Starting My Lap Band Journey In 2 Weeks!

[new chapter in life 5]

Hi all----I've been reading some of your blogs & wanted to say how helpful they've been. I started my process back in May----I was hoping to have had my surgery by now, but after my final visit to the Dr in Sept (per insurance requirements), I was denied by AETNA. The reasons they listed were factually wrong, but the AETNA Dr refused to change her mind. Luckily for me, I had a successful appeal & am scheduled for my surgery in a little over 2 weeks!! I start my pre-op stuff this week.

I found this site after wondering what to expect after the surgery---Its been really informative & I am looking forward to reading & sharing some more. I feel better prepared for what to expect right before & after my surgery.

Good Luck to us all!

[Cara K. 0]

Congrats on being approved. I also have Aetna and I go for my 3rd visit at the end of this month. If you dont mind me asking, how long did it take Aetna to make a decision and what were their reasonings for denying you? As it gets closer to my appointment I am getting more and more nervous about submitting my insurance forms.

[new chapter in life 5]

^{I started back in April/May---I was required by AETNA to lose 10 lbs over 6 months, attend nutrition/diet class & exercise. I did all of that & completed what was required of me by the Dr's office. So after my last weigh in, the surgery approval request was submitted. After about 2 weeks, I got the denial---and in it they said I didnt complete all the necessary things--didnt exercise, have supervised weight loss, attend nutrition/diet class etc. Not only did I do everything I was supposed to, I wore a downloadable pedometer & my fitness club was able to give me a printout of all the times I went there. The Dr's office tried to talk to the AETNA rep, but she refused to back down. So they started the appeal & my emloyers insurance broker got involved. An appeal usually takes up to 30 days----they had it done in less than 2 weeks!! I knew that I had done all that I was supposed to & that I would prevail, but its just so stressful!! The Dr's office said this one AETNA rep is known to deny everything and they knew it would get reversed.}

^{I would just suggest that you document document document!!}

^{Good Luck & keep me posted!}

[Dawn200321 146]

WOW...i have aetna and didnt need to do any of that. I had a 4 month supervised diet in which I ended up gaining weight. I was approved the first time. I am so glad they approved you finally!!!! YAY!!!

[new chapter in life 5]

Dawn--how did you get your ticker on there? I just tried & couldnt do it!! I copied the HTML & tried to paste onto my signature under settings.....is this right???

thanks

[Dawn200321 146]

hmmm it sounds like you did it right? There are two codes usually. Did you try both??