terry

Has anyone heard about the procedure (VBG) Vertical Banding Gastro-- My insurance will not cover the lap-band, but will cover the VBG. I don't know anything about this procedure. If anyone knows anything good or bad I would love to hear it. From what I understand it is the older version of the lap-band. I just don't understand why bs/bs of ga. won't pay for the lap-band. Thanks in advance for your help!!!! Hopeless in Georgia! Terry

Thanks for the informtion you gave me. That's the most I've heard about the VBG. If that was your last choose of surgery would you do it? Since I've already fought one battle with Cigna regarding the lap-band and lost, do you think I have a chance in hell to win with BS/BS? I don't want it to sound like I'm giving up and chosing another prodedure because they will pay for it. When I was trying to go thru Cigna the funny thing was I was to told that it would be payed for it if I followed all the guide lines. Which I did, ALL of them! Then was told after it went to Intercorp which approves all of Cigna's surgerys, it was not a cover procedure and they do not and never did cover the lap-band. So that's why I kind of reluctant to start the battle with BS/BS when they are saying up front to me that they will NOT cover the lap-band. Sorry to be venting so much. I really want this to happen. I've already spent $500.00 at the first doctor's office, (which we did not have). My husband is still very upset with me, he feels that I might as well thrown the money out the window. What do you think??? Should I presue BC/BS or just get the VBG??? Thanks again!! Terry

I also have bc/bs of Ga. and was told that they will NOT cover the lap-band, but will cover other surgery's such as RNY or VGB. From what I understand is the VBG is an older version of the lap-band. I getting some information from my surgeon regarding this. Does anyone have any information about this VBG? Good or bad I would love to here!!!!! I wish you luck with you fight with bc/bs, I just went threw all of that with Cigna and was in the appeal mode when my insurance company was changed to bs/bs. I have not yet sent any information to bc/bs regarding the lap-band due to the fact they told me under no uncertain terms it would not be covered, but the VBG would be. Explain that one!!!!! Once again I wish you luck!!! Terry

Hi everyone, Today I was informed after waiting a week to hear from my insurance company that they did not RECIEVE anything. My doctor's office said they would re-fax everything this afternoon. The doctor's called and they said they recieved and for us to call them in 5 working days, which would be next Friday. The only problem is that I'm under the gun and need to have the surgery done by the end of the month, due to insurance reason. I guess what pissed my off was that I feel I wasted a week on waiting to hear from the insurance company, only to find out they (claimed) they did not have it. I'm sure that's typical of the insurance game!!!!!!! Anyways, the waiting game begins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for listening!!! Terry

Hi Anne, The reason I need to rush the surgery is that I'm changing insurance company on Sept. 30. I've already meet all my deductables for Cigna, even my out of pocket, which means the surgery would be covered at 100% I'm a little afraid to call them to have them put a rush on this for that fact they might figure out what's going on. We are changing to BC/BS of GA, and from what I understand covers all of this. But the thought of going thru all of this again, just drives me crazy. How long after Cigna recieved your information did it take them to responed and then to approve you?? They told my doctor's office to call them next Friday the 10th. I'm afraid that's not going to be enough time even if they do approve me. Although my doctor office said we would be able to get the pre-op stuff taken care of. The stress begins!!!! Thanks for your support!!! Terry

Teresa, Thanks for your well wishes. I know it's just a waiting game, buy it's still hard to do!!!!! Terry

Hi all, I just need to blow of some steam. I was told my doctor's office to wait till today to call them and see what the progress was with my insurance company. They had faxed all the information to them last Friday or this Monday, I'm not to sure on that one. Anyways, today my doctor's office was told that (Cigna) never recieved any my information. So they re-faxed everything again this afternoon and we have confirmed that they did recieve it. Cigna told them to give them 5 days for go over it and for us to call them next Friday. That's all good, but my problem is that I have to have the surgery done by the end of this month, as for my insurance changes to BC/BS of GA. Anyway, that's for letting me vent, I feel better now. Terry

Hi everyone, I've really enjoyed reading about everyone's expriences with the lap-band. My doctor just sent all my medical information to my insurance company on Friday. I have Cigna PPO insurance. My only problem is that our insurance changes to BC/BS of GA at the end of Sept. Right now we have met all of our deductables, even our out of pocket one. So the surgery would be covered at 100%. Any advise on how to speed things up with Cigna? I sent them everything they requested. Six months of records from my doctor on my weight progress, letter from dietition, phys. therapist and from a psychologist. A letter of recomindation from OBGYN and my Chiropractor. (and blood work). Think that's going to cause any red flags????? My weight right now is a whooping 205 and I'm 5 ft 2 in tall. My BMI is 37. I would love any advise from anyone, I really, really want to get this done. I read alot of wonderful things about everyones journey with the lap-band, I just want to join the lap- band club!!!!!!! Thanks in advance for any help or advance. TERRY

Sorry, I meant an envelope not a mail box!!!! It my mean nothing, but I just wondering. Thanks, Terry

Thanks for your repley, I'm planning on calling the insurance department starting Thursday. I have a silly question as well. What is the little mail box next to my name mean and why is it sealed and everyone one else is open? Did I do something wrong when I signed in? And one more thought, I had a dream last night that my insurance company got on this web site and was reading EVERYTHING! (do think that ever happens?) I'll keep you up to date on what I hear. Thank you do much for your support, I really needed to hear some good news. Thanks again, Terry

Hi everyone, I just got all my information submitted to my insurance company today. I have Cigna PPO and I hope everything goes well. I gave them all that they requested and them some. I'm a stay at home Mom of 2 children and I'm 5ft 2 in and weight 205. My BMI is 37. My only problem is that I'm kinda of on a time line here. We change insurance company to BC/BS of GA at the end of Sept. So in need to get this approved and done by the end of the month. The good part of Cigna is that we have met all the deductables, even our out of pocket which mean the surgury would be covered at 100%. What are my chances of this happening???? My doctors office advised me to start calling the insurance company by Thursday if we don't here from them. Does anyone have any advise on how to make this happen any faster. I send them the 6 month's letter from the doctor on my weight in's and dieting progess. A letter of recomindation from the same doctor. A diet history as far back as I could remember, a letter from the phys. therapist and dietation. A letter from the phychologist, from my OBGYN and Chiropractor, and blood work. Do you think that I covered it all? I probably sent them too much information and they are going to wonder why!!!! Anyway, LOVE this site. I've reading it for a while now and just decided to tell my story to you all. Wish me luck in jounrey of the lap-band world. I'm so exicited to have this done, I think this will make a big difference in my life. Thanks in advance for any advise!!!! Terry

Hi everyone, I'm very new at this, so please bare with me. I'm in the process of getting approved for the lap-band producer. I'm a stay at home Mom, 42 years old and have two children. I think my biggest problem with my weight issue is that I think my body is a humun garbage disposal. Anything that my kids don't eat, I do! I'm 5ft 2in and weight 204, my all time HIGH!!! My BMI 37.1, so their for I quailfy for the lap-band. I have all my info to send to the insurance company, my 6 months of doctors care for wieght lose, my clinic work-up in tomarrow morning. My only problem is that our insurance changes at the end of Sept. for i need to get this done ASAP. Any advise on how to speed up the approval from the insurance companys? I have Cigna PPO. Sorry to be going on and on, I'm just getting alittle nervous about the process. Very exicited about being banded.!!!! I have a friend who thinks that I'm taking the easy way out and being lazy about starting to diet and work out AGAIN. But, bare in mind, she also 6ft and 130 pd. So I don't think she really understand what it is like to have a weight problem your entire life. Anyway, thanks to anyone who reads this. Wish me luck for the morning!!!!!!!!! Terry