NewtummyforME

Ok, So I go to get banded on Wednesday the 27th, yes in just a few days. I have told my surgeons office that I wanted them to put in a Realize Band. After extensive research in forums/blogs and chat rooms I feel like I made a mistake and need to revert back to LapBand AP bands. I have heard so many different things about the Realize band and it's literally all I can think about. I don't want to have the wrong band, I don't want my port to show, I want one that is tried and true and has been proven to work, but I also want new and to have a slim port...I really need advice because my days are dwindeling...PLEASE HELP!!

Ok, So I go to get banded on Wednesday the 27th, yes in just a few days. I have told my surgeons office that I wanted them to put in a Realize Band. After extensive research in forums/blogs and chat rooms I feel like I made a mistake and need to revert back to LapBand AP bands. I have heard so many different things about the Realize band and it's literally all I can think about. I don't want to have the wrong band, I don't want my port to show, I want one that is tried and true and has been proven to work, but I also want new and to have a slim port...I really need advice because my days are dwindeling...PLEASE HELP!!

After waiting patiently on what I thought was going to be an approval, I got denied. I am insured thru Aetna Student Health and apparently I have an exclusion on my plan for bariatrics. Had I known this before, I wouldn't have put myself through all the doc appt.., psych eval, nutritionist appt., and all the other hoops I had to jump thru. I am sickened by the answer of my insurance company. On the website with my benefit package on it, the exclusions do no specify that I would not be covered. My insurance agent at my school (Northern Arizona University) had told me a few times that this WAS NOT an exclusion. I am once again at a stand still. What do I do? Is it worth it for me to appeal this? I cannot afford self-pay and unless I find someone who would like to pay for this life changing surgery for me, I feel as though I am outta options... ~Julie

Hey there!! I am actually getting banded the same day (May 27) by Dr. Juarez too! What a small world! Just wanted to say good luck on your journey! Julie:thumbup:

I have not yet been approved for LB. It took me a whole year to get all the paperwork and doctors appointments finished that my insurance required. After finishing all of my requirements I felt GREAT when I dropped off my paperwork to my surgeons office so they could submit everything to my insurance. Well, they submitted everything on March 6. My insurance company said they had up to 30 days to approve/deny....when the 30 days was close to lapsing, I called my authorization gal at the office and she said she hadn't heard back from my insurance company and suggested that I call them to see what the status was on my claim. When I called, the company said they had NO record of anything that had been sent over nor did they even know that I had been trying to get approved for anything. I was furious....that doesn't even start to explain how I felt. Why was I so patient waiting those 30 days when I have seen on here that people get approvals within a week or so? I contacted my gal at the office and told her the situation, she was upset because she had gotten a confirmation that 46 pages was received and thought we were on the right track. She told me to breathe and that she would be in contact with someone from my insurance company to get the ball rolling extra fast. She has resubmitted everything and is in contact with a supervisor at my insurance company who hopefully will expedite my claim. So, here I am waiting again...lets hope it doesn't take 30 days...

I have not yet been approved for LB. It took me a whole year to get all the paperwork and doctors appointments finished that my insurance required. After finishing all of my requirements I felt GREAT when I dropped off my paperwork to my surgeons office so they could submit everything to my insurance. Well, they submitted everything on March 6. My insurance company said they had up to 30 days to approve/deny....when the 30 days was close to lapsing, I called my authorization gal at the office and she said she hadn't heard back from my insurance company and suggested that I call them to see what the status was on my claim. When I called, the company said they had NO record of anything that had been sent over nor did they even know that I had been trying to get approved for anything. I was furious....that doesn't even start to explain how I felt. Why was I so patient waiting those 30 days when I have seen on here that people get approvals within a week or so? I contacted my gal at the office and told her the situation, she was upset because she had gotten a confirmation that 46 pages was received and thought we were on the right track. She told me to breathe and that she would be in contact with someone from my insurance company to get the ball rolling extra fast. She has resubmitted everything and is in contact with a supervisor at my insurance company who hopefully will expedite my claim. So, here I am waiting again...lets hope it doesn't take 30 days...

Hi everyone! My name is Julie, I am 24 years old and have been discussing some sort of weight-loss surgery with my family for the past six years. My parents were very discouraging when I was younger but when I brought it up almost a year ago, they were behind me 150%...now if only I didn't have to go through insurance...ugh. Anyway, I am a senior in college and am transferring over to my schools insurance program. Aetna Student Health is what it is called. I have tried getting ahold of them to find out the criteria for the surgery but the girl I talked to seemed misinformed and did not know how to help me. I have done a lot of research but am still without the information I need. After reading many of posts I have learned a lot about what is needed. I also have been seeing my doctor for almost 9 months consecutively for weigh-ins to keep myself up on what I think is needed to be done. I have history of my weight from the past 4-5 years and ever since I was born I have been overweight. I have a BMI of 48 and I am 5ft tall, I'll let you use your imagination. Basically, I am looking for support. I do not really have anyone to talk to about this, at least to anyone who understands what I am going through. If my insurance goes the way I plan, I would like to have the surgery by my birthday, November 5th. Words of encouragement are always welcome... Cheers! Julie