Phetermine Now or LAP-BAND® Later? Alabama Here

lilacbeauti58 · 01-31-2008, 05:51 PM

Hey everybody out there! I am a 22-year old female from B'ham, AL. I currently weigh 225lbs, standing at 5'2ft, and have a BMI of 40.

I recently went to a Dr. for a weight loss program and she prescribed me Phetermine 37.5, however it has been a month and I have not lost any weight. Not to mention I have been having terrible side effects (acid reflux, migranes, moody). Ugh! I am still waiting on my lab results for my bloodwork. Anyway, I started to wonder about the LAP-BAND® surgery. I will formally begin my research when I attend a seminar 2/16/08. I have read alot of post about the BCBS of AL and requirements, but I still have more questions, if anybody can help how would these situtation help or hinder me.....

--I started working with my company(over 20,000 employees) Nov 2007 and my BCBS(Advantage) began coverage Dec 1 07.

--Before then I did not have any insurance, I was a student, and when ever I needed help I just went to the emergency room. Could I get my weight from my visits there?

--Does this weight loss program count toward 6 months?

I appreciate any help or advice...Thanks guys!
lilacbeauti58@yahoo.com

heather113076 · 02-01-2008, 09:32 AM

lilacbeauti58- you can get the records from the ER and use those weights. You will need one weight from 2007, 2006 and 2005. I don't think that the dr prescribing you Phentermine 37.5 will count towards the 6 month diet. I was told it has to be a diet like XX amount of calories per day. I am using weight watchers and am 3 months into the 6 months. I hope to be banded by July. June would be better but as long as it is done by July I will be happy. You also need to check your policy to see if they have a pre-existing condition clause since you haven't had insurance for the prior year. Where are you attending your seminar? I attended the seminar at St. Vincent's East(formerly MCE) on Nov 17, 2007. I had my initial consult with Dr. Miles on Jan 17. I hope this info helps you.

renewedhope · 02-01-2008, 10:53 AM

Each Insurance company is different. Call yours and ask what the requirements are. I did a 5 month program over the phone where a diatician called me every 2 weeks to talk about weight loss, my struggles, etc. This counted as my 6 months as well as my diatary consult. I am a nurse and used to manage a physicians office. We would have patients come in once a month wi9th a dx of obesity. This satisfies some insurance companies. The requirements vary so much from company to company. Call and find out before you do something that may not be required. Best of luck to you!!

TulipStar · 02-01-2008, 12:42 PM

Call you insurance for the specifics. Yes, I think ER weight records will work. I also think that the phentermine diet will work for you. Usually the Dr puts you on some kind of diet (like eliminate carbs, etc.) and since it is Dr. supervised, it should count.

I took phen years ago and successfully lose 110lbs, but then I gained it back after I built up a tolerance to it.

Good luck!

ugagirl · 02-01-2008, 01:30 PM

I started on Phentermine last April and lost 60 lbs. As soon as I started taking it, it worked for me. I lost cravings for sweet things, bad foods, etc...I guess it just depends on each individual.

After being on it 6 months, my doctor and I discussed my long term goals and plans on keeping the weight off and that is when she suggested the lap-band®. Best of luck on your journey. I got banded yesterday.