k2k07

Thanks Tomecia... I believe the process took from 24-48 hours. I only needed a BMI of 40 and that's it. I think that's why I was approved so fast. I just received the letter today, but it was dated 11/2. Just think, it took longer to send out the letter than to approve me. The doctor's office sent over everything...lab work, all test results, letter from my PPO...stuff like that. Good luck and I hope you get your approval soon...

I'M APPROVED!!!! :whoo::whoo::whoo::clap2::clap2::clap2:

hello all. i've been on this site for a while now...going through the entire gut wrenching process...:confused: i just had my paperwork submitted this past week. i called uhc just to verify, and they said it was received! i'm just waiting. the only wls exclusion my employer had was that my bmi had to be 40 or over...that's it! well i got that nailed. i'm pretty optimistic that i should be approved soon... on the other hand, i will be totally pissed if i'm not. i'll let you all know. i've been on this journey since 05/07 and i want that band already!!! :bandit

it's been a minute since i posted. i've been going through what i'm sure all of you have gone through at some time or another. i FINALLY got my paperwork submitted to insurance this week. i called insurance on friday just to verify (i hear ya gotta do that these days) and they said that yes they did receive it...may take up to 30 days...yadda yadda yadda...we'll see...fingers crossed.

E'vvl here! I'm going to Dr Burry. What stage are you at? I have 2 more nutrition classes before my paperwork is submitted.

care to share??

I told my 11 year old son that I want to have it done. He doesn't understand why I want to because he doesn't think I'm 'fat'. I guess he's love for me has blinded him of my extra 100 lbs on my frame... I haven't told my 4 year old because she wouldn't understand anyway. Neither of my children have weight problems and I'm hoping that this surgery will keep it that way.

My PCP is wonderful! He's been asking what I've been doing as far as diet and exercise for the last few years. This year for my yearly I told him that I wanted the lapband. He was totally on board. He ordered all of my lab work and even went so far as to have me see a Hematologist to check on my mild anemia. He didn't want the surgeons to have any excuse NOT to do my surgery. I think that with the new information that came out within the last couple of weeks about WLS not being cosmetic, but actually life saving will make more doctors who were against WLS for whatever reason feel more "at ease" about their patients seeking it. As far as your age being an issue, that shouldn't be a problem for your PCP. He/She can look at your past history to see that you've been struggling with your weight. Best of luck to you.

All of those are perfectly normal. As a matter-of-fact, my personal doctor orders those for me every year.

I've had a couple of minor surgeries before. My mom always accompanied me, but I only asked her to stay with me for a couple of hours while I slept off the anesthesia. After I woke up, I was good-to-go. I'm not sure if my mom will be able to come this time, and my doctor wants his patients to stay for 24hrs:faint:. I really don't want to stay...maybe we can discuss that. Anyway, if I have to stay I was going to drive myself to the hospital and have a taxi take me home...then right back to the hospital to retrieve me vehicle. This way I've been home and the hospital isn't liable for anything.

My NUT said an hour...

Southwestern Indiana (Evansville)

My psychological exam was a very long fill-in-the-bubble type test. It basically wants to know whether or not you are suicidal and if you'd be a candidate that can adhere to the band and all that comes with it (diet etc). As far as your question of when? Each doctor is different. My doctor requires 5 nutrition classes before they even send anything in to insurance. I started this journey on June 25th (first appointment), and it looks like I'll be scheduled for October (hopefully) or November (the latest). Like I said, every doctor is different.

what i was trying to say was it just doesn't depend on one w/o the other...the rest is self-explanatory.

...actually it has nothing to do with either. if you are eating the right foods, you generally DO NOT crave sweets. the band helps with the amount and yes you do have to make conscious decisions at meal time; however, if you went through all of the pre-op testing i did, you and your surgeon will know whether or not the band is for you. i'm thankful that the band was a decision i made long ago, and both my personal doctor and my surgeon think it's the best thing for me.:clap2:

:cry there's a misconception about obese people getting all of their nutrients. people think just because a person eats alot, they should be getting all of their nutrients. nothing can be further from the truth. it is more common for obese people to be malnourished than normal weight people b/c even though they are eating (overeating), that doesn't necessarily mean they are eating healthy things...which in most cases, they are not. :omg:

yes, i'm overweight. my bmi is 40. i've always been "slightly" anemic. my whole family share that trait. it's not the loss of iron, it's just that i don't make enough hemoglobin. at any rate, my personal doctor wants to dot all his I's and cross his T's so that i won't have any problems getting approved for the surgery because of the anemia. i had to go to a hemotologist today who just wants to make sure there is nothing that the medical field can do for my anemia...which if it's hereditary there isn't anything they can do...

I'm sorry I can't answer your question, but I do have a question for you. I see that you are/were anemic. How was that handled when you were getting ready for your surgery? I believe mine is heriditary b/c all the women and some men in my family have it. I just don't want the surgery to be prolonged with useless test to see why I'm anemic.

my first consult was June 27th. The doctor told me that the entire process would take 3-4 months. it took me forever to get a first consult appointment...about six weeks!! now everything has gone pretty fast. i've done everything i need to, now the doctors office submits it all to insurance...fingers crossed...

my primary had me get an ultrasound simply because my liver enzymes were elevated. i got it done at a radiological place...the same place i got my ultrasound done when i was pregnant. this place also does mammograms and xrays. hope this helps.

i took my psych eval about two weeks ago. it was the 'ole fill in the bubble type of test. one test had over 500 questions and the other about 300. there are plenty of questions like "are you suicidal, do you hate your family"...and things like that. a week later i met with the psych to go over the test. i asked her if i was sane, but she didn't answer me... we "discovered" that i was totally independent (didn't need a test to tell me that) and some other things. most importantly, the test revealed that i would do well with the band and i'm guessing that's all the insurance company really wants to know...that and me not being suicidal...

They finally showed someone who had the lapband surgery and they showed her getting her first fill!!!!:omg:

Ooops! I said that it airs on Tuesdays...NOT. It airs on Mondays at 8pm CST.

Great Book! I read it in 1 day...

I read the book by Miss Ali "Fighting Weight"...gives a lot of personal insight about being banded.