msmarylou

Hello all, So I am currently trying to become a "bander" and my insurance doesn't cover it. I am aware that I will need to get in touch with my hospital that is going to hopefully preform the surgery. In which they have been more than helpful. What I am wondering is how long does it usually take to get an appeal? Or have an answer reguardless of the out come. I am going the 6th to talk to someone there to start the paper work. I will also hope to have 2 different letters from my doctors explaining why this is nessary for my health and well-being.

So its almost been a month since my health care team sent in my paper work to the insurance....UGH I wish they would move just a little bit faster so I can have an idea on what I have to do

Way to go!!! I hope I will be able to do that one day. Congrats

Ok so I'm going to try and stay up beat but like many its going to be hard. So my people helping me with this whole process called me today saying that we need to try and bill highmark. That isn't the bad part because that only makes sense if I'm trying to start the appeal process. But now if highmark comes back with a condition pretty much saying that they don't cover it I will have to find a new way to get this done. UGH I have this gut feeling they are going to say they are not going to do it because they don't cover it. Then I'm screwed...and I will be stuck in the Water again. I can call the attorney and try to work with them personally but that will be out of pocket and depending on how much it is I won't be able to afford it. Why can't insurance companies realize that if they cover this they will be saving money from all the items the patient will be hopefully losing like dietabities, HBP and so on...

Def try and go to your mum's. You dont need a person like that in your life right now. I know the feeling with the hot weather... I get mean like a rattlesnake and people don't understand just get the heck away from me and leave me alone untio I cool down. Those people just don't understand what it is like for us/people loosing weight. We don't need your mental abuse we have enough of our own. Good luck. You have a lot of people on here that will help if we can. Even if it's just kind words

Another reason why I am looking foward to this. I'm in the US. But it will be so nice no to relay on soda, coffee or energy drinks to get going. I will be so excited just to be up and ready to go.

I have a question. Currently at my weight I have very little energy when it comes to much. How soon after being banded do you feel it coming back to you?

Yesterday I had my session, class and psych apt. Over all I am still very excited to start my new life with a band. I meet with my dr. on the 20th so hopefully *fingers crossed* I can get a surgery date and have some news on how my insurance battle is going.

Just met with my doctor today. He and I are on the same page as far as getting banded. Now I just have to wait and see how my appeal goes

I argee with Mis73....even though I have no room to talk since I do not have my band yet. Right now I would be happy to see something under my skin...I just have fluff right now

So I have seen this on someone's topic but I'm starting a new one.... emily bites.....Has anyone made these "cupcake" dinners before? if so how did they turn out? I am planning on making some of these this weekend and wasnt sure on which was the best or not so good

Those look yummy

Thank you everyone. I want to try and get a handle on some of these now before the surgery so after I can just go "oh do this then this" I can't wait to try them

Congratulations on being approved!!

Ok so I have a question...how does united medical credit work? Do they send you a card like care credit or is it more like a loan? I'm trying to find out if it has the visa/mastercard logo on it. Care credit does not have that and my hospital is not sure if they take it until they try...and I'm not willing to have a card that i cant use with money on it, that I can't get to.

I have them. Currently I have an attorney that specializes in WLS working with the insurance so we will see. Thank God though that the center I am going to has a free attorney....fingers crossed

Thank you so much for that info....it does give me hope. And right now I am on a high from yesterday's class. I know its going to be hard but SO worth it

I have my apt with the dr. tomorrow after my class on the banding....I'm kinda scared even though it will probably be a cake walk.

I hope after I get surgery I would be able to run. I always said it was over rated. But deep down I always wanted to just take off without feeling like in going to die

Ok so I went to my pcp today to have him write me a letter of rec. so I can send it to the attorney to help my case. What I'm confused with is I was in this mind set where I wanted a band, having more than half of your stomach taken out scares me and the bypass isn't happening god gave me all the plumbing in there and I plan on keeping it that way. So when I was telling him he really didn't say much besides " your not getting younger and your not getting any lighter". He didn't give me much to go by. I asked him what he thought and he said that I should do the sleeve. I know I need to keep my options open and that if I'm banded I can always get a sleeve if I need to but I can't go sleeve to band. Now I'm super confused. I know it's just his opinion but I just don't know.

When I was at the hospital I picked up a couple of fliers on the bariatric advantage nurtitional supplements. Has anyone tried these? I'm sure there are cheaper things out there that are the same but I don't have all the facts yet. That is why I am asking

Thank you everyone for the info. I do believe those products would be good however I don't really have the money for it

Thank you for all your help. I am so excite for the 6th I have a class and will be getting my paper work ready for the attorney. It's kinda like Christmas. I just am looking forward to being healthy. I know the band is only a tool to help me but I'm still very excited

I looked at it a while ago but didn't say anything to anyone. But my mom asked me if I have ever thought about wls almost a month ago and after she asked that I have ran with it. I was scared to tell people around me because it is very personal decision. As of late however I have become very open to my friends and family with my decision