tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050229473581261213.post6991715061967865572..comments2023-08-17T03:31:04.906-05:00Comments on Kristen's Lapband Journey: First Meeting with my SurgeonKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499180587958481576noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050229473581261213.post-36699747900529099792009-09-08T14:21:09.167-05:002009-09-08T14:21:09.167-05:00Thank you all so much for your comments! I just lo...Thank you all so much for your comments! I just love hearing from all of you who have had the band and know what it feels like pre-surgery to go through all the insurance mess :( I am getting really excited and just hope I can get the band SOOON! Thanks again :)Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13499180587958481576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050229473581261213.post-23833552720221064342009-09-04T12:45:43.017-05:002009-09-04T12:45:43.017-05:00first of all, haha, all those requirements are nor...first of all, haha, all those requirements are normal! And like you did like 3 of them in a day at the hospital. The sleep study I had previously had done, so yay for me! But yeah as soon as you do all that she'll just send it in. Depending on who you have it can take from 1 week to like 12 wks. But my MD said most insurance are quick about it now days. My approval only took 1 wk through BCBS, they were fan-tabulous!!! Then they can schedule the surg within 2-3 wks of the approval b/c you have to pay the md and hospital your part of what your insurance doesn't cover first. It soon lady, it's soon! I'm excited for you!!!<br /><br />btw, most of those denials in that pile say something like "you are not approved yet but if you do _________________ then you can be." so don't be too worrisome. Your insurance may come back asking you to do something else, that's no biggie. you just do it and try again! ya know?<br /><br />It's going to be real soon!Liz - Lizzle - Libby Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00035562478549837609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050229473581261213.post-89275144255577979682009-09-04T09:18:21.834-05:002009-09-04T09:18:21.834-05:00Kristen - Sounds like it went great. Yep, pretty s...Kristen - Sounds like it went great. Yep, pretty sure everyone has to do a psych eval. Mine was a piece of cake! No tests, just chatting about my weight loss and diet history. I didn't have to do a sleep study, but did have to do 6 months of diet with my primary doctor and show evidence of two years of BMI's above 40. I was VERY worried about insurance as well, but was approved within a week. If you have everything they say you need you should be fine. I agree with Robyn, I'd call your insurance company just to double check all of the requirements in case your "surgery scheduler" missed something!!jennyr1222https://www.blogger.com/profile/09716754550641172002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050229473581261213.post-68100622937044809502009-09-04T08:46:28.694-05:002009-09-04T08:46:28.694-05:00I'm glad your appointment went well! :) I'...I'm glad your appointment went well! :) I'm keeping my fingers crossed you get it done in October! <br /><br />As far as I know everyone has to have a psych-eval, they have to make sure you can mentally cope with having the surgery done. On mine I had to talk to the shrink (mine has this really tall curly hair, it reminded me of that science that used tobe on tv when we were kids, lol), then he gave me a few tests to take, and I went home. I found out about a week or two later I passed, I saw him again for a follow-up and that was it. <br /><br />I never had to do the nutrition class, but I had been doing LA Weight Loss for a year when I decided to get the band (which, btw, is a crock, dont waste your time). But I don't know if my doctor required it either, he may have for other patients, and I also went through the military to get it done since my husband was still active duty at the time. <br /><br />Now I do know that when we tried to get my husbands band done after he got out of the Army they were going to make him do teh sleep study, but that's because he's got sleep apnea (he had two corrective surgeries two years ago though, so it helps), but I don't, so I never had to have it done. <br /><br />I think it just depends on what you have may and what your doctor and insurance company requires you do. I didn't have to jump through as many hoops when we through went with the military, but I know civilian doctors you do (and our new insurance company as civilians doesn't cover WLS, so I dont have coverage anymore, boo!). <br /><br />Congrats again! :)Bombtastic Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511828392782213764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050229473581261213.post-66567777394589864992009-09-04T08:21:00.952-05:002009-09-04T08:21:00.952-05:00Hey Chicky, CONGRATS!! I know how much you were lo...Hey Chicky, CONGRATS!! I know how much you were looking forward to this meeting. Everything sounds oh so familiar. I have Aetna and did a 3 month prep. I met with the nutrtionist once a month, had to attend 4 behavioral classes and met with a psych once. As for testing, I had a bunch of lab work and an EKG but that was it. It sounds like you're well on your way. My biggest fear throughout the whole purpose was insurance, it's the one thing you don't really have control of. Everything turned out fine though, and it should for you too! Stay patient and persistent, thats the best advice I can give you!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02271436599994993602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3050229473581261213.post-834500909315523832009-09-04T01:57:43.821-05:002009-09-04T01:57:43.821-05:00Kristin - It sounds like you're on your way! ...Kristin - It sounds like you're on your way! I'll *hopefully* be banded in October too, so we'll be band buddies. I'm also going through the insurance hoops. I had to do a psychological evaluation, provide documentation from my doctors for the last two years about my weight, a bunch of paperwork I had to fill out, doctor recommendation letter, and then complete a 3 month "surgery prep" which consists of visiting a nutritionist once a month. <br /><br />Just for peace of mind, you could call your insurance company directly and have them point you to the section of your policy that covers weight loss surgery. It should specificallly lay out what conditions qualify you for coverage (BMI, a minimum number of weight related health problems, etc.) Then you can verify that you meet the requirements, which would mean you should get approved. I also worry about getting approval, even though I meet my policy's conditions for coverage I won't feel sure until I get the approval call!Robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103402883584954480noreply@blogger.com