Lisa*in*NJ

Thanks everyone! Great info, just what I was looking for. Alex ~ I found a Dr Onopchenko in Pamona(outside Atlantic City) who has a very good rep. although I hear he is strict- seems that would be better for me anyway. I am so anxious to get everything started. NJchick- good luck with your seminar, what town is it located? Thanks everyone! Lisa still working on this ticker

Hi everyone I am waiting to attend a mandatory seminar on Aug. 13th - a must before I can even get a consultation with the surgeon. Anyways, the wait is driving me crazy!! I love reading everyone's posts and just want it to be "my turn". My question is-is there anything I can do at this point to make the whole process go faster?? My PCP is willing to give me referals to any Dr's I need to see, but can I, or should I do anything this early on? Thanks for any suggestions. Lisa

I am here too!! Salem County Lisa sorry working on ticker problem below

Awesome, good luck to you!! Lisa

I can't belive you have to pay so much just for the seminar, luckily the one that I have to attend is free. I can get the referal in a matter of a day or so, I just didn't know if there was anything else I could do at this point to help things move along faster. I can't even make the appointment with the surgeon until AFTER I attend the seminar and then who knows how long it will be after that...at that point I can only hope and pray that my insurance pays for it.

What to do????? I want to make an appointment with the surgeon for a consult which is out of pocket..$85.00-ok I can handle that. The problem is, my insurance co- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Sheild will not tell me what is required to be approved. Without their coverage I can not have this done. I hate to waste the time and money if I don't qualify to begin with. Don't I have the right to know ahead of time if I have a chance of being covered? Anyone else run into this problem??

thanks everyone for the responses. I did call back and spoke to the 3rd person, she was a lot more open with me and was a geat help. Alex~ I was told by the surgeons office that they did accept my insurance but would have to pay the consult up front...hmm, for whatever reason. What I failed to realize was that my insurance Horizon BCBS-(POS) will only let me go to a surgeon in my network-in NJ. I may sound clueless but I really never needed to know any of this before. So back to square one. I wish I were closer North so I could go to your Dr. but at this time I just can't travel that far - 2 1/2 hrs. I guess I really shouldn't complain because look at all of the people who have to travel to Mexico. So now I am on the hunt for a surgeon a little closer to home - At the very least, want to get a consult set. I visited my PCP on Tuesday and he said once I find one, he will give me a referell(sp?) asap. Thanks again for your help, any other suggestions- I am all ears! Lisa

This was great, thank you!!

Hi everyone, I am still reasearching as much as possible but I am pretty convinced that the band is for me. 34 yrs old married with 2 girls 7 and 3 5'6 270lbs BMI 43.6 YIKES! I have been on EVERY diet possible and I am now at my last resort! I want so desperatly to see my girls grow up- I want to be able to ride bikes with them and to just play tag with them in the back yard. My weight has ruled my whole life, I dont want to live this way anymore!! ANYWAYS, I called my insurance this morning and they said that they do pay for some bandings but there are conditions. I have to visit my Dr and then they have to contact the insurance co. for these conditions-they won't tell me what they are-hmm. So I have an appointment on Monday- I guess I have to start somewhere! Go luck to everyone out there! Lisa

Ok here I go with another question. I have been researching Dr's in my area - I can not travel because of little ones at home and no babysitter. I have received several names of Dr's in my state but I was also wondering about the Barix centers? I am 45-60 minutes from the one in Philadelphia, that location would be perfect for me. Any opinions on the centers in general would be a great help. Thanks again everyone. Lisa

Hi everyone, I am in the early research stage but am seriously considering the Lap band. I am 34yrs old but feel like 54. My BMI is at 43.6 with borderline HB and aching feet and knees. Can anyone recommend any Dr's in New Jersey? I live in the southern part of the state 20-25 minutes from DE. Thanks, Lisa

We are covered by Horizon Blue cross Blue Shield- any ideas what my chances are with them?? Just curious because their rep. wouldnt tell me any of the requirements. I am so afraid to get my hopes up...If insurance doesn't pay for this, I will not be getting it. I am a stay at home mom and we could not afford this on our own. My fingers are crossed. Lisa:)

Thanks Alex, I tried the link you gave me but it won't bring anything up. Lisa