vacationgirl1

So with a BMI of 34, that may be a problem with your insurance if they say you need a BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbidities. Call and talk to someone to ASK the insurance agent this specific question. Get their name and a "record #" for your talk with them. Write it down and keep a journal of all talks with insurance. If you need a BMI of 35.... seriously, it may be that you have to gain a few pounds to hit a BMI of 35. YES, TOTALLY ridiculous, but you've got to play the insurance game to get done what you need done!!

Call the insurance company and ask for their written policy. Get a copy (probably online) print and read it carefully. Call them with any questions to clarify their policy and make sure you know all the "parts/pieces" that you need to have (ie: primary care doctor referral letter, certain medical tests like an echocardiogram, and others, 3 or 6 months of a nutrition class, and more) You can start working on those things and gathering all of that. Keep calling them and getting all of your questions answered so that when you are ready to go to your seminar, you will be more confident of your insurance coverage. As for your BMI, are you worried that you may be too low by the time you start your appointments? They supposedly take the first weight that they take from you at the start. If this is your worry, you need to maintain your weight now until your first weigh in. Or are you worrying for other reasons. I hope this helps!

It's a LOT of paperwork and process! Good luck with the nutrition program at Lahey. It's a long time, but I believe that it will all help and be worth it in the end. I go to my 2nd seminar tonight at Beth Israel and have my first blood labs and group nutrition meeting Monday. Here we go!!

Thanks ladies! I have yet to discuss this with my primary care physician. I just decided to go to the seminar last week, and next week I see the surgeon. I will be calling my doctor tomorrow to set up an appointment. She is new to me, as my other doctor of 5 years moved. This may be a bit difficult to get her approval, but I'm hoping she'll do her due-diligence and read my record! So, I am just starting the process and wondering how my body will react to the low cal, low carb diet. I haven't done well in the past with those. I will have to talk to my nutritionist and the surgeon's nutritionist. They will know. I will also check my sugars frequently and have juice and glucerna drinks on hand. Thanks again! And, best of luck to you both too!

Hi, I have Type II Diabetes and am wondering how to manage my "hypos" (blood sugar drops) when you are preparing for surgery and post surgery on the liquid diets? I know when I have prepped for a colonoscopy before and had to be on a liquid diet for 24 hours, I had a very tough time managing my blood sugar on that diet! I am worried about this. I know many people who go through with the Lap-Band surgery have Diabetes. How does this work? Thank you for any advice/insight you have! Vacationgirl

I am researching the Lap-Band and a surgeon right now. I am wondering how long pre-op can take. How much weight or percent of your weight do the doctors want you to lose? I see people who are waiting one month for surgery from the beginning of finding a surgeon and some waiting 3 or 4 months. I am emotionally ready if I get doctor approval and just want to get started! Please comment if you can. Thanks much!

Thanks for the information about timing everyone :-) I am going to my 1st seminar tonight. I'm looking forward to asking more questions and hearing from the surgeons. I too have well documented weight losses/gains with having diabetes. I hope the appointments don't take too long to get. Heading out to the seminar. And, it begins! Thanks again!

Oh, thanks for filling me in on this. I hadn't read anything about it. :-)

Hi, So glad your process is going fast! Good luck on the 6th!! What is banned plication? Vacationgirl

Thank you. I have been on WW for 5 months, and have lost 10 pounds. So slow! Up and down too. I hope this will help my process go faster!

BI is Beth Israel. I am happy to help anytime! I'd love to hear what you find out! Please keep me posted!

Thanks Shanna! This is great to know. I have Cigna. He is covered! I will go to the seminar on Tuesday and call my doctor tomorrow. I am anxious to start this process to see if it's a go!

Hi again, I live in the Boston area. Did you go on Lapband.com? There are doctors in CT that may be closer. There is a doctor in Hartford, CT. His name is Dr. Scott Ellner. Phone number is 860-714-4819 Address: 1000 ASYLUM AVE STE 4320 HARTFORD, CT 06105 He is only one doctor on the website. You can call Lap-Band and they will send you information and give you surgeon names near you. Check out Lapband.com today and you'll have a lot of your questions answered so you'll be ready for your calls to doctors and insurance tomorrow. Also, my insurance is open 24 hours for questions about coverage and doctor coverage. Try them today too. Good luck!

Thank you, Shanna! I am going to Dr. Glasgow's seminar on Tuesday, 2/26! I'm sure you like Dr. Glasgow. How experienced is he? Is he very involved in pre and post surgery care? I hope my insurance is a fast! I have to have a nutrition consult and psych too. I hope my new primary care will be on board with this. I am calling her tomorrow. Good luck on 3/7! Vacationgirl

Good luck, Readyforthin! I wish you all the best!

Hi, Go to lapband.com. It is the website for this surgery. It gives you lots of info and testimonials and videos. Also, with a low BMI and if you have a comorbid illness like Diabetes, you may be eligible. Check out a seminar on that website. Go to one and contact one of the surgeons to get yourself started. That's what I did today, just educated myself. Good luck!

I really need this done before June ends because I have paid my $6000 deductible and don't want to pay again in July!!!!

Thanks Tatoo and Missy. My insurance says it will cover it if I get my primary care doc approval, a psych approval, and a nutrition approval, plus 3 months on a weight loss plan. I have been on WW many times and currently have been on WW for 4 months yo-yoing. I have a nutritionist for Diabetes. So, I need to get in touch with them this weeks for approval. Then, I guess I need to find out if insurance is going to add more weight loss time. I will call them to see. Sorry Tatoo about your 7 month wait. Insurance is a pain! Thanks! Vacationgirl