Tigerlily1020

I am also waiting on an appt with Dr. Cobean. Have started the process and I am patiently or rather impatiantly waiting!! I am on the midcoast in Newcastle!

Hi, I am in Maine as well. Not banded yet, but heading in the right direction!!

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it sure has given me hope. I was very upset yesterday and I too said "fine they can pay for all the problems that will arise with me being overweight" lol I am happy to hear that your struggles with the insurance company paid off. I will continue to battle until I win!!!!! Rae

Thank you both for your replies. I have not been tested for sleep apnea yet, however, I have a congenital heart defect (Transposition of the Great Vessels) and have had open heart surgeries as well as a pacemaker implant, so I am hoping/praying that because of the strain the extra weight is putting on my heart, the insurance company will see that this WLS is necessary

I just got off the phone with my insurance Company (Anthem BC/BS of NH) and they told me that WLS is excluded accross the board. I can appeal, but she warned me that because of the total exclusion I was probably wasting my time with an appeal. I am extremely disappointed. I have been reading these boards, I bought books on WLS/Lap band. I have been preparing myself both mentally and physically for this journey and now I am afraid it will never happen. If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them. Thanks for "listening" Rae

Whoa...I tried to edit and I think I messed it up...I just wanted to correct the spelling on exclusion..lol

<p>I just got off the phone with my insurance Company (Anthem BC/BS of NH) and they told me that WLS is excluded accross the board. I can appeal, but she warned me that because of the totaleclusion I was probably wasting my time with an appeal. </p> <p> </p> <p>I am extremely disappointed. I have been reading these boards, I bought books on WLS/Lap band. I have been preparing myself both mentally and physically for this journey and now I am afraid it will never happen!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them. </p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks for "listening"</p> <p> </p> <p>Rae</p>

Thank you everyone for your insight. I do know that this is the only way that I will be able to lose the weight and keep it off. I guess I just have the "what if" syndrome right now. I will take your advice Terry and stop reading the Complications board for awhile (out of sight out of mind)lol I get inspired by the before and after pics and will definately make that board a frequent stop. I am worried about re adjusting to food, I too (obviously) love food and am married to an executive chef, so food is a major part of our lives. My hubby is so supportive and has even said he would do the liquid part of the diet with me if I wanted him too. So sweet!! I wouldn't put him through that, but we did talk about him coming up with some yummy recipes!! Thanks again for all your input ! Rae

Hi all, First off I want to say that these message boards are so informative and I am soo glad that I "stumbled" upon them when I was researching the procedure. ( I am still waiting for my cardiologist referral so no surgery yet) That being said, I am scared!!! At first when I was collecting info and reading some posts I was psyched and couldn't wait for my paperwork to go through, and I still feel that way mostly..lol but the more I read and learn about the procedure, post op etc, I have to admit it is making me very nervous! I am afraid of being under the anesthesia, afraid that I will not be able to stick to the post op diet, etc.... I know these feelings are normal, but how did you all just bite the bullet and say "I am doing this"?? I know this is what I need... I am 5' 4" and weigh 294lbs. I have a heart condition that causes me to have a pacemaker. I know I will be better off losing weight and keeping it off. I just need to convince myself that I will be fine and this will work. I do have a very loving family who support me very much, so I know that will help also. Thanks for reading my ramblings:) Rae

That's wonderful!! I am very confident with MMC, I have had 2 open heart surgeries, a pacemaker implant and a c-section as well as natural childbirth there, and have been treated fabulously each and every time. It is a little scary trying to find a surgeon though so I want to thank you again for your input. Rae

Thanks Terry, It makes me feel better knowing of someone who has experience with the surgeons I am looking into. Congratuations on your Banding and your continued weight loss!! Rae

I am in the early stages of this process (waiting for my cardiologist to submit the referral and paperwork) I live in Midcoast Maine and will (hopefully) be going to the Bariatric Surgery Center in Portland. I would like to know if anyone has any experience with the banding here in Maine, or with the BSC and Dr. Cobean or Wolff? Thanks, Rae