Tressa Teel

It may depend on your surgeon. I had to pay my deductible plus 20% estimated cost with my BCBS Insurance. The surgical coordinator should be able to tell you how much you would need to pay before the procedure is scheduled. I hope this helps

I had originally considered the band to the sleeve and got approved. Then I changed my mind and did the band to bypass, I was able to get approved again. I am not sure why some people get approved quick and others don't.

Good Luck. My surgery is tomorrow also.

Short and Sweet. I have overweight for over 20 years. I was banded in September 2012 in Baltimore Md at GBMC. According to the surgeon, I wasn't overweight enough for sleeve or bypass. At my first fill appointment, the doctor could not find the port. (Can you imagine the feeling of a needle moving around looking for the port). Come to find out the port slipped. I went in again November 2012 to have the port re-attached. I completed all of my follow-ups and lost 40lbs. I moved to Raleigh, NC in March of 2014. I went a full year and a half without connecting with a Bariatric practice. I was referred to Dr. Bermudez by my PCP and met with him Sept 22, 2015, expecting to get a fill. After discussing some symptoms, Dr. Bermudez wanted to do an endoscopy to check my band position. Sure enough, it had slipped. Dr. Bermudez suggested the bypass surgery and I was scared. My insurance did not require a 6 month weight loss requirement, just to do the normal pre-operative items (psychiatry visit, support groups, blood work). I didn't have to do a sleep study. At my decision appointment, despite all of the information my surgeon provided, I wanted the sleeve. He said ok. I was approved December 23, 2015 and scheduled for surgery on February 3, 2016. After doing soul searching and research, I decided the bypass would be the best option. I contacted the office and luckily, I was able to get approved quickly for the bypass. (I know I am incredibly bless to get an approval on the first try). So here I am. Surgery scheduled February 3, 2016. I am scared Sh*tless..I hear so much about dumping syndrome, eating tiny tiny bites and getting full off eating a couple of ounces. I am like WHAT?! But I will go through with the surgery. Wish me luck.

Thank you for posting and calming my nerves down. I will probably post a before pic soon. I will keep everyone posted. Thank you again.