creed2474

Yes, I called my doctor today and the lady told me limit it to 1 or 2 cups a day for the broth. Today has been kinda easy... i'm hungry... but, I just keep drinking water... I have only had one shake so far today. I will probably have another one 15 minutes or so. I have a headache I think from not drinking diet Coke. But, I'm about to make some strong tea and see if it goes away. It seems like it is easier today... we'll see tonight when I try and sleep. I think i'm going to have 2 shakes late tonight... and some broth...and alot of Water and see if that helps me sleep.

Yeah, I'm sooo hungry right now I can't even sleep. I'm going to call tomorrow about the broth. I'm sure it will get easier in a few days. I just keep thinking this is worth it.

Yeah, I plan on it!!! I just don't want to be working two jobs for the rest of my life!!!!

yeah I found out my premium is really high because I am part-time...but, it is worth it. I'm going with a doctors office who knows the insurance very well. It is a 3 hour drive but I feel very safe to know that they know what they are doing. I will have double coverage...but my primary insurance does not cover anything related to weight loss surgery. So, my secondary which is bcbsfed hopefully will cover everything.... what I wonder is will my primary cover those two 100 dollar co-pays? And, if I ever lose my fed plan... will the primary (who says doesn't cover anything) kick in and pay for follow-ups and fills, etc. related to the surgery.

gumbo- you never let us know what happened.... did you talk to them about it?

What is it like? tell me what they do?.... does it hurt? what do they give you to kill the pain? Do they knock you out? How long does it take?

Yeah, that is why i'm pressing to have mine done ASAP. Hopefully December!!!!

Can you pm me and tell me what clinic you work for? I just want to be able to compare doctors. Yes, she asked my height, weight....and I told her I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and I have a cpap machine.... she then said...we consider you as a "slam dunk" patient. lol

You are right on the money! Thank you for clearing it up! You put all the pieces of the puzzle together for me. Thanks I heard that if it is done out-patient.... you are also responsible for some of the cost of the band itself. If it is done inpatient you are not. I asked the lady today about that...and she said their clinic requires it to be inpatient so not to worry. She said I would get the approval in like 3 days once it is submitted. Does that sound right Kathy? I guess my clinic is going to do the psych and nutritionist as their requirement...which is not a big deal. She said I can do all that when I have my first appointment with the surgeon.

Me personally...from the 4 offices I have talked to. I don't think it is required..... I think the office is either a) more used to doing regular bcbs and gets it confused... the office is looking at it as .... what if the insurance comes back and says that it is required? Who pays for the procedure then? They are trying to cover their butts. The insurance doesn't give pre-auth like regular insurances..... that is why they are trying to cross all corners in case something is wrong and the insurance asks for more. I may be wrong... but, that is what I have gathered by calling several different offices and asking questions. I'm just that way... I do alot of research especially with something this major.... i read online and asked questions....compared...and called offices and asked questions..and compared. I want to see it in writing tho that it is not required. I have yet to find it..... I'll let u know what happens after I go to my first appointment Nov 14th. Where do you live?

Can you please point me to the direction where it says this online? I would like to have this in case this becomes an issue.

that is what I don't understand... where are they getting their information from? oh well...i'm sure everything will go well in a few weeks. I'll be seeing the doc prolly November 14th along with my psych eval and seeing a nutritionist. *crossing fingers*

ugh.. I get different stories with different dr offices. I had one tell me that although they don't require a "DR" supervised medical weight loss you have to show proof, (Jenny Craig, etc.) for at least six months. She said I could not turn in the medical records showing my history of me being over-weight and writing a statement on my weight loss attempts over the years. I again asked her are u sure... this is not regular blue cross..this is federal. she said she called blue cross and even looked in the book...and it says it is required. Then, I call another office... no diet history is required with federal insurance..... she said they will schedule an appointment... on that day I have my psych eval and meet with nutritionist. She said they request the medical records and see how long I have been over-weight. She said they get the paperwork together..and submit it to the insurance and it usually takes about 3 days to get an approval. I asked her...so, I don't have to do a diet for 6 months? she said no it is not required for federal blue cross blue shield insurance. she said realistically december is so busy for them that the surgery would probably be sometime in january if all went well. she basically said i'm a 'slam dunk' patient with my bmi and my sleep apnea. I hate getting different stories from different offices... the last one is the only one out of 3 offices that said it is not required. I think they are getting mixed up with regular blue cross and federal blue cross or something?

Which doctor did you use? What clinic? Did your primary do all the paperwork for you?

Man, i'm so excited! You just paid a 100 dollar co-pay for the doc and 100 dollar for the hospital? longhorn mom.. which doc and clinic did you go through? Did you have any problems with them and how did you like them? I just hope I don't run into a road block. I have been a federal employee in the past for a year starting nov 07..... paid blue cross blue shield out of my check every two weeks but i never even used the insurance. I left the job for health reasons. A year later I am about to start back.... I just hope me just working part-time doesn't get in the way of what it covers. I wouldn't think that it would? As soon as the insurance kicks in i'm going to the doctor..... do you think me working part-time on and off... will get in the way? Or, with me just starting the coverage in Nov and going to the doc to have the surgery in Nov?

I don't have any copies of my doctors visits..... i'm sure medical records will show my weight over the years? I hope it goes as easy as most people...... I do have sleep apnea and it is diagnosed and I have been on a CPAP machine for almost 5 years now. And, my BMI is over 40..... so, you would think I would have no problems.

are you a federal employee?

I'm curious what insurance do you have? From the first doctor appointment.... how long did it take you to have the surgery? Which office was your doctor with? I have heard of ABIL and Southwest Bariatrics. Did you have to do a diet plan? How long was that?

coltonwade has helped me alot... i'm also looking into the surgery as soon as my insurance coverage kicks in. I also live in Austin, Texas.... I'm headed to my first seminar next week....

I'm curious about a few things.... The pre-op diet is two weeks? How about the diet afterwards? How long is that.... and how long is it about until you actually eat solid foods? (Steak, chicken, etc) What do you eat during pre-op? How long does the pain last from the surgery? I had my gall bladder removed... is it similar to that pain? What does a psych evaluation consist of? Is it just a bunch of questions they ask? What kind? How long is the evaluation usually last? Did you vomit any? Do you feel like vomiting? I'm sure I will think of more questions....... just help me out. I'm just curious is all. :grouphug:

Yeah, even if the other insurance doesn't cover the fills, etc. I think I can handle the out-of-pocket. Exactly tho on the part-time.... I did the part-time job for a year ... and left about a year ago..... I had to leave because I started feeling really fatigued and depressed. It was too much for my plate at the time.... I started having diabete type symptons...but, nothing was wrong. She just said I need to lose the 2nd job due to fatigue. I really didn't need the 2nd job anyway... I was just doing it for extra money to blow. lol I think with me getting the surgery... I will probably be able to handle it due to the increased energy. I'm in the perfect city for excercise.... Austin, Texas.... there are alot of highly motivated people here.... so, i'm sure it will rub off on me. I just need that extra little push (lap band) that will help me. I'm very excited..but at the same time I am scared. I will have the best insurance you can have.... so, I have a feeling it is going to be very quick and not alot of time to think about it. Which is probably better.... lol I have learned alot from this forum..... I appreciate everyone's responses.

QUESTIONS... QUESTIONS...QUESTIONS.... Ok, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield through my full-time employer .....they do not cover the weight loss surgery at all. I'm going back to my part-time federal employer who has Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield. They will cover the surgery and I plan on having it ASAP. Once I have the surgery...and I get tired of working my part-time job a year later and decide to leave. Would my Blue Cross Blue Shield from my other insurance cover the fills, etc.?

Well, I start my job back Nov 3rd and my insurance coverage starts Nov 9th. I'm going with Federal BCBS..... my friend had it two years ago..... went to a great surgeon in Dallas.... told him he wanted to do the surgery..two weeks later. WOW But, he rescheduled to do it a month later. He and his wife did the gastric by pass at around the same time. He only paid for himself 200 dollars for co-pays and that was it. So, I'm looking to have the surgery ASAP. Bring it on!!!! Even if it means not having turkey this Thanksgiving! LOL

lol i'm sorry. I read what you said wrong.

My part-time insurance will cover the surgery. i was talking about if I ever left.... would my state insurance cover the fills, etc. later on down the road. Out of pocket is not too expensive I found out.....for fills, etc.