Erika1982

Florn, Just wondering if you are self pay or if insurance is covering your surgery. I was considering UW Madison, but I'm having issues with my insurance and may not be covered by it so I may be self pay. I thought that UW Madison would be less expensive that a regular hosp. but it seems that may not be the case just because it's a learning environment Erika S.

My husband has gone to his h.r. dept. and asked them to check to see if they can remove exclusion and they won't budge. It took them a week and a half to decide this. I'm a little irritated, not because they said no but by how long it took them to get the answer to us. They probably should have said right at the beginning "you have a fat chance in hell that we are going to change our minds but we'll string you along anyway" So I have the appeal ready to go, it's been ready for about 3 weeks, i've just been wait for them to come back with an answer. If the appeal doesn't work I think we will try to find somewhere in the country that can do it relatively inexpensive and just go ahead with it. this is so frustrating. Erika S.:thumbup:

Hi Everyone, I'm new here and I have alot of questions. But first let me tell you a bit about myself. 25 years old and married with no kids yet. I am graduating from culinary arts school in december. I went to the doctor today, because I hurt my back nearly 2 weeks ago and it still isn't 100% he said that I probably sprained it and STRONGLY suggests that I look into bariatric surgery. I told him that for about 5+ years that I've been thinking about it but I'm kind of scared of the risks and not sure how I'm going to afford it. I do have insurance; United Healthcare. I called them about 8 months ago or so to find out if my policy covers any type of bariatric surgery, they told me no. So I'm kind of confused because I hear that united is the most lienient of the insurance companies and that they do cover it. There would be a lot less hesitation on my part if I was 100% sure that they cover it because I know that my husband and I can't solely afford it My other question is if it comes down to me writting a letter to the insurance to appeal a denial, what should I write in it. I've never tried any medically assisted weight loss plans but I have tried atkins and Jenny craig . I've also tried counting calories and following the food guid pyramid with little success. My husband is supportive of me doing this as long as we can get over the financial hurdle. He has even told me that we can take out a loan to do it, but I don't want to do that to ourselves. We are planning on starting a family in the next year and I just want to be healthy and not worry about complications due to my weight. I have had 1 miscarriage and the doctor told me it may be a weight related issue and my mother had gestational diabetes when she was pregnant with my youngest brother and my grandfather passed away from diabetes complication so I think I have good reason to be concerned. Thanks for reading this and thanks for any info that you can give me Erika S.

I was wondering if anyone has heard of the bariatric group based out of monterrey mexico? They apparently have hospitals in the US for those who aren't comfortable going to mexico for their surgery. I'm not comfortable going to mexico. The main reason I'm asking about them is that they have an advertisement on this website and they advertise lap-band surgery for $5500. I was denied by my insurance once and my husband is trying to get his h.r department to change their exclusion on the insurance, but if they don't I still want to have it done but can't afford the 12000-15000 they are charging here in wisconsin. My husbnad is thinking this may be a little sketchy and I am too, but I requested some info from them so we'll see. Let me know what you think... Erika S.

Yes it is, but I'm just curious if they are reputable

my cousin had the surgery last year and it took her almost 18mths. I think part of it was that her insurance kept denying her. I have also just started the process. I was denied once because of direct exclusion on insurance and I'm trying to convince my husbands company to have exclusion lifted. I talked to them a week ago and haven't heard anything back. I have an appeal letter ready to go just in case. I'm hoping to have mine done by the end of the year, but I'm not sure that will happen just because of the insurance b.s. Depending on your insurance, they may have you do a pre-op diet too and that is generally a 6mth period. So, I don't want to tell you that it's unlikely to happen, but have other options ready, and 3-6 mths isn't too bad, just make sure you are really ready for this. It's a huge life change and many people aren't prepared for that. Good luck hope everything works out! Erika S.

Just basing my info off of what the doctor told the patient in the clip. I don't have the band yet, but from what it sounds like many people do drink at their own discression.

I don't know how this works since your bmi isn't very high, but I would appeal. Outline your current health conditions and conditions you are concerned about getting because of your weight. It doesn't hurt to appeal and from what I've read a lot of people who were previously denied got approved after 1st appeal. It's worth a try. Erika S.

Hi Margo, If you search "weight loss surgery appeal letter" in google it comes up with a few good samples. One thing I'm pretty sure you don't want to do is make it too personal. Simply explain why you are appealing, the issues that have come along with your weight and future issues that you think may affect you if you don't have this surgery. You basically want it to be a persuasive letter. If you can include some facts such as major hospitals and/or research groups that recommend this surgery, I think that would be good too. You should be able to find that info online too. I also have UHC and was denied because it's a direct exclusion on my husband's insurance policy. Currently he is "appealing" his company to see if they will have the exclusion removed. I haven't heard anything back and it's been a week since he talked to HR. I do have an appeal letter written and ready to go though, just in case. I have done some research on UHC and it seems that they will deny 1st request but once you appeal and everything is there in plain english, they usually will approve it. Good Luck I hope this helps. Keep the faith too, just because you get denied once or twice doesn't mean you will always be denied. Erika S.

there's a clip on youtube where a doctor tells a woman who has had the lapband put in and is getting a fill that she shouldn't have alcohol because once the alcohol breaks down in the body it turns to sugar. she also told her that she should wait until she is losing more consistantly to consider having a drink. here's the link. hope this helps!!! <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src=" " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Erika S.

Hi, I am not lap banded yet and am trying to familiarize myself with the things I will be able to eat afterwards. I do have some suggestions, but not sure if they are doable, so bear with me. What about an antipasto? I would use turkey pepperoni, it's much milder than regular pepperoni, grilled marinated vegetables such as asparagus, eggplant, and tomatoes. You could probably add a little hard cheese such as provolone, the harder the cheese the better, it's less fattening than soft cheeses. You don't necessarily need to use those specific veggies since they can be a little pricey but those are just examples. you could even use mushrooms, roasted peppers, etc. As for the marinade, just a low fat italian salad dressing or olive oil and salt and pepper. If you don't want meat and cheeses, you could just do a grilled veggie platter. Otherwise fresh fruit platters always go well. Strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, etc. Fruit has good Fiber and may curb some sweet cravings. Watermelon is a great fruit because it does contain Water and is a good way of keeping hydrated. I hope these help. If not, I can try to look somethings up for you. I'm a culinary arts major and have lots of resources. Good luck! Erika S.

I'm sorry for your loss. I had a miscarriage 4 years ago and my doctor thought I had passed all of the tissue but after 2 days of excruciating pain I went back in for an emergency D & C because there actually was tissue that wasn't showing up on the ultrasound and was basically toxic to my body. I would suggest having it done. you wont feel anything and in my case I feel extreme relief afterwards because I wasn't in pain anymore. I am really sorry, again. Erika

Hi Jorge, I have not had the surgery yet, still fighting the insurance company/ husband's companys decision to have a direct exclusion on the insurance policy. Anyways, I don't think you are a failure at all. It's going to be hard because you have eaten this way for most of your life and its what you are used to. Everyone is going to make a mistake with the band because it's new, just remember that we all learn from our mistakes. I don't know if this will work for you, but when you feel the need to binge, take a look in the mirror and look at how much you have loss; it's not a shabby amount at all!! Tell yourself that you are better than this food and maybe go for a short walk. You have to conquer this old addiction, it's always going to be lurking just around the corner. Remember though, you are in charge and food isn't going to rule your life. Get in to your doctor and don't be embarasses, you aren't the first to do this, and your doctor has probably seen similar things. Once you get your restriction tightened it may be easier for you, because you wont be able to binge. I hope things get better for you. Keep your head up and keep trying!!!:wub: Erika S.

OK. So I found out today that my insurance, United will NOT cover the surgery. I was told it was a direct exclusion. Therefore the surgeon I was referred to will not do the surgery because he won't do any surgerys for cash. So, with that said, do I appeal the insurance company? I'm fine with doing so, but I'm not sure that's what I should be doing. Thanks for any info you can give me. Erika:mad3:

Walmart has this little 2 cuo food processor I think it's by cuisinart but it maybe generice. I don't think it was more than 7 bucks

Hi all, I'm Erika and I live in West Allis and I'm seriously considering the lap band. I have been referred to Dr. Prewitt in Menominee Falls. I tried to make an appointment today, but the receptionist said she'd have to call me back and I haven't heard anything back. Does anyone know anything about Dr. Prewitt?