K-Kat

Hi Season, How did the meeting at MCE go today? Did anybody bring up the topic of BCBS paying for the surgery? I'm just waiting on my 3-page packet from BCBS of all of their guidelines and stipulations to arrive in the mail. I know about the 7 month diet, but I want to see what else they require. My husband is very supportive but thinks that I need to seek advice from other people who are in the same situation (self-pay vs. insurance pay). He knows how badly I want to start though, and the advantage of self pay is that you avoid all of the hoops and get started quicker. Maybe I'm just impatient, but I'm just tired of putting my life on hold and making the excuse, "I'll do that when I lose weight," etc. I'm excited for you though, and let's continue to stay in touch. I know that you will do GREAT with your band!! (: Talk to you soon! (:

Hey Season! How are you? I went to the Lap Band support group meeting back in February after I attended the Lap Band/Gastric Seminar at MCE earlier that morning. I'm really torn as to what to do---I know that my BCBS will now pay for Lap band if I meet the requirements. At the same time, I've been battling my weight since 6th grade. Up-down-up-down...like a roller coaster. For the past several years I've tried every diet under the sun at least three times and while I've lost some weight each time I can't maintain it, or it just plateaus and then I get discouraged and fall off the wagon again and gain it back. The thought of going on another major diet horrifies me, but BCBS will only authorize surgery after I have been on a supervised diet for 7 months. I've gotten to the point where I avoid family get-togethers, going out with friends...I hate to be seen in public, always depressed---it's just really killing my psyche and my spirit. My other problem is if I self pay, I'm still trying to secure the other half of the payment. My husband and I are both teachers and still paying student loans, etc. So...I just feel like I'm in a catch-22. Any advice from anyone would be soooo appreciated. Have a great weekend!

Hi MkU, Do you know if your BCBS is making you do the 7 month dr. supervised diet? I have BCBS PEEHIP (teacher) and I just learned that BCBS will pay for lap band but I don't know what the requirements are. Just wondering if you have any info. (:

Tami, For some reason I got your screen name confused with pelhamlisa hence the pelham reference in my last reply! Sorry about that!! (:

Hi Tami, I just wanted to say "Hi," and tell you that I'm from Pelham too! I've been researching lap band surgery for the past three years and I am in the process of trying to qualify for it. I've just learned BCBS is now paying for the surgery (I'm awaiting paperwork from them to see what hoops have to be jumped through). I would really like to self-pay because I already have enough to pay for half of the cost of the surgery, but my husband and I are both teachers in Alabama (need I say more! haha!), so the thought of insurance helping pay is so tempting, however I'm sure that there is a waiting period similar to gastric bypass as Crabcake mentioned. Anyway, to make a long story short, I've been reading the forum for several months and I wanted to congratulate you on your weight loss--it's AMAZING and you're an inspiration to me. Keep up the great work! (:

Hi Crabcake, When you spoke with BCBS what did they tell you about the requisites? Newbie here...hi everyone!