Champ715

I am on day 2 post op and I feel absolutely miserable. I can't keep any main medicine down. I can only tolerate water, broth, and half a Popsicle. I am in so much pain and discomfort and just want to feel better. How long did it take for you to start feeling better? I know it's different for everyone but I'm just curious.

I got my insurance approval on Monday and I'm scheduled for surgery next Wednesday, 9/30. This whole time I haven't been nervous but the nerves are finally setting in now that I know it's happening! I've made a list of things to bring with me but I know I can't anticipate everything. Can anyone give me some helpful tips to calm my nerves and make sure I don't forget anything! Input is greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!

My experience has been that insurance companies strictly enforce the rules because they want to find any and every excuse not to pay for your surgery. They will probably deny you if your BMI was below 40 at any point in the last 3 years. However, your doctor can submit an appeal and fight them. They may come back and approve you then. All insurance companies and policies are different so your best bet is to call your provider and ask them directly.

My surgery date is next Wednesday 9/30!

I just got my insurance approval Monday and now I'm waiting for the surgery date. My surgeon's office actually refused to schedule the surgery before they got the insurance approval. It's so odd how everyone is different.

That's odd. I have BCBS of Alabama and was weighed by either the nutritionist or the nurse every time during my 6 month visits. I have only seen the doctor twice during my whole process, once at the beginning and once at the end.

I have BCBS of AL and had to do a 6-month supervised diet. My surgeon's office submitted my paperwork online Monday and I was approved instantly. I'm not sure if all offices can do the electronic approval. The insurance company has 30 days to make a decision if the paperwork is submitted by mail or fax.

I have BCBS of AL and was approved instantly. My doctor's office submitted it online and got an instant response.

I have had both United Health Care and BCBS of Alabama during my 6 month pre-op program. It was explained to me that my BMI must be above 40 for every single weigh in during that 6 month period. If my BMI had dropped below 40, then I would have had to start all over. Insurance companies want to find any excuse NOT to pay for your surgery so if they see you losing weight on the supervised diet, they will think "she can lose weight by dieting so she doesn't need the surgery" and will not approve you. I know that sound silly but that's the way it was for me under both UHC and BCBS. I wasn't sure this info was correct so I called both insurance companies myself and they verified for me.

I have BCBS of Alabama and just got my approval on Monday. They required 6 full months (7 visits/ 180 days) pre-op consultation with a nutritionist. I had my last appointment Friday 9/18 and the insurance was submitted and approved immediately Monday 9/21. My doctor's office has some way to submit online with BCBS AL so mine came back right away. I'm not sure if other offices do the same thing though. I am still waiting for the nurse to call me and schedule the surgery. Fingers crossed they call me today! Good luck!

Does your surgeon's office have an insurance coordinator? The one at my surgeon's office has been so helpful with finding out what all the insurance requirements are and making sure I meet them. If your office doesn't have someone like that, I would suggest maybe calling HEALTHNET and getting them to tell you exactly what their requirements are. Just make sure you get specifics. For example, my BCBS policy says a "6 month supervised diet" is required but nowhere in the policy does it say that period must cover a true 180 days. I only found out because the insurance coordinator told me. So, let's say I started on March 21 then had my last appointment on September 3, BCBS would deny me because it wasn't a full 180 days. I've found there are so many little things like that they don't tell you about.

I'm hoping for an October date as well. I have one more visit with my NUT on September 18th. I'm very excited and praying every day for approval but I'm also super nervous. I just try to keep myself busy so I don't think about it so much

@@oceangirlpc Hi there! Don't be discouraged! I first made the decision to see a surgeon back in March. I had no idea what my insurance requirements were so I was pretty bummed to be told I had to wait 6 months/6 visits as well. I started a new job in May that switched me to BCBS AL which requires 7 visits (a full 180 days), so that was another pretty disheartening setback. My last appointment with the nutritionist will be September 18th then I'll be finished with all my requirements. I can honestly say these 6 months have flown by. It seems like last week that I first met the surgeon. If I could go back to March and NOT have to do the 6 months, I think I would have done it anyway. This time has allowed me to prepare for all the changes that are to come. I honestly don't think I would have been ready 6 months ago. It's also allowed me to build a solid relationship with my surgeon and nutritionist. I am in touch with my NUT almost on a weekly basis and I've come to feel like she is a friend, not just a nutritionist. Insurance hurdles have by far been my biggest annoyance and source of anxiety. I can tell you from experience that it doesn't do any good to worry about it. Just jump through their hoops and before you know it, you will be approved and on to your new journey! Good luck and hang in there!

I was planning on telling one of my close friends but I've just changed my mind today. She was telling me about her dad's friend who got the LapBand and how surgery is "an easy way out for lazy people". That's precisely the kind of ignorance and negativity that I don't need/want/care about.

Hi everyone! I am almost finished with my 6 month supervised diet that is required by BCBS AL My general practice MD told me to print my medical records from my patient portal online so I have the 3 years of height/weight records that I need (Hopefully the surgeon's office will accept a printout). Realistically, I don't think I have any reason to worry that I won't be approved but my anxiety is getting the best of me lately. I am getting so close to being finished with all the requirements and my anxiety is making me a nervous wreck. I am either constantly worrying that I won't get approved or worrying that I will get approved but have complications. I have called both my insurance company and my insurance coordinator but haven't heard back yet (and it's been over a week). The waiting and not knowing part is the worst part for me. Has anyone else dealt with similar feelings this close to surgery? I'm just hoping to find some words of encouragement from fellow patients. Thanks in advance!

If you don't mind me asking....what kind of things is the case manager making you do?? I'm having major anxiety lately over the approval process.

I had my second appointment with bariatric center today. This was the appointment were they go over my insurance requirements. I have United Health Care and they require 6 months of check ins with the dietician and doctor before approval. The lady from the clinic who was going over my insurance told me that if at any point during this 6 months I fall below the BMI qualifications, insurance will immediately deny me. Is this true? I thought they just wanted to see that you were putting forth the effort for 6 months but would still approve you if your surgeon approves you. My BMI is .3 away from the qualifying number. This seems very trivial but I suppose that's how the insurance companies operate. I am wondering how long it will take to get approval and schedule the surgery after the 6 months are up. Has anyone else experienced this 6 month wait period?

Hi all, I'm glad I found this online support community. I am a 27 year old female at 5'0 and 203 pounds. I was around 150 in college but I have gained weight over the years and had very little success losing it. I have tried weight watchers, a weight loss clinic, exercise, and even a doctor-prescribed weight loss pill. I'm afraid if I don't do something soon, I will be facing severe health problems by the time I'm 30. I want to be a healthy and fit young woman. I had my first LapBand appointment/consultation yesterday. I felt good about it but then I went home and started Googling. Bad idea. Don't do this. I came across several horror stories about band slippage, stomach erosion, etc. I wanted to get some advice from those who have had the surgery. Do you regret it? Have you had any severe complications? Would you do it again? I really appreciate you taking time to read this and respond. Thank you! Courtney