Praying for a band soon :)

[panda 0]

Hello fellow bandsters

I first joined this site a LONG time ago, but am just now posting because originally the insurance I had would not cover the band (or ANY bariatric surgery for that matter) and I got discouraged. Well, fast forward, new job, new insurance. I just found out yesterday from them that as long as it's deemed medically necessary (which it obviously is already - my primary doc brought this up with me, not the other way around), that it'll be covered!!! Obviously there are some hoops i have to jump through, but nothing major.

I just wanted to finally introduce myself

I'm Amanda (or Panda - whichever you'd prefer), I'm 24, will be 25 next month. I live in NE Florida and I've been married to a wonderful man for 3.5 years now (and he is 1000000% behind me in my decision to get banded---he wants me to be around for many years to come!). We have 5 'furbabies' (1 dog, 4 cats), but we are definitely ready to have babies of our own.

My mom and dad are going to see about being banded in the new year as well as my sister (her hubby doesn't want her to have it though). It seems all our prayers are being answered because their insurances are going to start covering the surgery in the new year as well.

I just called Dr. Cywes's office in Jacksonville today (the doc I'm looking at for my banding) and I got a consultation appointment for MONDAY! I couldn't believe it! I'm so excited! Granted, with my insurance, I still have to pay 20% of everything, but I'm hoping maybe they will arrange a payment plan with me so I don't have to pay everything up front -- that would severely delay me getting banded.

Anyway, if anyone else is in the NE FL area and would like to talk, please feel free to email me :-D

Take care everyone!!

-Panda-

[DomincanGirl 0]

Hi Amanda

Well I will pray for to have this approved!:biggrin1: :biggrin1:

I am going through the jumping through hoops part with insurance .. but with not so good luck , so far . (keep me in your prayers too.)

Its so exciting to finally know that there is a tool to help in aiding weightloss isnt it.

I pray for the best for you and cant wait to here of your approval

Take care

[Devana 0]

Holy smokes, Panda, things are really falling into place for you and the rest of your family. Congratulations, this sounds like a wonderful new start for you.

Glad you started posting, by the way!

[chocolate_snaps 3]

GoodLuck Panda!! Dominicana, I too am in the jumping through hoops phase. I hope you have a better time at it and get approved.

[flabuless 18]

Welcome Amanda

Congrats on sorting your insurance issues out...You wont regret the 20% you will have to pay as this op will improve your lifestyle 100% if not more...I look forward to hearing of your progress

[~Jules~ 0]

I paid 100% of mine, so your 20% sounds pretty good. It will be so worth it. It is cool that your family will be banded too. You will have a banded Christmas next year. lol

[juliegeraci 7]

Hi Panda, I hope your new insurance covers your surgery. I had to jump through hoops as well and they finally covered it out of network. It was well worth it. Most doctors do take a payment plan so hopefully that will work out for you. Good luck.

[panda 0]

Thank you for all the well wishes, and I'll keep you all in my prayers! :eek:

I'm just so excited I could burst. I know the band is not perfect and that it's not a magic pill of sorts, but to know that I'll finally have something to help me, it's just amazing. I've battled my weight since I was a child and have been on medley's (sp?) of medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, etc, etc, since I was 17. The thought of FINALLY not having to take 5 or 6 medicines a day and still be healthy is almost too much to imagine. I don't think it'll truly hit me until I wake up from surgery one day, LOL.

Anyway, I have to be to work early tomorrow, so i have to end this here. Have a great night everyone!

-Panda-