Hello ...

[Nancy6015 0]

I have a surgery date of January 6th. I am 62 and have fought this fight for over 50 years. I finally talked with my PCP about LAP-BAND®® and encouraged me, to go for it, she has a few patients who have had the surgery.

I called my insurance carrier Blue Cross/Blue Sheild of Michigan (BCBSM). I was told I should start by getting 6 months of documented weightloss attempts. I went to my PCP in April and she started the documentation. As of today I have seen her for 7 months.

In September I again called BCBSM and was told that the 6 months of documentation was no longer required, just a letter from the doctor! September 1st my husband and I went to a seminar at the University of Michigan Bariatric Center. I chose U of M because my cardiologist and PCP are on staff and they utilize a wonderful system, CareWeb, so everyone has access to my medical records.

BCBSM may have relaxed their criteria, but to qualify for the surgery U of M required a physical, a psyc evaluation, 6 months of weightloss documentation, a recommendation letter from my PCP. Also, because I had a heart attack in July 2008 I needed a recommendation letter from my cardiologist and in order to get that, I had to have an ultrsound and a stress test. I had to attend at least 2 support group sessions, meet with a nutriutionist, and start a Vitamin D Rx after my blood work up revealed a deficiency ...I've been told that everyone is Michigan has a Vitamin D deficiency!

I still have to meet with the nutritionist on 12/18 for instructions for the 2 week pre-op liquid diet and I have a pre-op appointment on 12/17 for another physical, an EKG, an x-ray and blood work and to meet with the anesthesiologist.

The request to approve my surgery was sent to BCBSM this past Tuesday and I am hoping for no problems because of the significant changes for the criteria to quafily.

I am learning a lot on LapBandTalk ... thank you all.