jchazen22

Thanks for the comments. I am definatley going to ask my surgeon about all of this. I am putting out a fortune on the testing before hand, so I should get some kind of a break. :eek:

I , also can not find the STATE BY STATE link in this Obesity law section. but, a lot of good information.

Actually, I have probably expressed all of this wrong. I am looking for a way that my surgeon can go ahead and take out my Gall Bladder and do the Lap Band too even though I have an EXCLUSION on my insurance policy against WLS. Now, that is a toughy!

Let me see if I understand this---- If I have to have my gall bladder removed (because it has been bad for years and has a 1 inch stone) as long as the doc is already there, do the Lapband? Is that legal? To me, it seems practical. If I have the Lap Band, I will probably have to get it removed at the same time. What is the difference? Interesting.

Does anyone have any ideas where to go to borrow the money for the procedure? someone told me once that the company that makes the band might lend money. My exclusion in my insurance is going to kill me. And, I am feeling really desperate.:cry

Candle, Thank you very much. I will look into them. And, Good Luck to you on the pre-op diet and getting started.

Hi, Yes, I am having problems. I have been researching for 2 years and as of Jan. 2007, my insurance finally decided to join the band wagon of allowing the Lap band surgery.. REegence BCBS. Boy! was I excited!!!! I made the appointment for my seminar ( traveled 4 1/2 hours, spent a few days) and talked to the surgeon. He gave me paperwork to fill out, Got home and he accepted me as a patient. First thing he advised was to call my insurance company and see if it allows the surgery. Guess What? I have an Exclusion in my policy. So, here I am trying to find out what to do now. How can I even pay for all the testing they want if my insurance says they will not pay for anything to do with Obesity. Not even the testing. I am so disappointed and confused and feeling so hopeless. I do not know how to proceed from here.

I went to my first Seminar with Dr. Cahn in Boise. I knew I had an exclusion in my policy for the surgery but after reading everyone's comments here for some time now I figured they would help me get through it. One of the comments in their instruction sheet in big bold letters says: If there is an exclusion in your insurance (my words, now, not theirs) You should not even fill out the paperwork . I even spoke to one of the secretary's from the office that was there and she said Obesitylaw.com probably will not help either if there is an exclusion. I am devasdated. Without the insurance even paying for the pre-lim stuff, I do not have a chance. After 2 years of looking into this, I am devastated. NOw what?

Well, I just did this on Google. I can not believe how much it shows. I have a couple of other forums that I use and evryone of them came up. I was shocked. Guess I will be more careful what I say and ask.

Beachgirl, I know what you mean, I am single,60 yrs old and pay 300.00 a month for Regency Blueshiled. With diabetes, arthritis, FMS, Gallbladder disease and other things, I thought it would be a shoe in. When they announced that as of Jan. of this year they would pay for the Lapband, I was really excited after 2 years of looking and working on this. But! my company has an (exclusion) # 27 that will not pay for any thing dealing with weight loss. I have even had to have my family doctor make sure to put it in my notes but to not mention any weight loss on my visits or they will not pay for office calls. Makes me wonder why I have the insurance. But, after 2 years, I am not giving up!

Shar, I have heard some really good things about Dr. Anderson. I have a picture of him and Dr. Cahn together from another link I was on. I will look for it and send it to you. They both work from St. Al's in boise and My sis -in-law had Dr. Cahn. I thought about going with Dr. Anderson but until I go to that darn seminar on June 11th , I won't get too far . I am sure he will be great. I am not nervous at all, I have been looking into this for 2 years, my problem is insurance. But I am not going to let that stop me.

Hi, I am actually from Clarkston WA. but work across the bridge in Idaho and have decide to go to my first seminar in Boise on June 11th for Dr. Cahn. Believe me this has been 2 years of being on the net, and have thought and scheduled appointments in Everett washington but all the family and my sis-in-law had hers in Boise. So, I am headed there.