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My surgery was on a Thursday, out of hospital Friday morning and back to work on Tuesday, could have gone back on Monday if I wanted. Very little pain except I was forced to sleep on my back for about five days or so. That was hardest part.

Rock, I had my surgery last October and fortunately it was covered by insurance. Before I was approved I asked for an out of pocket price and I believe it was about $12,500. I don't know about payment plans. Just call and ask over the phone, they are very nice. Good luck....

It's been a long eight months since I started this journey but I finally had my surgery two days ago. The gas pains didn't really start until yesterday, probably because of the pain killers, but thay are here now. How long has it taken for these to end? Any input would be appreciated.

Congradulations KellyPup, my date is the 24th also. It's been a long eight months waiting for this day and I can't wait to begin the journey.

My surgery date is Oct 24th and I can't wait. Anxious for my new life to begin.

My date is the 24th. It's been eight months since I started this journey and even though I thought it would never end, it went pretty quick. These last two weeks are a killer. I can't wait.....

Call the 1-800 number on the back of your Insurance card and ask if Procedure code 43770 (lapband) is a covered procedure. If so, tell them to mail you a copy of the policy pertaining to the requirements for it and you will then have a hard copy for future reference. That's the best way...

I had my final weigh in yesterday and it went well. Now I'm waiting for Insurance approval. I'm sure this time will drag even longer than the six months diet but I know I'm closer.

Good luck AngieAngel. I'm having my final weigh in for the six month diet there on Thursday, Sept, 4th. I'm anxious to get it over with and move to the next stage.

It all depends on your insurance. Call the 1-800 number on the back of your insurance card and ask if procedure 43770 is covered and then ask them to mail you a copy of requirements for coverage. It will spell it all out there. If your insurance requires the six month diet, there's no way around it other than to pay out of pocket.

I'm not telling anyone at work. Period. A co-worker had the Gastric Bypass procedure and the guys at work were somewhat supportive to his face. They refer to him as "Gutless" behind his back. That made my decision for me.

I'm having Dr. Davidson also. I'm four months into my six month diet and it can't be over soon enough. I'm anxious to go through with it.

I called the insurance office and had them send me the requiremets also. I'm three months into the six month diet and have already had the Phsyc Eval. I'm hoping the co-morbidities will be satisfactory for Highmark because the policy only gives examples and mine aren't on the list of examples. Three more month's and I should find out.

Hello. I'm in PA and have Highmark PPO Blue Insurance. My BMI is 37.2 which puts me in the less than 40 but greater than 35 class. I have Arthritis in both knees and lower back. I wear a brace on one knee. I also have Acid Reflux and high Cholesterol. I am two month's into my six month supervised diet and my surgeon told me I am borderline at best for approval. The insurance girl in the office told me if I meet the requirements I should be in very good shape for approval. I hope she is right. Has anyone else out the used Highmark Blue PPO and what were your results?

My insurance won't pay for the Psych Evaluation and I'm trying to find out what a reasonable cost is. The clinic I'm using recommended a Psycologist and after I made the appointment found out it wasn't a covered expense. The cost is $1,200.00 from her. I don't know if they inflate the price when Insurance pays for it or if they are all this high. Does anyone know if there are different levels of evaluation for different prices. I certainly don't think I need the full blown, on the couch treatment.

I finally had my Psyc Eval this week. I told them it was out of pocket and the cost was $125.00. What a big difference from the original place that wanted $1,200.00 for the same. I'd recommend people to call around and ask for prices. It actually went rather well. Lasted about 45 minutes and she just echoed what the doctor told me. What was involved and what to expect and was I ready for the life change. Not bad at all and a lot less expensive that originally priced. Thanks to all.

Call the "800" number on the back of your insurance card and ask if code 43770 (it is universal for all insurances) is covered. If it is, ask them to send you the requirements for approval. This is what you should address in your letter.

I have told only my wife. The guys I work with can be brutal. Another co-worker had gastric bypass surgery last year and they refer to his as "Gutless". I don't want to go down that road. I've tried dieting so many different times and they seem to get great joy out my failing. My plan is to get the surgery done on a Thursday and return to work the following Monday. I won't tell anyone.

I only told my wife and wouldn't have told her if I could have gotten away with it. I love her dearly but she feels she needs to share with a few of her friends. She said she wouldn't tell anyone but I can tell from a couple comments from her best friend that she told her. Guys can be brutal. At work a co-worker had gastric bypass surgery and now everyone refers to him as "Gutless". I don't want to gown this road, that's why I don't want anybody to know.

I am two month's into my six month diet also. My initial BMI was 36.2 but I have two co-morbidities I am banking on for approval. I know I can lose enough weight to get under the 35 limit but it will come back as always. I asked about this at the Clinic I'm using and they told me to be careful not to lose too much. So I haven't changed a thing and I'm just basically putting my time in to show I did the six month's. I have heard also that they use the inital weigh in weight but I'm not taking any chances. Good luck

Thanks, I checked my paperwork from the Doctor and it said that it couldn't be done by a social worker.

Is the code, 43770, listed at the beginning of this thread still the valid code today? Also, is that a universal code number used by all insurance companies or just some? The reason I ask is because the clinic I'm attended collected my insurance info and told me it would be a covered procedure once I completed my 6 month medically supervised diet. I also have to get the Psych Eval and when I called my insurance company to see if this would be covered, they asked me what surgery I was getting. I told them it was medically necessary weight loss surgery. They told me weight loss surgery was not a covered procedure. I'm just wondering if the clinic refers to it as something else that would be covered. I have my second month weigh in next week and will ask them then. I surely don't want to go through the six month thing if it's not covered. Do you think I should call the Insurance Company with this code or just wait until I see the clinic next week? The suspense is killing me. Thanks, any input would help.

I'm going there. Had my initial meeting with Insurance person, followed by meeting with Dr Wieger. I have started my six month supervised diet through them and met with the Nutritionist this week. So far so good. Meet with the surgeon in two weeks.

I read in a post a while back that this person had a "Low Profile Port". I assume from the name it is smaller and thus would probably be less visible when you get to your goal weight. Has anyone ever heard of this or have any more info?

What exactly is a sleeve and what site gives info about it? I am in the process of my six month Medically supervised diet with the intentions of getting the band. I'd like to investigte the sleeve more. Thanks