Shellyin KY

I am totally in!!! I have not really gained anything during the holidays, but things are certainly going down much easier. I'm starting today with the 5 day pouch test. My surgery was 11/4/2008 and I have had one fill 12/5/2008, 2cc in a 10 cc band. I am scheduled for my next visit 1/16/2009. Good luck to all.

Congrats!!!on your approval. I'm in KY too. I don't think I'm too far from you. I live in Cave City, KY (near Mammoth Cave area). What doctor are you seeing? How long has the process been thus far? I have just had my first consult. Now, I wait for the insurance approval. I too hope to have my surgery mid-late October, 2008. Was the insurance tough to work with? Who do you have Insurance with? Best wishes,

This is all so new to me as I begin my journey. I understand what a letter of medical necessity is and why I(or my insurance) would need one. But my question is what should the letter contain and who should write it? Thanks in advance New Me Desired

This is all so new to me as I begin my journey. I understand what a letter of medical necessity is and why I(or my insurance) would need one. But my question is what should the letter contain and who should write it? Or do these surface once the battery of tests are complete by the doctors that I see??? Thanks in advance Shellyin KY :confused2: <!-- / message -->

Actually, I did not even consider Lexington. I am about 150 miles from Lexington and only 90-ish from Louisville. I live in the Mammoth Cave area of KY near Glasgow. When I decided to go to Louisville I did alot of homework on the doctors. I have decided to go with the Olsofka Group (Olsofka, Lusco, and Schuster). This forum has provided alot of valuable information. Most that I have seen post like this group of doctors and were satified. I have my consultation on the 29th of August. All that my insurance requires is a letter of medical necessity from the surgeon for approval. Then once approved, they do require a psych evaluation. Where are you at in the process? Who are you seeing? Shelly:thumbup:

What surgeon will you be seeing? Where? I'm from Cave City, KY (Mammoth Cave area) I will be traveling to Louisville. I had my seminar last Tuesday(July 22nd) at St Mary's with Dr. Lusco.

Hey Amanda, I attended a seminar just last night (July 22nd). Dr Lusco was the speaker. I, along with my husband, was very impressed. After leaving I am even more determined to see this through. Lana has already been very helpful and seems genuine. Do you care to share any information about self pay or insurance? any complications with either? How long did the process take from start to surgery? I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and it is covered. Dr. Lusco's group and St Mary's Hospital are in my network. Yeah!!!! Do not require supervised diet or specific amount of weightloss prior to surgery. Looks as though things are going good for you. What the hardest thing(s) that you have encountered during the LAP BAND journey? Looking forward to hearing more from you... Shelly:biggrin2:

I, too, am found in KY. I will be seeing Dr. Lusco out of Louisville. I have my seminar on July 22nd at St. Mary's. This is all so new. Can anyone help with what to expect from the beginning??? I have talked with insurance company, BCBS PPO (federal), It is covered. . My policy does not require any period of time on a supervised weight loss program. Also does not require me to lose a specific amount of weight before consideration. Best I can calculate, It should cost $2,000 or less. I have buffered at least $1,000. I absolutely love this site. Anyone need a band-buddy???? Any and all insight is appreciated.:biggrin2:

I am so new to all this. I forgot to post my ? Since I have collected all of my medical history. The next thing will be a letter of medical necessity. I understand what it is. But what should the letter contain? Who can write this letter? I have me seminar on July 22nd in Louisville KY at St Mary's. Anyone need a buddy???? New Me Desired:blush:

I, too, am just beginning this journey. I am 34, married to the most wonderful man for 10 years and have two beatiful sons 7 and 4. I have been overweight since I can remember. DH has never even mentioned my weight. I literally fear for my life if I don't get the weight off. I have tried so many different things. I reason I fear- My father, now 57, had his first heart attack and open heart surgery at the ripe age of 40. I can remember as if it were yesterday. I was a freshman at Western Kentucky University (18 yrs old). Since then he has had numerous stints. My grandmother (his mother) died in her sixties with heart disease. If I were to follow close to 40, my children would be so young. I do not want these years taken away. Currently, BMI is 41.2. I have also went on meds for High BP last December. I think that I have made the right decision. I have prayed about it. I was about to settle for a doctor that was closer, however, as it would be He was not PPO and I could not find out much about him or his firm. I hear so many good things about Dr. Lusco out of Louisville, KY. I am fired up and ready to get started. The best part of the whole thing thus far is that my husband is behind me. Yeah!!!! I believe that God's gives each of us special talents. I am truly thankful that God has blessed these doctors and their staff with such talents and are able to help us. Blessings to all,

I have Blue Cross Blue Sheild PPO (federal employee). I called last week and my policy does not require any period of time under supervised weight loss. It also does not require a specific amount of weight to be lost before approval. It is also covered under my policy. Just in rough calculations I figure I'll be out $2,000 or less. Much less if copays only apply. I am going to my seminar at St. Mary's in Louisville KY on July 22nd. I'll be seeing Dr. Lusco, with Lap Band of Louisville. I, too, am just beginning this journey. I am 34, married to the most wonderful man for 10 years and have two beatiful sons 7 and 4. I have been overweight since I can remember. DH has never even mentioned my weight. I literally fear for my life if I don't get the weight off. I have tried so many different things. I reason I fear- My father, now 57, had his first heart attack and open heart surgery at the ripe age of 40. I can remember as if it were yesterday. I was a freshman at Western Kentucky University (18 yrs old). Since then he has had numerous stints. My grandmother (his mother) died in her sixties with heart disease. If I were to follow close to 40, my children would be so young. I do not want these years taken away. Currently, BMI is 41.2. I have also went on meds for High BP last December. I think that I have made the right decision. I have prayed about it. I was about to settle for a doctor that was closer, however, as it would be He was not PPO and I could not find out much about him or his firm. I hear so many good things about Dr. Lusco. I am fired up and ready to get started. The best part of the whole thing thus far is that my husband is behind me. Yeah!!!! I believe that God's gives each of usspecial talents. I am truly thankful that God has blessed these doctors with such talents and are able to help us.