Hi everyone! back again! :)

[tattooed 0]

hi everyone!! I'm back after a little hiatus. I started my lap band journey in January of this year. I was referred to Pennsylvania Hospital by my PCP. I started the process with Pennsylvania but dropped out of the program for a few reasons.

I am starting the process all over again. I changed my PCP and the new one gave me my referral today!! I am going to see Dr. Soriano at Jeanes Hospital in Philadelphia. At the moment, my BMI is about a 38. As far as comorbidities, I do not have any of the major ones most insurances look for. I do have degenerative disk disease (3 herniated disks in the lumbar area with radiculopathy in my left leg), arthritis in knees, ankles, and feet, prehypertension, depression, and I believe I may have sleep apnea (at least a mild case of it...). I get chest pains, tightness, and shortness of breath when I "overexert" myself...although if I were a normal weight overexerting myself would not mean walking a couple blocks to work or climbing the steps in my house to the second floor!

I have my consultation with Dr. Soriano on August 18th and am very excited. I spoke with a VERY nice woman in his office and explained my situation to her - 2 other hospitals (friends referred me to check them out) would not accept me into their bariatric programs because I did not have any of the major comorbidities. She spoke with the coordinator and set me up with an appointment right away!!! She was surprised I had been turned away without even having a consultation with the doctors at the other hospitals! She also said I should have no problems with my insurance since Keystone Health Plan East is excellent and as long as I clear my testing coming up, I should be approved.

Now I know this is getting ahead of myself, and I am just happy to have the referral. I feel like this is a tool to not just help my improve my health but also to help me get my life back! So that's me and my story so far! Good luck to all in their journeys!

[danielle b 32]

Good luck to you!! It sounds like you will get approval. I also had no co-morbidities but I did have a BMI over 40. I was approved in about a week. I currently have 2 insurances, my out of pocket was $176....