Jodi73

Ya know, that would be great, I am stuck at work until 6:00 where I cant make long distance calls. I am assuming they close at around 5:00, then its the weekend. Do they have weekend hours in the ofice by chance, if so I could call tomorrow, if not I would really appreciate you doing that, thanks again! Jodi

I was a little confused, your work policy requires 12 what in two years? Doc visits or weight checks or something? Yep, need all the good vibes I can on Wed. I gues I am more nervous about the money than anything, I wish I knew ins would approve me, before I forked out the $$ upfront. It is very tight financialy for us right now, and if I waste $750 for nothing, well...you can imagine. There is just no way I could do this out of pocket. Where was your support group meeting? I'd like to come to one soon...talk soon! Jodi

Dumb question.....that is Baptist in Knoxville? I called the number and it said I needed an area code.

Thanks for the info, I really did not get weighed period in 2008, guess its a by product of my embarrassment over letting myself get to this point! I will try and figure something out between now and then I guess. About the program fees, they are for pre-op appointments, nutrition counciling, maybe some Vitamins, basically a money maker for them I think. I checked with Parkwest, they said their fees are around $3000, so I figured I was getting off way easy at $750. Do you have any of these fees? Maybe I should check with your doc. Both Foothills and Parkwest said that all of those "fees" were not covered by insurance, ...ever. Hmmm, maybe I should check on that. We are not required by our insurance to pick a PCP or have a letter of recommendation or or referral from one, so I just never have gone to any one doc for a long period. Thanks for all your help, in retrospect, I guess I should have! Talk soon, Jodi

What did you think of Dr. Ray? Just curious, I haven't been to my intial consult yet, going on 3/11. I am very anxious about the whole insurance thing. We have Aetna, I have read good and bad things on here about them, mostly good though, so I have a good feeling about getting approved. Also, what made you choose FWLC as opposed to Parkwest or Baptist? Yes, I am nosey I just want to get as much info as possible about all the options available! Have you attended any support groups yet? I am actually in Knoxville, so one near me would be good. Anyway....thanks for the reply, I would love to chat as we go thru this process! Good Luck! Jodi

:tt2:WOW, three kids, I have one girl, age 8, she is enough for us! Aetna's requirements are a BMI over 40, no co-morbitities, or 35+ with. I am unfortunately at around 44. So I just need a phych eval, supervised weight loss for 3 or 6 months, not sure what determines that, and a 2 year history of obesity. That is where I am struggling, as with a lot of overweight people, I rarely go to the doc., frankly, I am very healthy except the weight. I think I have 2007 covered, but not 08. Got any suggestions? Maybe I have 06 too. Looks like you can start spring off right with the surgery! Thats a lot of $$ out of pocket!! I am hoping for less than three. Maybe I am way off base! There is the 750.00 program fee, then our ins has a 2000 max out of pocket. Are there other costs I need to know about!? My hubby will croak! Jodi

Wow! You only have a month to wait!! I am not approved yet, still gathering records and stuff, we have Aetna. My first visit with the doc is 3/10. I am curious, how did you choose your doc? Mine was $$ pretty much. They seem to want the least upfront fees, times are tight around our house! 26 days and counting for you!! Jodi

Well I do not have any answers for you.....but congrats!!! I live in Knoxville as well, I am just starting this process with Foothills Weight Loss Clinic in Maryville. I really only knoew of two places that did it, there, and Parkwest. Who is Dr. Shaw? I would love to chat with you along the way! Good luck, post of your progress! Jodi

I have Aetna as well, and am wondering the same thing!! I did see in another post, that it was the discretion of your doc...wonder if thats true? I sure would love only 3 months!

Just wondering if anyone was nearby? I have only just started this process, and have my initial consultation on 3/10. I attended a seminar a few weeks ago, and was told there was an upfront fee of around $750, to cover nutrition, tests, etc. This clininc was with Foothills Weight Loss Ctr. Drs. Ray and Colquitt. They also said this fee was not covered by insurance. Is this normal? We have an EAP(Employee Asst. Prg.) that covers any type of councelling up to 5 visits for free. I wonder if that would be sufficent for ins pourposes? Guess I am just curious what experiences some of you may have had. I would love to have someone close to chat and compare notes with! Thank you! Jodi

I am just starting this journey, and was initialy just considering the lap band. Now, after reading LOTS of posts on here and other boards, I am concerned about the lap band, and the SLOW and difficult road it is to loose weight with it. If I wanted it to be that slow and hard, I woudl try once agian to do this on my own. MAybe I am afraid that I will go to this drastic measure, and even it wont work. It seems Gastric Bypass has a more dramatic, easier result, although it is a much more invasive procedure and not reversable like the band. I guess my question is: Who is on the fence? If you decided one way or the other, why, and are you happy with it? I am really strugling right now, and I want to make the right decision for myself, and my future. Thank you, Jodi

AIT>>> I have Aetna too...I am just starting this process, and am scheduled to go to a seminar on 2/19. I researched Aetna's website, and it looks like they only "technicaly" allow Gastric Bypas, with all the stipulations met of course. Can you tell me what type of plan you have? Yes, I'm nosey! :thumbdown: I am paranoid that I will get my hopes up, then get shot down by insurance. We really can't afford to do this out of pocket. I can't wait to start this process, I only hope my insurance allows me to finish it! By the way, I agree with several others in this thread, go above this pidly office worker you are dealing with, I am sure the higher ups want your business more than she does!

Everything all the others said... Plus...being able to cross my legs like a lady should Riding bikes with my daughter Hiking with my husband NOT BEING TIRED!!