minnie318

I had to start with my family Dr. It is a long process so don't get discouraged. Make an appointment with your doc and tell her what you want and she should be able to point you in the right direction.

April 12th for me....doing my 2 week pre-op now. I am getting so excited. I had my pe-op class yesterday, nothing left to do but go to the hospital. Any one haveing their lap band done in April??? lets be bandster buddys through our jurney im so excieted

I am an April bandster...my date is the 12th. Best wishes to you!

I am an April bandster...my date is the 12th. Best wishes to you!

Finally got my date for surgery. April 12th. So excited. I started the whole process last May. The last few weeks have been the hardest. I thought waiting for the final approval was going to drive me insane. I was told it would take 5 days, but it took 10 (business days) so I actually waited 2 weeks. Anyways....32 days to go. Start my 2 week diet on the 28th. My emotions are going nuts right now, and I am sure it will only get worse as I get closer to my date....Right now it is complete joy and excitement, earlier I was full of butterflies. We will see what tomorrow brings. Looking forward to beginning my new life!!!!!

Ahhhh...finally got my approval for surgery today. While on the phone with the coordinator at the surgeons office trying to get my date she kept mentioning bypass. I informed her that I was having lap band and her reply was "Ooops, my fault. I submitted for bypass." It is an easy fix, but it just seems like it is always one thing or another. Nothing seems to be going smooth. Hopefully she is able to keep her word and she will call me back tomorrow so we can schedule. Scheduling in April so I am going to take the first date I can get. I guess the most important part is the fact that I got approved and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Ahhhh...finally got my approval for surgery today. While on the phone with the coordinator at the surgeons office trying to get my date she kept mentioning bypass. I informed her that I was having lap band and her reply was "Ooops, my fault. I submitted for bypass." It is an easy fix, but it just seems like it is always one thing or another. Nothing seems to be going smooth. Hopefully she is able to keep her word and she will call me back tomorrow so we can schedule. Scheduling in April so I am going to take the first date I can get. I guess the most important part is the fact that I got approved and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

One step closer. Had my psych eval today and he said I am good to go. I need to see my PCP for an EKG (which I have to wait until the 23rd for) and then it is all up to them. I feel like maybe it might happen some day now. I started my journey in May of 2010 and here I am, still no date for my surgery, but I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is amazing to me the things they want you to do before they will do the surgery. Anyways...........my patience are running out and I hope this is over soon. I will feel much better when I have a date!!

OK...so here I am. Had my consultation with the surgeon today. I still need to do the psych eval and get my pre-op clearance from my PCP. After the surgeons office receives my documentation they will submit for approval from Health Net. UGHHHHHHHH, more waiting. I am so tired of all of this crap and I want my band already!!!!! Surgeon said about 6 more weeks if all goes well. I am learning how to practice patience if nothing else. Just curious if anyone else has Health Net and what your experience was if you don't mind sharing.

I am soooo excited. I fianally have my consultation with the surgeon on the 27th of January. Should not be long now. I have already completed my 6 month diet and have my pre-op clearance from my doctor. If all goes well, by this time next month I will be banded. It seems like it is taking foreve, but I guess in the long run it will be well worth the wait.

WOW! I don't know if I am going to have the patience for this process that my insurance company is requiring. I finally get to start my 6 month medically supervised diet on the 21st...only two weeks away but seems like it is forever. I have been going to so many Dr. appointments lately I might as well move into the medical office building. I finally get to meet with a surgeon tomorrow, but he is only going to refer me to another surgeon. He only does bypass and no surgeons in my medical group do banding. So I will have to wait for a referral from him and approval so I can then see another surgeon. I am hoping after I actually see a surgeon I will have a better attitude about this whole thing. I am trying to keep a good attitude about all of this but it seems like it take everyone forever to do any thing. I know I need to be patient....it took years to get here and I can't get back over night. My biggest fear is that I will lose too much weight on the supervised diet and my insurance will deny the surgery. AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!:eek:

I am getting very frustrated and for a fat girl that eats when she is upset, that is not good I went to my seminar on the 8th. Contacted my insurance and found out they do cover lap band with a 6 month supervised program first. Went to my primary care physician, told him I wanted to have surgery. He said my medical group requires a 6 month diet (no problem, have to do it for insurance anyway.) Said he would refer me to the doc for diet. Last night I went to orientation for supervised diet. Told them I wanted lap band surgery, but have to do medically supervised diet first. Was told I need to see my primary care again to have a physical, EKG, and bloodwork done. Made appointment this morning, will be going in on Friday. Got a phone call from a nurse from the supervised diet people (after I made dr appointment) and she informed me that my medical group does not do lap band surgery. They only do bypass...don't want bypass!!!! She recommended that I get an appointment with the doc for a bariatric consultation and see what he has to say. I thought that my primary care had already faxed a referral for me to see him and found out they have not received anything from him. They would contact his office and find out what is going on. Well, it is going to take 7-10 business days for the referral to be approved and then I can make the appointment. I thought this had already been stared so I have lost another 5 days to incompetence. I am hoping someone out there has had the insurance/medical group issue and can give me some light on the subject. I do not know if my insurance will cover the surgery out of my medical group. Please help!!!:rolleyes2:

Thanks kizzbit. If I ever get to the bottom of things I will post results. I am hoping my primary care can shed some light for me tomorrow.

I feel your frustration...I have to do a 6 month supervised diet. I found out the reason they require you to do a supervised diet is because they want to know that you are serious. They want to see that you will follow a program and most importantly keep all of you Dr. appointments. Good luck to you.

I would call around and check out the internet. I am sure you can find a place that does financing.

I have just started my process and as far as I can tell, my insurance (health net) covers the lap band. I was just wondering if anyone else has health net and if you would be willing to share your process with me...:smile:

Thanks monkeymama. did health net require you to do 6 month supevised diet?

So I saw my primary care physician on Tuesday and found out that I have to do a 6 month supervised diet before I can have my surgery....no big deal had a feeling that was coming. What I was not expecting to hear is that the food is really expensive and can cost $500 or more per month. Looks like I will be working overtime to offset the cot of the food. Wondering if anybody has done the HMR diet. Is it really that expensive? How does it taste? I sure could use some insight into the program. My orientation is the 18th, but am curious about other peoples experiences.

Wow...have a great time on your cruise. Sounds like a blast.

After procrastinating for five months, I am finally going to the seminar in the morning. I have been really excited since I registered, but now I am starting to get nervous.......so glad to have a supportive husband and son. I am open for any advise anyone may have as I begin this new journey.........

After procrastinating for five months, I am finally going to the seminar in the morning. I have been really excited since I registered, but now I am starting to get nervous.......so glad to have a supportive husband and son. I am open for any advise anyone may have as I begin this new journey.........