brookepanda 0 Posted June 24, 2008 Hi there! My name is Brooke, and I'm I guess you'd say in the begining stages of getting banded. I have my first consult on July 11th. I'm hoping it's smooth sailing from there, but I can't be sure. I don't know what I need to do beforehand to get it done. I have blue cross blue shield ppo and I'm not sure of the steps (or rather hoops) they make you go through in order to be approved. A little about me I'm five feet exactly and I currently weigh 236 pounds I have a beautiful daughter who is 18 months old, and a wonderful and very supportive husband of 5 years. We reside in Northern California, and I'm seeing dr. Jossert in San Francisco. I've found a lot of useful information on this site and thought I'd introduce myself and say hi to all of you :thumbup: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiz 1 Posted June 24, 2008 Hi Brooke. I'm not too far ahead of you. I have my first physician appointment scheduled for next week. I've gotten a ton of information from this site. Welcome to LBT, and good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brookepanda 0 Posted June 24, 2008 Hi Brooke. I'm not too far ahead of you. I have my first physician appointment scheduled for next week. I've gotten a ton of information from this site. Welcome to LBT, and good luck! Did you set up psych. eval on your own? I see it in your siggy that you've got lots of steps covered! More than I've got for sure..... Where are you from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PATCHELTON 0 Posted June 24, 2008 (edited) In my case I had to attend an informational seminar, have a consult with the surgeon, have a psych evaluation, and my insurance (Blue Choice) required a documented 6 month dietary weight loss attempt. I used the bariatric dietician for that. They also accept Weight Watchers, and the like, as long as you have documentation. The surgeon asked for a stress test, my PCP threw in an echocardiogram (I work for cardiologists so I had them both done at work). Once the paperwork was all together it was submitted to Blue Choice (took 4 weeks for approval) then I had to see the dietician again for the pre/post-op dietary consult, and have a class with the nurse. Once the date was set, I had to call the hospital billing office to settle any outstanding charges not covered by insurance before surgery. Fortunately there were none. My out-of-pocket expenses were minimal. The insurance even covered an overnight stay in the hospital. After surgery you get followup appts (in my case 90 days post-op were covered under the surgery). The dietary consult covers 6 months of advice or visits if needed with the dietician. I started going to support groups last summer, joined this forum in November, and was banded 3/25/08. Edited June 24, 2008 by PATCHELTON Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brookepanda 0 Posted June 24, 2008 Thanks for all the info! Can I ask.... did you take your cat in for professional pictures? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiz 1 Posted June 24, 2008 Did you set up psych. eval on your own? I see it in your siggy that you've got lots of steps covered! More than I've got for sure..... Where are you from? At the seminar, we received a packet of information and it included a list of psychologists that do the gastric surgery evaluations. One was $300 and another was $100, so it's good to check around. Someone asked if their personal psychologist could complete the evaluation, and the doctor said it should be fine but to check with their office. I'm seeing a doctor in the Richmond, VA area. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brookepanda 0 Posted June 24, 2008 At the seminar, we received a packet of information and it included a list of psychologists that do the gastric surgery evaluations. One was $300 and another was $100, so it's good to check around. Someone asked if their personal psychologist could complete the evaluation, and the doctor said it should be fine but to check with their office. I'm seeing a doctor in the Richmond, VA area. ok thanks for the info! my seminar is not until July 19th :sad_smile: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
