affy

Hello- I am a teacher in Beaumont. I was told that BCBS ActiveCare would not cover the surgery. I am on Level 2. I am happily surprised to see that you were approved. Can you help me out a little here? a) Did your doctor send any special letters/paperwork to the insurance company? What department at BCBS did you contact? c) Do you think your choice of doctor had any impact on BCBS approving you? d) Can you send me an outline of the letter you sent in?....without any personal info, of course. Thanks for any advice you can lend.

Thank you! And good luck on those finals! I'm glad those are behind me now.

Hi Kristin- Do you have a website link to the Wish Center? Thanks:)

Insurance will not pay. Those of you that chose to self-pay, are there any medical procedure financing companies that are easy to work with? I am looking at having the surgery done in the states. Thank you.

Okay, time for a male to "weigh" in on this. I speak too straight sometimes, but straight talk is easiest understood. He is a wretch. He does not deserve you. My wife is overweight, and she is just as beautiful to me now (or more-so), as she was 15 years ago (when she was thin). She never makes me feel bad for being overweight....I do enough of that to myself. Again, he does not deserve you. Shallow! Shallow! Shallow! So, will he "love" you again, when you lose weight? Will you ever be sure? So, if your child becomes overweight, will he stop loving that child? I never encourage divorce.....but, you know, he makes me want to tell you to file. Instead, I will encourage marriage counselling. HE needs it.

I called them again today, and explained the situation. They are sending me some loan info.

Is that for 5 years? Do they do 10 years? hehe

Hi all- I am in Beaumont and, have been away a while, due to Hurricane Rita. My family doctor wrote out a paper today, saying that I have been working on weight loss for 8 years (to satisfy the 5 year requirement by BC/BS). My wife called Dr. Spiegel for me, but they said that he no longer accepts BC/BS. Is there a Lap Band Doctor in SE Texas that will accept my teacher's BC/BS ActiveCare? Thanks PS. I missed work today because my blood pressure is running wild. My doctor says I am knocking on the door of congestive heart failure. I am 37 years old.

Thanks, all! I have an appointment set up with the Surgilean group. I don't know who the Dr. will be yet. The lady on the phone told my wife that they accept BCBS, but that BCBS are "very strict on requiring documentation of a one year physician-monitored weight loss program." She said that many folks will simply wait a year to have it done. I may have to wait if the documentation does not satisfy.

I had finally convinced myself to push to be banded, as some of my relatives have really done well with it. My insurance company is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. I just found their policy regarding this: Oh, I have tried to lose the weight for much longer than five years, but have never had physician supervision. Heck, my doctor is very over-weight. There is no way I can pay for this on my own....a school teacher just does not make enough. We have just adopted twin baby boys. I am totally in love with them, but am afraid I will not see them grow up, as my dad and uncle both died at relatively early ages...and I am heavier than either of them ever were. I feel I am at a dead-end.

This is the policy. I have not submitted to them, yet. I will talk with my doctor.

Do you have to travel to Mexico for fill adjustments?

Thank you both. (By the way, I am the Daddy---not the Mommy.) I do not have doctor records for any weight reduction plans. There is really nothing for me to pull from. Unfortunately, last year I was hospitalized for a week for chest pains and high blood pressure. Heart attack, stroke, and diabetes hit my family line pretty hard. Two major back surgeries keep me from exercising as I should. Sorry, I am just feeling kinda down right now, as I had built myself up to pursue this, after being afraid of it for so long. Thanks again for your support.