MrsLD

Dr. Pinnar was great. I met him and Sue. I didn't have a chance to meet Paul, though. Sue and I must have talked for at least 45 minutes. She was great. Sue weighed me and Dr. Pinnar did a quick exam. Sue also called my insurance company the next day and got the approval! Now I'm just waiting on the official letter.:biggrin:

I had my appointment on Tuesday and it went really well. I met with a nurse and the surgeon who both agreed that I would be a good candidate. The nurse called my insurance on Wednesday and received an approval! I am waiting to receive the official approval letter in the mail before scheduling the few appointments I need. Hopefully I will get to pick a date soon!

Thanks for the suggestions! Hopefully I will get the official approval letter in the mail soon so I can chat with the other surgeon on Monday!

I got a confirmation over the phone today that I was approved for the lap-band surgery. Maybe once I get the approval letter I will have a better understanding of whether I can switch to VSG with a new surgeon!

I'm 5'1" and currently 188 pounds. I don't have a surgery date yet but hope to have one soon!

Hi Everyone, Sorry if there are other posts about this. I've tried using the search feature but haven't found any similar threads. Like many others, I was originally set on lap-band surgery. I went to my consultation, the surgeon said I was a good candidate and it looks as though my insurance will be approving the procedure (I have Federal BCBS). I starting reading more and more stories about complications after lap-band surgery, I really thought hard about all the doctors visits for fills and unfills, and not to mention all the extra expense of it all (time away from work, $ for the appointments, $ for gas, etc.). After researching and talking to more people about VSG, I really think it would be a better option for me. My question, then, is if I get insurance approval for lap-band surgery, would another request need to be made specifically for the VSG? To complicate it further, the surgeon who was going to do my lap-band doesn't perform VSG so I will have to change surgeons. Has anyone else gone through this? I am curious about the process and all that is involved with switching procedures (and surgeons) after insurance approval. Thanks!! ~Laura

Thanks for the info! I was hoping that there would be a little more to the 1st appointment. Oh well. I guess I'll find out everything tomorrow!

Thank you for your response! Congratulations on your surgery date :thumbup:. Hopefully I won't be too far behind you! I guess I'm just not sure what to expect on the first visit. Will they weigh me, do blood work and discuss any other appointments that I might need to satisfy my insurance requirements? The receptionist said the appointment will be about an hour... I would like to keep in touch with you!!

That's how I feel as well. This is such a major decision and I am glad you all are here for support!!

Thank you for your post and congratulations on all of your success! I am at the beginning of the process and hope to be as successful as you :thumbup: