anyone have bcbs federal????

[Deanna160 0]

I want to know what the pre-op steps are and how long it took before u were approved

[BLESSED43 11]

Hi, I have BCBS FEDERAL.. u have to see a Psychologist JUST ONCE. THEN A DIETITIAN JUST ONCE. U NEED TO HAVE BEEN ON A DOCTORS DIET LAST YR OR THEY WILL MAKE U DO 3 MONTHS SUPERVISION DIET WITH A DOCTOR BEFORE YOUR APPROVAL. A LETTER OF CLEARANCE FROM YOUR PCP AND 2yrs. DOCUMENTS OF YOUR WEIGHT, BMI OVER 40, U CAN GET THIS FROM ANY DOCTORS OFFICE U WENT TO--EVEN A DOCTORS WALK IN CLINIC,,, OR THE EMERGENCY ROOM,, ANY WHERE THE DOCUMENTED YOUR WEIGHT I'M 5'5 229 I barely made it. but it only took 2 days to get approval once the doctors office sent it in to BCBS . THEIR REALLY FAST I HAVE 3 COWORKERS THAT TOLD ME IT ONLY TOOK DAYS FOR APPROVAL. FOR THEM AS WELL.

[Shelleymb 75]

Oh thank god! I have bcbs federal and I am in the middle of my 3 month supervised diet, but wasn't sure how long after it would take. I hope to get the surgery in march!

[Daddyof4 95]

I have federal BCBS too - my experience was the same as Blessed12's. The 3 months felt like a huge slog but I realize that if I got the surgery the day I walked into the surgeon's office (which I had hoped for) I would have failed. The three months is a training period when you get used to the idea of losing weight and learn how to use the band. I thought, once I had my third visit pre-op that it would take forever to get approved and, when I hadn't heard from the office in a week or so, I called to find out what the process was from there - and when they called me back to give me the answer they said I'd been approved that day and when could we schedule the surgery! I was amazed but scheduled the surgery. I got another call the next day to ask me if I wanted to switch to another doctor in the practice because he had a cancellation for the next week. I had my lapband installed May 21, 2012 instead of waiting till the end of June. Good luck to all of you.

[BLESSED43 11]

@dady of4 how much have u lost so far.and Congrats. .

[SeaSounders♥ 225]

I am a fellow FEP BCBS member hoping to receive a quick and painless approval. I have completed PSYCH eval and all but one Nut visit which is coming up next week then I finally meet the surgeon on 1/21/13. I would love to be banded in Feb!! Good Luck to everyone!!

[aufan 69]

Its enciuraging to hear bcbs federal is not a long waiting period. I have completed the Physical Therapy eval, Psychological Eval, and will have my final 3 month dr supervised weigh-in Thursday.

This is my first post here. I am most nervous about having to explain my surgery to co- workers and famiky that may judge me for doing it.

Best to all of you embarking on this new path forward.

[SeaSounders♥ 225]

@aufan I have only told my closets family members and a few friends also I think that once I see the results maybe I will tell more people but its really a private and personal experience so don't feel bad if you keep it a secret!

[BLESSED43 11]

Aufan, Its up to u who u want to tell I personally didnt tell any one except my sisters and 3very close friends at work I didnt want to hear their horror stories and unwanted advice about my life.so I was banded on the 17th of this month and because the schedule was all ready out I told my Supra I had to have emergency surgery and I didnt tell her what it was for and for those who called to be noisy I told them my gall bladder had to be removed. So dont feel guilty its your life your BIZZNESS. it was the best decision for me and when u get banded im sure u will agree.Congrats to u.

[sbox 24]

I have fed bcbs as well. I had to meet the bmi requirements, meet with a dietician just once, and that's about it. I did all the pre op tests and the pre op diet 2 weeks before surgery. My first appt with the surgeon was the first part of March and my surgery was the end of April. That was in 2010 so they may have made so changes since then.

[SueBee01 630]

Me too, if you don't meet the BMI then you have to have two co-morbidities (pre diabetic, high chol, high blood press, etc.) the thrr month supv diet was great as it was mostly learning about what we were about to go through. The time flew by.

I am in N FL. One year post op on 1/30.

[BigOBoy123 67]

I have BCBS Federal too. Do they require the 3 month weight records to be immediately before the surgery or can it be any 3 consecutive months before?

[SueBee01 630]

The three months is for supervised program. We were more focusing on the changes that would take place after surgery, how to live with the band, make smart choices and start making your own changes during that time. I gave up my sweet tea, soda, caffeine, bread and sweets during that time. Then three months later my nut had me go back on bread, just healthy bread I stii do not drink soda or sweet tea. And, I now occasionally enjoy a treat, just a bite!

Approval for me happened in 24 hours!

[ladybug108 7]

How recent were your three months before you sent in info for approval?

[BigOBoy123 67]

The 3 consecutive months were June, July and August of 2012