All Talk and No Action

Hi from Maryland
I know I should start this process but for some reason I cn not get started. My brother had it done in November 2007 and he is doing great, has lost close to 60 lbs.

I need this, I wear a CPAP for sleep apnea, set on 13, I am a diagnosed diabetic, Type 2 for 2 years now, have GERD, High Cholestrol, hypertension, thyroid, suffer from anxiety. I take a pill cocktail in the morning and at night that could choke you.

Much of this could probably be taken care of if I were to lose a significant amount of weight. I know it, everybody knows it, I think my insurance would probably take care of it because it would take care of some major morbidities (sp).

Anyone else out there from Maryland, have BCBS insurance, how did you get started, who did you call, I did go to a seminar with my brother and I should have done it with him then.

Does it appear that I am asking a lot of questions. Any information from lap banders new and old would be appreciated.

I think my brother has lost patience with me because every time he talks to me he asks, "well, have you called anywhere yet?" I would like to tell him yes.

Baron....start by calling you doctor. Then call you insurance company. Or check the insurance website. Since you have been to a seminar, you know what you would be going through...and your brother has done so well. You can do that too. You have nothing to lose by calling you doctor. Make an appointment. The smallest step and start a good journey.

Thanks for your words of wisdom and support, I have visited my doctor and he said that i should research because he does not know much about the whole process. He said if I felt like it was something I wanted then I should do it. I guess I will talk to insurance co.

I was a fence-sitter too. Then my husband had the procedure in December 2007 and has already lost 50 pounds!

Now I am having it done next month. I have Blue Cross Clue Shield too (not in MD though).

Here are the steps I suggest to get the lap band:
1. Research online/talk to people to find a competent surgeon near you.
2. Call and make an appointment with surgeon.
3. B/4 surgeon appointment get copies of your medical records for the
last 3-5 years AND a letter from your primary care doctor saying that he thinks the procedure is medically necessary. (b/c BMI is above 40, all of your co-morbidities, etc.)
4. Schedule an appointment with a nutritionist and a psychologist to get the consults done- the surgeon's office may have someone they work with.
5. Have surgeon submit your package to the insurance company- then wait a few days/weeks for insurance to approve.

As of January 1, Blue Cross Blue Shield doesn't require the 6 month diet program before approval. They only require the doctor's letter (showing reasons why it is medically necessary), 3-5 years medical records, psych evaluation and nutritionist consultation.

I started the process March 4 (my birthday) and it has been a crazy 6 weeks of doctor's appointments and hounding my PCP for my records, but I have already been approved.

I hope that helps. Good luck!

Dear Maryland,
Please just do it. I am 56 years old and wish to god I had done this years ago. I am 2 days post op and believe me it was worth the 6 month wait to get everything in order. I truly believe that the next 20 years are going to be better than the last 20. And know what I decided that I will not die fat, or from one of the many things that can happen simply because of excessive weight. You have family support and plenty of good reasons to get your ass moving in the right direction...so what are you waiting for???!!! Best wishes!!
J.

It is a difficult decision, but you have seen first hand through your brother how different life can be. This site is a great place to start your research. Just call and make that appointment and get that ball rolling! Good luck to you!

You already took the first big step just by posting here. You'll get lots of encouragement from everyone here. Might want to call the surgeon's office and see if you need to attend another seminar if it's been a long time since you attended that one. Do you know what is causing you to hesitate? It took me a little while to make my decision but I'm oh sooooooo glad I did. I was pretty scared of the surgery since I'd had a bad one in the past. This one was a piece of cake. I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to. Keep in touch and let us know how it's going.

Your first stop needs to be the psychologist to make sure that this is what you need.

I did not have insurance but I knew that lap band was right for me so I was self pay. I would do it all over again! I have lost 40 lbs. since October 2007 and I feel so much better about myself and my health! I hope that you will research to find a really good doctor. That can make a huge difference in how you do if you have the surgery! I wish you all the best!