Big Disappointment!

I had my surgery date, Sept.19 and went today for my upper GI. Went to a LAP-BAND® support group last night too. Everything going great. I thought I better call my insurance and just make sure that I didn't need any pre-approval for hospital. Low and behold, they don't cover the LAP-BAND®! I just can't believe it. I had to put 2500.00 down at the doctor's for the after care program too. I am just heart broken. Of course, I called the doctor's office and she said it was a oversite on her part. That she had written down that insurance didn't cover my band, but forgot to forward it on. Can't you believe that? That a doctor's staff wouldn't catch that ahead of time is beyond me. I guess I could have had the operation and been stuck with a huge bill afterwards.
I went through all this stuff and for nothing. They are going to credit my CC for the 2500.00. Big whoop! Now what? I am just devasted. I have cried all day.
Oh, and my insurance will cover gastic bypass. They will cover having my insides rearranged but not a little band. Back to the drawing board. Dieting and Dieting and Dieting.........Gaining,losing,gaining, losing. I guess I am meant to be fat forever.

Mary:help:

I'm so sorry things aren't working out for you. Any chance you can change your insurance to a plan that does cover Lap Banding?

Roberta

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TWO POUNDS TO "ONEDERLAND"

Banded April 24, 2006

June 8th fill: 1.50cc
July 27th fill: .50cc
Oct. 5th fill: .50cc
Oct. 18 unfill: .25cc
Dec. 14 Fill: .25cc no restriction
Dec.21-no fluid found in band. refill: 2.50cc
February Challenge: 5 (45min.) session 13 to go!
64 oz water per day

Thread Starter

I am going to look into that. Right now, I am just trying to breathe in and out. My husband refuses to discuss the bypass option. He was supportive of the band.

Mary

I am so sorry to hear that. The same thing happened to me. I ended up going to Monterrey Mexico and being banded. I just couldn't see myself having the bypass. Goodluck with this all!!

I am sorry to hear about that, what a huge oversite on your physcian's office staff!

I too am self-pay. We refinanced our home in order for me to have the surgery? Would that, or some other type of loan be a possibility for you?

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Banded: 4/28/06-Dr. Herrera-Jacksonville FL
Band to sleeve revision 4/2/09 - Alberto Aceves-Mexicali, Mexico
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Hi, sorry to hear your news! But don't give up that easily...They cover life threatening surgery but not a "belt" for your stomach.....um no, that makes no sense....fight it---appeal it! Give them all the info you can get about LAP-BAND® vs. GP and send it to them along with your appeal letter. Do you have any co-morbities??? If you do, use them to your advantage!! My sis had GP but for her I considered it life threatening not to have it. Its totally not for me. I read that GP costs $40,000 and lap banding is $28,000 (well here in NJ anyway) ask your insurance if they pay for all the medical problems that come from being overweight!! You can totally do this!!! GO GET 'EM!!!!!! Keep your chin up and keep at them until you get your way!!!

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244 lbs @ Consult
Banded 9/27 Dr Alexander Onopnchenko-Atlantic City, New Jersey
1st fill 11/3
2nd fill 12/20
3rd fill 4/26