krazygrl77

When i read this it was like you took the words right outta my mouth. (yeah i'm from the south! hahaha!) I think that is one of the reasons i keep going back and forth on whether i really want the band or do i need the band. Sometimes i feel like i'm going to cheat myself by getting it, but on the other hand i'm afraid i will love it so much and it will work so good that what if it breaks or fails and i have to get it done again and i can't. Such a battle of thoughts going on in my head lately. Best of luck to you!!!

I got her again. :party: So I guess there is not going to be any hope for me getting to have the surgery in Shreveport. So dissappoing.

I got her again. :biggrin: So I guess there is not going to be any hope for me getting to have the surgery in Shreveport. So dissappoing.

I think it all depends on what plan you have. I have UHC Choice Plus and it only covers 90% of the costs. You also have to use a facility that they chose. I found that out the hard way. The other requirments were you have to be 18 or older have a BMI of 40 or higher or you can also have a BMI of 35 - 40 but you have to have 2 other comorbid contidions have you use a docotor that's in the bariatric center of excellence Good Luck and keep us posted!

A lot of times its not the insurance it's the doctor that wants you to do the diet. I would call your insurance and make sure it isn't in your plan and that maybe the only way around it. Because my BMI is over 40... i don't have to do one for insurance purposes. It's worth a check. Good Luck!

It's sooo hard not calling the insurance company!!! But i don't want to pressure them. It just seems like an eternity waiting and it's only been 5 days! lol

Congrats!!! I'm currently awaiting insurance approval so keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

I have UHC also. Here is my story so far... I called and got the requirements for the surgery.. have to be over 18 BMI of 40 or more (or 35 with 2 co morbids) use a doc that is in the Bariatric Center of Excellence So i did all of these and found a wonderful doc. Had my appt 2-8, they sent in my paperwork 2-11 and I got a call from UHC on 2-13. I was thinking WOW this is too good to be true. Well it was... the doc i wanted to use was in the plan but his facility was not. Said the only hostpital i could use in Louisiana was Ocshners in New Orleans. That's 6 hours from me!!! They didn't tell me that when i called them TWICE to get the requirements. The funny/odd thing is the doc that I want to use has done MANY people from the place where i work with the same insurance and never had a problem. So the girl that does the insurance wanted the lady's name i talked to at UHC. So she calls her and she wouldn't HEAR of looking into another hopspital. She said I HAVE to use such and such... so she told her to drop my case. She resubmitted it using the hostpital they always use(because i did want to use the oupatient one) and now i'm still waiting. That was on 2-14. I want to call but don't want to pressure them again!!! lol Good luck to all of you all that had no problems!!! Take care!

I didn't go through my PCP. I called my insurace which is UHC and asked what my requirements were. I found a surgeon and made an appt. with him. With my BMI being 43 I don't have to do any diet or anything. People below 40 usually have to, but 40 and higher it is not required. I would call the insurance co and see if you have to. People with BMI's of 40 or more are usually cut a little slack.

Hi Michelle! I don't think I will regret getting my band... but you really do need to weigh the pros and cons before you do it. Yes I will be giving up alot of the things I love to eat but I NEED this tool to help me get a grip on the way I eat and live. The liquid diet and shoulder pain are temporary and I think they will be so worth it in the end. This site has soooo much information and support. I do worry about the vomiting because it can cause the band to slip. That is definately the first thing on my list for the next appointment. I think I read somewhere that the doc gives you a medication to take if you ever do get sick to stop the vomiting. Good Luck to you!

Hi Neighbor! I'm not yet approved for lap band surgery but just wanted to say hi! Finding this site has been one of the best things EVER! All of the info and support you get is just amazing. Who is going to do your band? I may have to come down to New Orleans to have mine, but i'm hoping i can get it done in Shreveport. Good luck on your pre-op diet.

Hi Neighbor! I'm not yet approved for lap band surgery but just wanted to say hi! Finding this site has been one of the best things EVER! All of the info and support you get is just amazing. Who is going to do your band? I may have to come down to New Orleans to have mine, but i'm hoping i can get it done in Shreveport. Good luck on your pre-op diet.

Just make sure the facility is an approved one. That is what I am going through right now with UHC. I found a doc that was in the Bariatric Center of Excellence, but the facility isn't. Instead I'm going to have to drive to New Orleans! I'm still grateful they cover it, just wish it was a little closer to me.

I knew better than to get my hopes up Well the insurance company called me today and the doctor that I have been seeing is not going to be able to do my surgery. Instead I have to go to New Orleans which is about 6 hours from here to have my surgery. The doctor is in my plan, but the hospital is not. I have to go to a baratric center of excellence facility. They didn't tell me that to begin with. I'm just so upset about the whole deal because I liked my doctor and felt confident about him. I worry about all of the pre-op testing now. I haven't done any of that yet and now i have to worry about how many times am I going to have to drive 6 hours one way. I just am all confused all over again...:tt2::tt2::frown:

Thank you all for your awsome support. I love this forum.

Oh yes I am very obessed with getting the lap band. I tend to be a bit pessimistic, but I feel it keep me in check. I know I can have the surgery through insurance, I just may have to travel a lot further than I expected. I am praying with my paperwork being resubmitted to insurance that it lands in better hands this time. Good luck to you!!!

I called and talked to Danielle at Dr. Merriman's office today. She said that Jill my case manager must have had her wires crossed because they have done soooo many lap-bands for people at ctel with the insurance i have. And they didn't have to go to New Orleans. They used Chupbert's in Shreveport. So i gave her Jill's info and she called her. Well about 30 min later Danielle called me back and was furious! She said that Jill didn't know WHAT she was talking about and would not even THINK of looking up Chupbert's hospital. So Danielle told her to DROP my case and she submitted it again. She just told me to PRAY i didn't get that same worker. *PRAYS!!!!!!!*

I called and talked to Danielle at Dr. Merriman's office today. She said that Jill my case manager must have had her wires crossed because they have done soooo many lap-bands for people at ctel with the insurance i have. And they didn't have to go to New Orleans. They used Chupbert's in Shreveport. So i gave her Jill's info and she called her. Well about 30 min later Danielle called me back and was furious! She said that Jill didn't know WHAT she was talking about and would not even THINK of looking up Chupbert's hospital. So Danielle told her to DROP my case and she submitted it again. She just told me to PRAY i didn't get that same worker. *PRAYS!!!!!!!*

Well the insurance company called me today and the doctor that I have been seeing is not going to be able to do my surgery. Instead I have to go to New Orleans which is about 6 hours from here to have my surgery. I'm just so upset about the whole deal because I liked my doctor and felt confident about him. I worry about the pre-op testing now and how far away it is. I just am all confused all over again...:thumbup:

Cothing questions: What did you wear the day of your surgery? What did you wear coming home? Did you have to dress differently for work for the next week? If so what kinds of things did you wear? What are some of the things you wish you would have had at the hostipal? I am going to have to stay a night so I'm hopeing they will give me a list of things i might need. Good luck everyone!!!

I'm from louisiana.. but i have United Health Care. I'm going to have to go to New Orleans for my surgery.

West Monroe here. I thought I was going through Dr. Merriman, but I have to go to New Orleans for my insurance to cover it.

Thank you for all of your awesome ideas!!!

Well the insurance company called me today and the doctor that I have been seeing is not going to be able to do my surgery. Instead I have to go to New Orleans which is about 6 hours from here to have my surgery. I'm just so upset about the whole deal because I liked my doctor and felt confident about him. I worry about the pre-op testing now and how far away it is. I just am all confused all over again...

Hi again! Before I started seeking information on getting the lap band, I started researching the benifits of eating more raw fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. Basically going "vegan". I was just wondering if you or anyone you know has been successfull at this? I think it would be hard because of the nuts and seeds, but they can be ground down to more of a "meal" consistancy. Any help would be much appreciated!!! :cursing: