sheshegirl72

Hello I'm new here. I'm going to my very 1st consult on 5/5 and I'm really excited to learn more about the lap band and am praying I qualify. My bmi is 41.2 or something like that. I have bcbs ppo and they said they cover the procedure if it's outpatient but not inpatient. Has anyone had the procedure done as outpatient? That clinic I'm going through is Barix Clinic (in MI). The lady there said they do outpt and inpt and it depends on insurances and obviously if you need to stay overnight. One thing bcbs said was that I would have to do a 6 mos structured diet. The dr's office said that they just had a meeting about bcbs and from what they were told it just changed and I just need to fill out a diet history form and their dr's can sign off on it. I am just wondering if anyone else has heard this? I called my insurance company about a week ago and they said I had to do the 6 mos strict diet first, but then this week I called to set up the consultation and thats when the lady told me it just changed. I have had problems with bcbs in the past telling me different things so I am hoping I dont have to do the 6 mos diet before hand. Anyways, just curious what all the whole process entails? The clinic said from date of consult until day of surgery is usually from 30-90 days out. I won't need a sleep test probably because I already have sleep apnea, but I was wondering about the psych evaluation and what else you usually have to do ahead of time? Any help is deeply appreciated. Thanks, Sheshegirl72

I wonder why it's different for some people. Well I need to have the scope down the throat anyways because I need to know if this is an ulcer and get it cleared up. I'm not sure if they will even do the band if I've "had" an ulcer. I hope it's just acid reflux. Thanks for all your input ladies and I'm sorry for those of you who have to do the 6 mos diet first. That just makes no sense why some bc policies are different.

Hmm I'm not sure if BC in each state is different or not. I have had issues with bc in the past telling me different things every time I call (for something else). I feel your pain! I would call bc again and ask if their policy in OK is different than MI because it supposedly JUST changed and maybe OK doesn't know yet. I didn't get to go to my dang consult yesterday because I ended up with the stomach flu. I was mad but I am going in 2 weeks after I get back from a trip to NYC.

My beagles are Belle & Livvy. I don't do anything with them except let my kids spoil them. ha ha I love beagles though! I'm gonna have to set up a ticker. I haven't done that since I was on FertilityFriend.com when I was trying to get pg. I have a 2.5yr old son, through domestic adoption and a 13mos daughter through a miracle when we thought we couldn't get pg! Well good luck and hopefully everything goes smoothly. I'm anxious to go on Tues to my consult!

Hi Beaglemom, I am also a "beagle mom". lol I have 2 beagles...lol Anyway, since you have sleep apnea and reflux, did they make you go through a sleep test again or no? I have a mild case and also have have acid reflux and take prilosec everyday (with a rx). I was curious if they would do the scope down the throat since I have it or not? Did that do that to you or have you already had one in the past? Thanks, Sherry

I checked with my insurance and they said that it did recently change and the dr just needs to sign off on the form now and they don't require a 6 mos diet. WOW, it JUST changed they said! I am nervous about my consult. Why do some people have upper GI, some have sleep test etc? I have mild sleep apnea so I am wondering if I will have to do a sleep test again. Have any of you had any problems with eating foods? I am curious about what you can't eat anymore. I'm sure they will go over that with me but I'm just getting ahead of myself to know what to expect :thumbdown:

Did either of you need to do a 6 mos diet prior? Barix said that it should only take 30-90 days but I need to call my ins again. Everytime I call for things i get a different answer outta bcbs of MI. I haven't met the surgeon yet but they scheduled my consult with a Dr Jamokay Taylor. The email I got was from his office saying "Warrenton Weight Loss onf site at Barix Clinics. Sorry my text changed when I copied his name in here. lol

Wow I see you've lost 38lbs already. Thats awesome! So how long did the process take from your consult til your surgery? I was just curious. I have acid reflux but don't they do an upper GI or something to make sure you are ok? I have wondered if it was an ulcer but was never tested with the scope down my throat and I take prilosec daily by rx (40mg) and I don't have any issues now, so my dr kinda chalked it up to acid reflux.

Wow that sucks that they didn't call your dr to let you know you were approved. I am going to my group consult on Tuesday, then will talk to the surgeon so we will see what they say. I really hope I don't have to do a 6 mos diet.

Thanks Poppet for your help. That's basically what the lady at the Barix clinic said that bcbs is requiring now. I have a list i need to fill out of diets I've tried over the last few years and how much I lost, etc and then she said the dr at the clinic can sign off on it from what she was told in a meeting last week. She said it was a recent change. I need to call my ins again to find out if they can maybe send me a list of requirements because I tried writing them down but couldn't remember them all and forgot to verify if they pay at 100%. I have good ins and they usually do but we will see.

I am going to a consult there on 5/5/09 for the one in MI. I was also wondering if anyone used them. Hopefully someone will answer :drool: