dcowens

Thank you all. I've checkede out a few options. My current insurance ends the at the end of the month of termination. So Jan 1st I will no longer have the insurance. I CAN get the COBRA but you were all right about it being expensive. I was actually fired for something, but am appealing it immediately. I have already started the appeal process. If I end up being able to keep my job I will do so and will have no problem having the surgery. I think what will end up happening is that I may not win my appeal battle, and will pay the outrageous amount for one more month to keep my insurance and have my lap band placed. I have already applied online for unemployment because my family cannot survive without my income. I will also begin college next semester. between my loans and unemployment we will be fine until I can get a better job through my schooling. I am going early tomorrow morning to apply for the state insurance. I guess everything happens for a reason right?

Hello everyone. I drive 4 hours to get to my surgeon and to drive there AND pay for the fills is just too expensive at the moment to be honest. I am hoping there is a fill doctor closer to home *kingman, az* so that I wont have to drive so far for a fill. Not to mention i have to take my 1 year old son with me, and car trips that far just don't go over so well with him! If anyone can help me, please, I would really appreciate your help. Thank you anyone!!! =)

Well, my surgery date is Jan 11th. =) I have never been more nervous AND excited about anything in my life. I put on my scrubs for work in the morning and feel so uncomfortable in them. It only reminds me that soon it will be melting away. My mom just gave me her old exercise bike and I'm starting to work out now to get in better shape after the lap-band. =D I start my liquid protein diet Dec 28th and it will be two weeks long. =( I'm gonna have to say goodbye to Alfonsos, Taco Bell, Mickey D's......BUT I CAN DO IT! By the way, getting through the Holidays will be difficult for the handfull of you that will be drinking the shakes during, I am sorry but the only advice I have is to stay strong. I keep telling myself I'm not going to go through surgery just to ruin everything by eating unhealthily. Maybe you can have that attitude while drinking your shakes. You know, you WILL lose weight from being on that liquid diet, so if you think about it as the beginning of your weight loss journey maybe it will be easier for the lot of you to be motivated and stay on track. Best of luck all!

You can do this! It takes time to figure everything out and straighten out the details but I have faith in you! I had this problem, too. I called my insurance and asked what I need to do for the lap band (what testing I needed for the insurance etc) They said that they could not release the information. My doctor called my insurance and I started contacting bariatric surgery centers on my own. My surgery center is called Bridges. They had all the info that I needed for my surgery. Maybe you can call around your area for bariatric surgery centers? They were the biggest help for me. You would of course have to ask if they take your insurace. =) Good Luck

Well, my surgery date is Jan11. I'm super excited. I cant wait to be thinner and healthier. I am 20 years old and 100 lbs overweight...maybe 95 lbs. I have been working on getting my lap band since around may. I will be having my surgery done by Dr. Daniel Fang in Phoenix, Az. =)

I have a surgery date. Jan 11th, and I'm excited as it's getting closer...but I have decided not to tell my family. For personal reasons I guess. My immediate family such as my Mother, Husband and Son know...Otherwise only co-workers.

My name is Danika. I am 20 years old and weigh 227lbs. I live in arizona, and I'd love a buddy to help me get through the starting process. I'm so lost already and I feel like I'm going nowhere. I've seen my Dr., gotten labs drawn, spoken to someone at the mayo clinic in Phx and am awaiting a phone call to get to a seminar and consult with a surgeon. I have called my insurance company who had little to no information for me. They would not give out any requirements information and I don't know where to go from here. Help?

Reading these posts has actually made me more nervous. I called my insurance only to recieve little to no help. They simply told me I needed a prior auth from my pcp and a bmi of over 40 and documentation of dieting for a year. I have MMSI insurance through the hospital i'm working for. it's a POS not that I really understand what that means. =( I'm so new to all of this that I'm lost. I knew Dr. Simpson was covered by my insurance so I called his office and scheduled a consult for the lap band for this friday. The super kind woman I spoke with on the phone told me the only thing I needed to bring was my insurance card and my photo I.D. Is there anything else I need? I feel like I'm going unprepared. Please help!

I am 20 years old and did just what you did. haha. I actually went to my Dr. first (whom I am not super familiar with) and told him I was interested in the surgery for my health and we discussed my weight issues over the years. From there I called my insurance and asked what the requirements were and they told me they could not release that information?!?!?! They DID tell me though, that I need a prior authorization from my Dr. I called the facility that I know my insurance covers and tried to get an appointment...or a date...to go to a seminar and am waiting for a call back from a nurse there to set up a consult with a surgeon. I have yet to recieve a phone call. Since you're just starting out like I am, and I am anxious as it seems you are, too; I think it would be great to message every so often and maybe give each other advice on what next step we took!?! What do you think? message me! -Danika

My name is Danika. I am starting the process of getting lap band surgery. I have been overweight for over 6 years and am excited to be finally having something done about it! The time it's taking to get this done is so discouraging. I came to this forum hoping to find friends that have gone through the same loops that I have gone through so that I can have some guidance and encouragement.:tt1:

When I called to see what requirements my insurance had for lap band surgery they told me they could not release that information. I just started this process yesterday. I went and saw my dr. got blood work done, and called the place in phx where I would like to have my surgery done to attend a seminar and consult. I feel like I'm snailing along. I have never been so anxious. I hopefully soon am going to be waiting on insurance approval as well. I hope that everything goes smoothly for you....and I! LOL:rolleyes2: