tonyavessels

I am using medicaid for my insurance in illinois for lap band. Has anyone had to go thru the 6 month supervised diet before surgery? any information will be helpful..

has anyone used Dr. Hungness or Nagle out of Northwestern Memorial in Chicago? how was the hospital? the surgeon? any input would be greatly appreciated.

I want to know after surgery can you see the port sticking out? can anyone describle what it looks like?

Hi gals! I am new to this. I have been overweight now for about 10 years and it's slowly been progressing. I just have a very poor diet in general with a lot of calorie intake. I am a bad snacker and junk food, Mcdonald's, taco bell and so on... I have been contemplating the lap band. I have attended a seminar at alexian bros but unfortunately I don't have the insurance requirements. I am starting to have some health problems, gerd, high BP and I retain water like crazy. I have a very hard time sleeping. My BMI is around 40.9. I am 5'7 250lbs. I am going to check into some hospitals and surgeons tomorrow in the chicago area. The problem is I'm only on medicaid. My regular family doc said that I was a canidate for Lap band and she would approve me to get it, whatever I needed from her. I have tried weight watchers, the gym, at home dieting but I lose motivation after a few months. is there anyone out there with a similar situation?? Medicaid?? anyone know of doctors in chicago that take medicaid? thanks for any input...:thumbup:

Hi, I am going to the seminar at mercy hospital in chicago. I also have medicaid. I talked to the program manager there and she said that they accept medicaid as long as it is medically necessary. I got the approval from my medical doctor. here is the phone number for the program. 312-567-2260. the hospital is on 2525 s michigan ave. hope this helps

Does anyone know if it is safe to use the tanning bed after lap band surgery?

Insurance companies can be a pain in the butt sometimes. I wouldn't give up! I would be calling them once a day! But hiring an attorney may work but what is the $450? I mean really! compared to weight loss and happiness. I would definetly have the doc sign the document also before you send it to them. Self pay can get real expensive and you dont want to rack up bills and ruin your credit! Some hospitals have a huge discount program to help with self pay, or if you can't get any help from your insurance co I would also recommend getting help from the state. They should have some type of medical plan throught your dept of human services, I would sign up for that! Normally the state will pay for it as long as it is medically necessary all you need is documentation from your doc. :wink2: keep your head up! don't give up!

:confused:I'm a 29yo mom. I have been overweight for about 9 years now. I have been gaining weight like crazy the past 5 years. I have tried just about every over the counter diet pill. I have starved myself. I have exercised and been in many gyms. Nothing seems to work. I am sick of buying "fat clothes". I am disgusted when I look in the mirror. I am currently 239lbs. Today I decided to make a change. I called my Dr and made an appt to discuss the lap band. I have been on-line reading up on this all day and I am ready to get this done now! I am so sick of being overweight. I don't feel pretty. I have been noticing more and more health problems. My legs swell up real bad and I have to take lasik and then I am running to the bathroom all day. Somethings not right! I can't sleep, I have acid reflux real bad and heartburn, now I am getting migraines. When I climb stairs I am out of breath and its embarassing! My triglycerides are high. I have a family history of heart failure, high BP, high Cholestrol, breast cancer, diabetes and I know I am on my way to all of these diseases and I am scared!