Riane226

Hi everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read this. I have a stupid question. I just started the whole process of trying to get a LAP-BAND, and Im not quite sure the order that things need to be done in. I know my insurance covers the proceedure, and I know that my insurance covers the surgeon that i have chosen. Bascially all i have done so far is go to my PCP and tell her that I want the proceedure done, and she told me that she believes I am a great canidate. I know that I need to meet with my surgeon, and I know that the surgeon requires a psych consult, but after that Im not sure what needs to be done. Im also not sure when the letter gets submitted to my insurance company for approval. My insurance in BCBS of NJ. From reading other peoples posts, Im guessing that i meet with the surgeon, get the psych consult, and the surgeon submits the letter for approval? I also need to know if my surgeon or the PCP is the one to submit the letter. Please someone let me know how this whole process works. I feel like I have learned so much from doing research and this site, but this is one question that really hasn't been answered. 1 more thing... when I called my insurance and asked them what was required for the surgery, all they told me was a letter of medical necessity. Im going to call back as soon as this is posted! :laugh: Thanks for your help in advance! PS- Sorry for the typos!

Thanks TQUAD64, PATCHELTON, laurenica23, and slim-n-tn for your help! I found out today that my Surgeon requires a meeting with them and a support group meeting, physical exam, blood work, EKG, chest xray, and psych eval.. They also recommend getting the weight loss history together for insurance purposes. After all that is completed they submit the paper work to the insurance. Once its been aproved you get a surgery date! Im hoping my almost 2 years on Phentermine (the he!! pill!!) will be counted at a 6 month supervised diet. I guess my next step is meeting with my surgeon... im assuming i just need a refferal from my PCP? :Yawn: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :thumbup:

I have one more question... Can anyone tell me what they are looking for in the 6mo supervised diet? I have been on Phentermine for the last 19 months (no longer taking it now), and I had to go to the Drs once a month to have my BP and pulse checked and could only get the script if I physcially went to the doc. Think that may count? Thanks for your time again. Sorry to be a bother.

Can you just tell me what SWL is? Sorry. Thanks!

good luck! ill be praying!!:party:

I haven't been banded yet, but I wanted to say that from dieting in the past i can relate 100%. And it feels horrible to think that youve come so far, and still dont feel any better. Thus is why i gained all the weight i lost back + some. But i was told once that it takes much longer for your head to catch up with the "new" you. Meaning, that even though you can step on the scale and physically see you have lost weight, your mental picture of yourself still hasnt caught up. Hopefully in time it will. I never got far enough to say if it does or not. But congrats to eveyone who has lost the weight! :frown: I hope to be there one day too! Youre all a great inspiration to me.

Good Luck. You should be already banded, hope it went well! I wish you an easy and speedy recovery!!

I just found out that my insurance does work with Dr Balsama. Do you know the Hosp that he uses? The Insurance comp told me Stratford, and Cherry Hill (Lourdes). Thanks so much!!

Hi!! Im so glad I found this thread! I am also from SJ. Pittsgrove (my property is on both Salem and Cumberland Counties!) I have not been banded yet, however I hope that the posibility is in the near future. I have been researching Drs that my insurance covers, and I am considering Dr. Gus Slotman from Cherry Hill NJ. He is part of the Lourdes Medical Associates. I was wondering if anyone else has heard of him? (:rolleyes2: or ) I actually Googled him to see what I could find, and I found nothing but positive reviews. I have BC/BS NJ Health Insurance, and I was wondering if anyone else had that and could tell me how difficult it was to get approved. I called them, and they told me it was covered, but I needed a letter of Medical Necessity from my Doc. So if anyone has any suggestions for me, that would be BEAUTIFUL, as i kinda feel overwhelmed. Choosing to get surgery is kinda a big deal.

Hello Everyone!! :teeth_smile: My name is Riane, and I am 23 years old. I am from southern NJ. I currently weigh 226lbs and am 5'3". Which makes my BMI 40.0 (morbid obesity). I have been battling my weight as long as i can remember. I have done, Atkins, Weight Watchers, Michael Thurman's Extreme Body Makeover, Grapefruit Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, you name it.. as well as I have been perscribed Phentermine (a diet pill, that made me grind my teeth constantly and have a VERY rapid HR. 116 resting). I lost weight on Phentermine but felt the side effects were too risky. When i went off of the Phentermine I gained the weight back. I was told 2 years ago i was a good canidate for Gastric Bypass. When I looked up the proceedure i felt it was too risky. I have since then met someone who had Lap Band done. She looks fantastic, and feels even better. She said she would recommend it to anyone. I think this may be key for me. I am only interested in losing like 91-106lbs. Do you think this could be the key for me? Oh yeah- I called my insurance company, they cover it. If I get it, it would be in Cherry Hill NJ-Dr. Gus J. Slotman. I look forward to your response! Thanks for taking the time to read my shortened life story!

hyegirl, can you explain to me what the gi testing is? And can you tell me if the abdominal ultrasound is looking for a fatty liver or what? Just wondering, I have been researching but nothings like talking to someone who has been though it! :teeth_smile:) Thanks for your time and your reply!

Thanks so much for your reply! It means a lot. How long is the process before the surgery? I know there are like psych consults and such... Like from the time your insurance accepts you? Is it a long wait because the surgeon is busy, or because there are many things that need to be done and addressed before hand? How is the liquid diet going for you? Is it as difficult as it sounds? I can only assume you feel hungry all the time.. Good luck and God bless on your journey! I hope to be there too one day (sooner than later)!! <3Riane