KaitlynsMommy48

I just had surgery on 2/13/08 and had one heck of time getting BCBS to even approve me for ANY time of bariatric surgery. They are very particular about the background and having every T crossed. They denied my surgery 3 times before finally approving it so don't get discouraged but don't back down. If you have the coverage and meet the criteria you should be able to use it. Thats my thought process. My BMI was 50.6, I know that is right on the line but they never made a comment about only approving gastric bypass. Good Luck and let us know how you make out!! Alison Banded 2-13-08 Between the liquid pre-op diet and now the post-op diet I've lost 21 pounds!!!

Ok, I did great on my pre-op diet, no cheating. What really sucked though was that the whole time I was on my pre-op diet my insurance still hadn't decided if they were going to approve my surgery. That made it just a little more difficult because I kept thinking "What if I'm doing this for nothing?" Well, the day before my scheduled surgery the insurance company called and said they were denying the surgery. I was so upset but my doctor told me to go home and have a nice dinner. Well, I made homemade cheeseburgers with 93/7 lean ground beef and had two of them. The next morning at 8am the insurance company called me at work to tell me the medical director overruled the decision and my surgery was now approved!!! Well, I called my doctors office to reschedule my surgery and they told me literally, "If you can get your ass to the hospital today at noon we will do it today!" I was so excited but then I remembered I had eated the night before. The doctor said it shouldn't be a problem and after my surgery he said everything was perfect and he could tell I really stuck to the pre-op diet, (which was all liquids). He was very happy and said the surgery was easy. So to those who may have cheated a little, I wouldn't be worried as long as it was only once or twice maybe. Good Luck to Everyone! Alison Banded 2-13-08

I think everyones right about you having to make a decision for yourself, just become very educated on both procedures and know all the risks and sacrifices involved. My personal reason for getting the lapband was because I saw my father get gastric bypass in 2001 and he did great....at the beginning. He is now 7 years post surgery and starting to gain the weight back. He did not have the support he needed for one and did not follow all the rules of bariatric surgery. However, he has stretched his stomach back out and can eat just like he did prior to surgery. To me that was my decision maker. I can't help but think that if he had the band he would still feel restriction and not being able to over eat the way he does now. I wanted an adjustable choice and something that will be there with me my whole life. Good luck to you!! Alison Banded 2-13-08

I had my surgery this past Wednesday, Feb 14th and I'm back at work today Monday, Feb 18th. I probably could have gone back to work Friday but I'm glad I took the days off. I feel fine, I'm a "little" sore...to be honest I have more pain with menstrual cramps than this surgery. The gas after surgery was the only really uncomfortable part. But that went away by Saturday and I'm good now. Now I just keep telling myself that I have to get through the next few weeks of food restrictions. I would be lying if I said it was easy. I feel fine so I want to eat. I just keep sipping my Water all day and drinking my Soups. I also have fallen in love with SF popsicles! They make me feel like I'm actually eating. Good Luck!! Alison Banded 2-13-08 (Happy Valentines Day to Me!)

You don't have to live in Illinois to have BCBSIL. My corporate offices are in Illinois which is why I have them but I actually live in Maryland.

I also have BCBS of IL and I have been denied twice so far. My BMI is over 50 so you would think it wouldn't be difficult. I have been going to the doctor faithfully once a month for the past 6 months and have been put on a restrictive diet and exercise program. Everything has been sent to BCBSIL and they have still denied me. They come back each time saying the doctors records aren't "specific" enough. I would like to say that my doctors office is AWESOME!!! They have faxed over mountains of ppwk to the insurance company and they are doing all the work for me. THe only thing I had to do was keep a 6 month food journal because BCBSIL required that. I am actually scheduled for surgery this Wednesday and am on the liquid diet right now. The review board told my docs office they should have an answer on Monday with the decision. I could possibly be doing this liquid diet for nothing but I sure hope not! I'll let you know what happens. My docs office said that this is the first time she has dealt with BCBSIL and it is the worst company she has had to work with. She said if I get denied a 3rd time we will involve lawyers which will not cost me anything because they work for my surgeons office and anyone in the program is able to use the lawyers. I hope we do not have to go that route but I will do whatever it takes. Good Luck! Alison Scheduled banding 2-13-08