done? Would love any info anyone can give me. Thanks in advance!! Robin

I have BCBS of MN and am going through MeritCare Clinic in Fargo, ND. The person there said they are very good about paying and we just have to submit for prior approval. They also said that BCBS is really looking for only 3 months of supervised weight loss, psych eval, obesity for more than 3 years. Apparently they are even being more lenient with people who didn't have the supervised weight loss plan. This is from the person at the hospital who takes care of submitting the claims. I would do some more checking into it if I were you. Good luck!!

I had my gallbladder removed in September and usually I am very tough regarding pain but I just couldn't get enough of the pain med. I was in the ER twice with the pain and to the doctor several times during the week following and they couldn't find what was causing the extreme pain. Finally, a week and a day after the surgery, I got sick of it and decided to try it without the pain meds (they didn't seem to be helping anyway and I was having trouble getting a good breath while on them) and within 5 hours, I had no more pain. I must have been having some type of weird reaction to the pain medication (I believe it was Tylox and another one that I don't off hand remember the name of). So, if I ever am able to get the band, it is little or no pain meds for me!! Hope things get better for you soon!!

Hi Tarra: I am from SD so welcome neighbor!! Where are you planning to have yours done? I am going to Fargo on Monday for the seminar at Merit Care and plan to have Dr. Monson. As far as I can tell with my insurance, they will cover it (I have BCBS-MN). Hope things work out for you!! Robin

I am still very early in this whole process but I was reading on the website of the hospital that I will eventually have my surgery at, that I would be on a "full liquid diet" for two weeks prior to the surgery. Now what I understand to be a full liquid diet from my experience working at a nursing home is that you can have Clear liquids but also creamy Soups, ice cream, etc. A "full liquid diet" isn't the same as a "clear liquid diet" I don't believe? What have been your experiences and what were you able to drink? Robin

Good luck Shannon -let us know how the seminar goes. I am going to one on March 26 to start my journey!! I am so excited!! I have had 2 c-sections and just had gallbladder surgery in September. Surgery can be scary but you just have to remember the reason you are doing it. Be sure to ask a lot of questions to help ease your mind. GOOD LUCK!! Robin Info seminar scheduled for 3/26/07

Thanks for the welcome!! I visited with my family doctor and will be going to a seminar in Fargo on March 26. My doctor was totally supportive and one of the nurses at the clinic (who I had known for years) had the surgery about 9 months ago and has lost 60 pounds. My doc had her to come in to visit with me and her words were "GO FOR IT!!!" So that is what I am going to do. I have found out that my insurance will cover it but they are sending what they call a "medical policy" BCBS of MN so we will have to see what that is all about. I am so excited!!! Robin