frustrated

can anyone help me. i had LAP-BAND® surgery in august, during the surgery my heartrate dropped and the anesthesiologist stopped the surgery. I had 2 incisions and the procedure was started but stopped there. My insurance is Aetna POS and I am wondering if they would pay for the surgery to be finished even though they paid out the benefits to the surgeon, hospital, and anesthesiologist! My surgeon's office has never had this situation and I have been cleared by a cardiologist and he assures me he will resubmit but I am wondering what my chances might be. I am bitterly disappointed! Help!

What caused your heart rate to drop, do you know?

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PCM 7/3/08 Seminar 7/10/08
Upper Gi, Psych,Nutrition, Surgeon 7/25
Tricare Approved 7/31
1st surgery 8/11 thick liver no band
Banded 8/29/08!!! BY:
Dr. Sonny Cavazos, Texas Bariatric

Thread Starter

they think it was the vasodilation or tilting of table, and surgeon had no control over the anesthesiologist stopping surgery.

well for whatever reason, if it was dropping they NEEDED to stop so that's a good thing. I can tell you that my surgery had to happen twice; the first time my liver was still too fatty. And my insurance (tricare standard) covered both. Aetna should pay for the second surgery; they approved it before and if you are cleared now, I can't imagine why they would say no. They can't have expected the team to risk your life by proceeding!

__________________

PCM 7/3/08 Seminar 7/10/08
Upper Gi, Psych,Nutrition, Surgeon 7/25
Tricare Approved 7/31
1st surgery 8/11 thick liver no band
Banded 8/29/08!!! BY:
Dr. Sonny Cavazos, Texas Bariatric

Thread Starter

thanks so much for the encouragement, I really appreciate it. I wish I had your insurance! I will hopefully know by next month. My surgeon's office says that this has never happened to them before and they just don't know how Aetna will react. Logically, I would think that they would let me try again, but with insurance you just never know.

True! Insurance is a weird animal. Good luck...I hope they reapprove you!

__________________

PCM 7/3/08 Seminar 7/10/08
Upper Gi, Psych,Nutrition, Surgeon 7/25
Tricare Approved 7/31
1st surgery 8/11 thick liver no band
Banded 8/29/08!!! BY:
Dr. Sonny Cavazos, Texas Bariatric

I am proud that your anesthesiologist was more interested in your life and when he saw a red flag stopped the procedure. I hope all of you get a second change to get the help that you need.

I agree, better they stop the surgery to make sure you are OK. I believe your ins. will pay because it was no fault of yours it had to be stopped. Good luck. Maggie

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Pre-op wgt. 258
Goal wgt. 150

Surgery 10/29/08

Pre-op 8lbs lost=250
01/01/09---------233lbs.