Hi everybody, im new. i just discovered this procedure yesterday and i have to have it. How can i go about getting it done? Does my doc (who is way hippie and would never surggest the surgery to me as an option) have to refer me? And I have cigna can i get it covered by insurance? I have to have a Lap Band!!!!!!!! Help me! Thank you! howies_chica19@yahoo.com

Whoa, slow down!! :D You have a lot of research to do before deciding whether this is for you. You just discovered it yesterday? Have you ever considered weight-loss surgery before that? I can understand your enthusiasm but this is a very big step and not one just to take lightly.

But to answer your questions, how you proceed depends on your situation. If you want insurance to cover it the usual place to start is with a physical at your primary care doctor. Make sure you get the diagnosis of Morbid Obesity into your record. Then see a bariatric surgeon who performs the surgery (visit www.inamed.com for names in your area). Whether you need a referral from your PCP or not depends on your insurance plan.

The surgeon will examine you and let you know what pre-op testing or procedures are necessary, and will make the request for precertification from your insurer. If all signals are go you'll be on your way.

If you're not going through insurance you just call an appropriate surgeon and make an appointment. Good luck!!

Brochelle~ Good luck on getting your band,but first you should do lots of research just like Alex said. This is one of the biggest desicions you could ever make in your life and you should be well informed before you make that desicion. There is lots of info here and also do a search on Lap Band to find more information. Best place I have found for suport is right here on LBT so come back and read lots of old and new posts and get ready to learn from lots of experience bandsters.

You might also call your Ins. Co. they should be able to tell you if the Lap Band is covered in your plan. Let us know what happens and again good luck.

Whoaaaaaaaaa nellie! Wow, the enthusiasm is great but most of us have spent MONTHS if not at least a year in research phase. I spent about 6 months just finding out everything I wanted to know, and some things I didn't want to know ha ha ha. Even when I decided to band I scheduled for 3 months later just to make sure (I now have a week left to wait and the time FLEW by!)
Good luck in your journey and your quest for knowledge, this is a GREAT place to start! The site that really has some good info and links for newbies is http://www.geocities.com/michellojac...WEET-SPOT.html check out all the links and stuff! Another good one is http://www.inamed.com/products/obesi...pband/faq.html A site that gives the entire surgery on video is http://www.obgyn.net/english/pubs/fe...urg/part-4.htm and yet another good one I went to was http://www.sbnsurg.com/lap_band_surgery.htm

The important thing to remember (and something I had to grasp within the first month of research) was that the band is NOT gastric bypass and is not a cure but a TOOL to help you keep the weight off that YOU lose by healthy eating, exercise and discipline.

GOOD LUCK!
Jenna

Where do you live???? if you are close to Portland there is an excellent Dr his name is Dr Hong..I had him as a dr.

Unfortunately, Cigna doesn't cover banding. If you qualify it will cover bypass. I was approved for bypass three years ago but my husband talked me out of it at the last minute. I'm now scheduled for the band on 4/8 but I have to self-pay because Cigna's rules changed and they wouldn't even cover the bypass.

Like everyone else said, you need to do tons of research and meet all kinds of qualifications. I'm having mine done by Dr. Jan at The Oregon Clinic and they make you jump through all kinds of hoops before they will even see you. This is frustrating but a really good thing so you make sure you are really committed. They hold seminars every month - you should start there.

Good luck