Newbie from Tenn

[tennCaryn 0]

Hey everyone! I have been researching all about the LapBand for awhile and I think it's really the solution for me! I have a good friend that did it over a year ago and I have talked to her extensively also! My biggest question she can't answer (she did selfpay) Where do I start? Do I talk to insurance first, talk to my doctor, find a surgeon in my area etc? I am overwhelmed and need help on what to do first! Thanks in advance for any advice!

[poohprecious 0]

Hi the first step I would suggest is find out if your insurance covers the procedure. If so, get the requirements from there find a doctor (In- Network) and they should guide you through the rest!! Good Luck

P.S If your insurance does not cover it.....then maybe others will help you with self-pay options......I was really blessed that my insurance covered it for me! Take Care and Let me know if I can be of any assistance to you.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I agree with Poohprecious. However my internist told me I needed to do something ASAP or I'd crash pretty quickly, so I kind of started with him. He recommended the band but I'd flirted with the idea for years. In fact...I thought my insurance would NOT cover it (I had called twice, in Jan and again in April of this year!) and was proceeding with finding a surgeon etc so I could pay for it when i got a flyer (my DH is retired army and it was the retiree newsletter) saying TriCare DOES pay. So I switched surgeons from the original one my Internist recommended (so glad I did!) and took it from there. I'm VERY lucky; the hospital my main surgeon uses has an insurance coordinator who does all the paperwork for you. What a blessing. My stuff was approved within 48 hours of submission, but I think that is really rare.

You'll have (probably) a meeting with a psychiatrist or psychologist, and a nutrition consult, and whatever preop tests the surgeon thinks you need.

ANYWAY after this long post (sorry!) check with your insurance and check again! I was misinformed both in Jan and in April...