marywalker20

Thanks for the info. I am calling my doctor in the morning. I love this forum!

Wow that royally bites! What I have learned from UHC is that they are very misleading. I would suggest that you appeal their denial for coverage. At the end of June my doctor submitted my paperwork, I called them on July 3rd and the girl on the phone said I was approved and should recieve my letter in the mail. I was soooo excited. Anyway, I waited and waited but no letter. So I called them back and they informed me that my claim had been denied because my BMI is under 40 even though I had 4 co-morbidities. I was mad!! I got all my doctors recommendations and test results and appealed. I called today and the girl told me that they overturned their original decision on July 27th and that I should get a letter of approval in the mail. Can't tell you how many times I asked if she was sure... Anyway, I won't relax on this until my letter. Appeal the denial. It can't hurt and the paperwork is super simple. In fact if you go to myuhc.com, they have a link for appeals under "claims". Good luck and God bless! Mary

Don't get me started on UHC. I have never talked to a more confusing company in all my life. My paper work was submitted the 20 something of June. I called on June 29 to make sure the paperwork was receiveed. The girl on the phone pulled up the paperwork and said "congradulations" you have been approved. I was so excited!! The girl told me to expect my confirmation letter in the mail in the next week. A week came and went and still no letter. I called UHC on the second week of July and was informed that I would not be getting a confirmation because on July 5th, they denied my claim because my BMI was under 40. Never mind I have 4 major co-morbidities which have all been documented along with letters of lap band recommendations. I am currently appealing the process. Since that time I have had to fax my appeal to 3 different machines until someone would admit they had it, even though the customer care people had been giving the fax numbers. My advice to you is to recall, document names, and talk to supervisors. It's sad that we have to do this, but at UHC they treat you like you are mearly a number on a form. So sad. Good luck and I hope you have been approved!

Congrats Thinner1 (Mary) You should feel so good about being able to buy smaller tops and bottoms. Oh my gosh, I can't wait to experience that!! Of course anyone else in the dressing room will probably become concerned about my dancing. Seriously, I want to take this banding as one small miracle at a time. Last week, my husband took out a bunch of old videos to convert to DVD and it has really motivated me to find the old skinny me. Good Luck to all us Virginians!

<p>All i can say is WOW!!! You are truly an inspiration to people like me that are just starting this journey. Congrats on the new you!</p>

I won't get the band for a couple of weeks yet, but at our nutrition meeting they told us that it was crucial that you not eat for 90 minutes following a meal. Hope this helps, and congrats on the 33 lb weight loss. You are doing really great!!!

Wow Carolyn, I would think that age would be all the more reason to get it done. I am 52 and still have a lot of living to do, and so do you! Losing weight will give you a new lease on life and might even lengthen your life if you change to a healthier lifestyle. Women over 50 need an extra boost when it comes to losing weight and I am not ashamed to admit that I can't do it on my own. And I am betting that this lap band is the answer to my prayers. I know I am going to have to follow the doctors rules to the letter, and hold myself accountable every day. But I am willing to give it my all. I have a niece that had the lap band put on last year and has lost 120 pounds and looks great! She is healthier, has more self esteem, and has doubled her energy levels. Do it for yourself!

Got my approval today. I have UHC and it took the insurance company only 4 days to send my approval!! But my nurse is on vacation this week, and so i have to wait until Monday to find out when my pre-op appt is going to be...bummer!

Hey Kathy Best of luck to you and I pray you get a fast approval!!

Marty I don't think that you have to have a BMI of over 40. My BMI has always been 39 and less. My doctors office just told me that they just want to make sure you have been overweight for five years. When my PCP submitted myinformation to them, she just stated that i had been overweight for 5 years and then she went on to highlight my MO's and how the lap band would benefit those problems. I was approved in 4 days. Good luck in getting this resolved.

I just got off the phone with UHC. My doctor faxed my paperwork to them on June 28th and today the lady told me that it had been processed and approved. Wow, that was fast! Hope everyone else has the same great luck! :whoo: Mary

Hi Mary Congrats on your impending banding. You are right, we are strong. :confused: I hope to be called in the next few days to schedule my pre-op and start my diet. Did I really say I am anxious to start a diet? Anyway, I have had a lot of knee surgeries at St Mary's and the hospital staff is really great. So I think we have all made a great choice. And I have talked to a lot of Dr Schroders patients at seminars and such and they all rave on about him. My doctor is Dr Brengman (new guy- YIKES!). Anyway I can't wait to get this done. My niece had the lap band put on last year and lost over 100 pounds and looks and feels awesome. She says that it is the best thing she has ever done, and has never for one second regretted her decision. God Bless

Hang in there. I know it's insane that we have to jump through so many hoops to get this procedure, but keep your eyes on the prize. I have to get a CPAP machine too, and if you think about it, it's a good thing. From what I read on this message board, if you use it, you will be twice as rested. So maybe all this running around testing, fitting, and don't forget about the endless paperwork is all worth it in the end. I know that 2 months ago I had no idea I had sleep apnea, and was borderline diabetic. So thanks to all this testing I at least know what my problems are and can work to improve my health. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that you get some good news from your pulmonary doctor. God Bless

I understand what you mean. I have gotten off the HRT when I had my knees replaced and I went through the night sweat thing all over again. What a pain!

I hope that my comment about stopping the HRT meds before the lap band procedure hasn't scared anyone. I just meant that you might want to run it by your doctor because my doctor warned me about it and told me to stop mine prior. It just might be that my doctor is extra cautious. Sorry if I worried anyone.

We visited with the Nutritionist last week, and she told us that the Carnation non fat powder is the best way to get extra protein. She recommended that we blend it into our Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast mix. She said to add a 1/3 cup of the powder to the Instant Breakfast packet and 1 cup skim milk. This is for our initial liquid period right after our banding, but she said that even afterwards it's a good source of protein. Good Luck!!

Hi Ladies My Primary doctor (who is super) gave me some advice the other day when I was getting my check up. She told me to stop taking my Estrogen at least a week before my lap band procedure because the medicine thickens the blood and can increase your chances of a blood clot. I have not heard this before, and wanted to pass the information along to anyone else that might be take estrogen as a harmone replacement. Of course talk to your doctor, but it might be a good thing to check. My doctor also told me that after a few weeks I could start taking the estrogen again. God Bless Have a great evening.

Hello and welcome!! This is a great place to come and share your concerns and successes. I have learned so much reading these boards that i feel ready to make the plunge into lap band world. Good Luck

Here is the link, I hope it works. If it doesn't it's listed under the Insurance thread entitled UHC- choice wont cover. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f8/uhc-choice-plus-wont-cover-28025/ Good luck!

Hi JP Yesterday, a gal on the UHC thread posted a message about UHC changing their fax number. Her paperwork was lost for six weeks because of this and had to start the process all over again. She has all the info so you might want to contact her and get the right fax number and make sure your Dr is sending it to the right place. I started my waiting period yesterday and you can bet I am going to make sure they have my paperwork no later than Monday. Good luck!!

Hey Stacy. That is just awful! My paperwork was submitted to UHC today so my waiting game begins too. But hopefully since yours royally messed up, the approval will be recieved right away. And thanks for the headsup on the new number for UHC. I will call next week and if no one has recieved it, I will get the office to call. Good Luck@

Wow Edie! I have been watching these boards for a couple of months now and it's gals like you that are a true success that inspire us. Keep up the good work and pat yourself on the back. You deserve it!

Indigogirl. A friend of mine got the lap band last year and is now maintaining her 130 pound frame. Anywhoooo, she gave me some advice before I had my psych eval. She said be careful what you bring up because it can lead to a whole string of appointments before her releases you to have the lap band. So when I went in he kept trying to drag me into old problems that really don't affect me today. I kept quiet and within 20 minutes he told me that I was cleared. Now I am sure that some people might need the help, but I was not wanting to spend a ton of money and time on something that didn't bother me. Good luck on Thursday!

Is it alright if I join your group? I am a proud 52, and looking forward to my lap band sometime in July (hopefully, waiting for insurance approval). You guys sound like a fun group!

Hi Diana I am 52 and going on this journey too. I have finished my testing and classes and currently playing the waiting game (insurance). My niece had the lap band put in a year ago and swears it's the best thing that has ever happened to her. She is slim and beautiful!! I am not looking to look 30 again, but like you, just want to keep up with the kids and grandkids. I have 4 kids ranging in age from 29 to 14, and two sweet grandbabies. We raise horses so I don't have time to feel bad. Anyhow, I have 2 co-morbidities, sleep apnea and a letter of recommendation from my orthopedic surgeon because I have had both knee replaced and extra weight weakens the prothesis. I have done a lot of reseach as well as reading this memo board and feel like this is the perfect fit for me. I am glad to see that I am not the only old fart that is getting the band. "Old gals rule"!!