New and Unsure

[saraconner 0]

Hi all,

I have always been a yo-yo dieter. My lowest adult weight was 159 when I met my dh. I am now 220 after losing 6.4 on ww. I had 3 babies in 3 years and the youngest is now turning 3 next month so I can't blame my weight on that. I have never weighed this much.

I have long been thinking about the lapband and have a friend who had it done in December and is very happy thus far with the results. My dh was negative about it at first but the other day he brought it up and said that if I was truly unhappy (which of course I am) that I should really look into it and make a doctor apt. I don't think my pcp will make the necessary referrals though....I just don't really know where to start. I called my insurance and of course approval is done on a case by case basis and the lady wouldn't give me any more info than that....

I'm not sure what questions I have just wondering if I should pursue the lb or continue with ww.....or both?

TIA,

Sara

[TxMomof4 0]

Hi Sara, i am new as well. I hope you find this site as helpful as I already have. I hope I can answer a part of your question with a question, have you googled lapband doctors in your area? Most have seminars you can go to. The doc i chose calls the insurance company themselves. Unfortunately mine will not be covered :laugh: but, I am having it done anyway! My personal consult was free, at that time while I was in my consult, they contacted my insurance company.

I hope this helps you!

D

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Your insurance must have some guidelines....may I suggest calling back and getting a supervisor who can tell you what they look at? ALL approval is case by case but you have to know what they want in advance! Good grief! Some require 6 months supervised diets, some require certain BMI's, some weights, etc etc.

I can see how they couldn't 'approve" you over the phone but they CAN and must tell you what prerequisites you need to fill!

My PCP referred me to a center that my insurance did NOT cover. However, I called my ins, found out who they accepted, and found my beloved center that way. They DID submit the claim for me...but if I hadn't asked, that other place would've just told me I wasn't covered and I would've had to pay.

So find out what your insurance requires and which surgeons are approved, and then start going to seminars! Good luck!