starr

Has anyone experienced your doctor's office lying about pre-surgical requirements? I began the process by first calling my insurance provider and asking what was required for surgery. I was told only a letter from the doctor stating the surgery was necessary. I then scheduled an appointment with the doctor. During the call I gave the girl who handled insurance at the office my info from my card. I was then given a date to meet with her and the doctor. When I finally went to the doctor I was told that my insurance REQUIRED me to have 5-6 things done including sleep study, blood work, dietician visits for 6 months, etc. I was told the person I spoke to gave me incorrect information. I met with the doctor and he was very nice. After the visit I went home confused and frustrated. I call my insurance again and once again was told of no pre-surgical testing. I really didn't have a problem with having test done as long as it was for the better but I was told it would be 9-12 months before surgery. The doctors office called and scheduled my dietician appointments and blood work. After about three months I had never heard my results from blood work. My calls were not returned trying to schedule my sleep study etc. I GAVE UP! Yesterday I scheduled an appointment with another office that offered LabBand. This morning I met with Liz the insurance specialist at the office. She actually called the provider line and put them on speaker phone with me in the room. She asked "What pre-surgical testing was required?" Guess what - Other then a letter from the doctor - NOTHING WAS REQUIRED. No dietician appointment for 6 months, no sleep study, NOTHING. She looked at me and was confused because I had THOUSANDS of dollars of testing and visits that were not required. I was told my 8 months to surgery was more like 8 weeks now. I feel like I was totally lied to and taken advantage of. I know of another person at my company who was also having LapBand done was told by the same office that all these test were required by our insurance. Money making scheme? Insurance rip-off? Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this? I learned several things - call insurance, I even called the provider line. Call several times and talk to different people. Take the names of the people you have talked to. If you have the ability check with other doctors in you area and speak with their insurance specialist. They are more then willing to talk. It's YOUR money and YOUR insurance.

I think the biggest problem for me was the fact that they lied to me. I lost faith and no longer trusted them. If they would have just said something like "While your insurance doesn't require these test we think it is important for your health and safety." I guess I am just a little stressed out over all of this and having to start over with another doctor.

My name is Brian. I live in south central PA. I started the Lab Band process in May. Met with my surgeon Dr. Richard Gorman the second week in June. He is a really nice guy and very down to earth. Dr.Gorman did some work at Hershey Medical Center which is an amazing facility Started my first round of blood work last week and attended my first dietician appointment yesterday with my second scheduled July 30. I think I am excited and scared all at the same time. I realize it is a life long journey that will totally change me for the better. I hope to have surgery sometime in late December or early January if everything goes well. My wife also plans to have Lap Band surgery at the same time as myself. We are going through the process together and will support each other along the way. Plus we hold each other accountable for diet and exercise required by the dietician. FYI - Starr is the name of my new (and very bad) kitten.

Is there a general guide of do's and don'ts and can and can't haves after LapBand? Just from what I have read many people have problems with leafy items but then others don't. Chicken seems to be a problem also. Is the problem with food passing into the pouch getting backd up? I had my first meeting with my surgeon last week and am waiting for my first dietary appointment so I am kinda lost. Any help you can offer would be great.