Comments for Love My Lap Band! http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com Everything you want to know about life and weight loss with a Lap Band! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:43:07 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by That Fat Chick http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-888 That Fat Chick Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:43:07 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-888 My story is two weeks shy of taking an exciting turn! My surgery date is November 18th, 2009. *However*, I'll be having gastric bypass, not the band as I originally planned on. My story is two weeks shy of taking an exciting turn! My surgery date is November 18th, 2009. *However*, I’ll be having gastric bypass, not the band as I originally planned on.

]]> Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by Leticia http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-882 Leticia Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:39:29 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-882 Who do you work for? Who do you work for?

]]> Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by lynette http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-881 lynette Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:00:57 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-881 Anyone have a doctor in the Atlanta, GA area they would suggest? thanks!!! Anyone have a doctor in the Atlanta, GA area they would suggest?
thanks!!!

]]> Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by Lori http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-879 Lori Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:20:34 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-879 Insurance companies will try and delay hoping that you switch companies or change your mind. So, they may very well put demands on you to attempt weight loss first without surgery. You may just have to go along with that but it's unlikely that they'll put you off for the full 24 months. A lot of people - health professionals, in particular - elect to go to Mexico rather than wait for surgery. If they deny your claim based on a lack of diet history, get started on the diet and ask your doctor to contact Allergan (the manufacturer) for their assistance in appealing the denial. Walter Lindstrom, of <a href="http://www.obesitylaw.com" rel="nofollow">Obesity Law</a>, has teamed up with Allergan to help patients appeal. If that fails, and you don't want to wait, think about Mexico with its world class facilities and their doctors who have been doing Lap Bands longer than anyone in the US. <a href="http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com" rel="nofollow">Dr. Ariel Ortiz</a> did my surgery and his place and staff are fabulously professional and everyone speaks English. Physicians from all over the US come to Ortiz because he's one of the guys that Allergan has train doctors on the procedure. You couldn't be in safer hands. And it will only cost $8k. Good luck. This procedure has changed my life. I hope you get it sooner rather than later. But later is definitely better than never. It took me two years to be able to have the surgery and I'm just glad I got it. It was worth the wait. Insurance companies will try and delay hoping that you switch companies or change your mind. So, they may very well put demands on you to attempt weight loss first without surgery. You may just have to go along with that but it’s unlikely that they’ll put you off for the full 24 months. A lot of people – health professionals, in particular – elect to go to Mexico rather than wait for surgery. If they deny your claim based on a lack of diet history, get started on the diet and ask your doctor to contact Allergan (the manufacturer) for their assistance in appealing the denial. Walter Lindstrom, of Obesity Law, has teamed up with Allergan to help patients appeal. If that fails, and you don’t want to wait, think about Mexico with its world class facilities and their doctors who have been doing Lap Bands longer than anyone in the US. Dr. Ariel Ortiz did my surgery and his place and staff are fabulously professional and everyone speaks English. Physicians from all over the US come to Ortiz because he’s one of the guys that Allergan has train doctors on the procedure. You couldn’t be in safer hands. And it will only cost $8k.

Good luck. This procedure has changed my life. I hope you get it sooner rather than later. But later is definitely better than never. It took me two years to be able to have the surgery and I’m just glad I got it. It was worth the wait.

]]> Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by Jessica http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-878 Jessica Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:28:47 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-878 Hello. I am just starting the process of hopefully getting the LBS. My doctor faxed a referral to the local surgeon on Friday, the Surgeons office called me today to get a spot reserved at a seminar. I called my insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (I work in Indiana, live in Ohio)they said that my company does NOT exclude the surgery (YAY!) but I have to fit all kinds of criteria. The rep from BCBS is going to mail me the list but I tried to jot it down as she spoke. One thing that troubled me is that she said was they need 24 months of diet history with results. Does that mean they need doctors records for the past 2 years? I went to my doctor about a year ago to start a weight loss plan where they took my weight and everything but, unfortunately, I never followed up. I was hoping they just wanted a record of what I've done in the past 24 months to try to lose weight but that seems a little too good to be true. Any advise? Hello. I am just starting the process of hopefully getting the LBS. My doctor faxed a referral to the local surgeon on Friday, the Surgeons office called me today to get a spot reserved at a seminar. I called my insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (I work in Indiana, live in Ohio)they said that my company does NOT exclude the surgery (YAY!) but I have to fit all kinds of criteria. The rep from BCBS is going to mail me the list but I tried to jot it down as she spoke. One thing that troubled me is that she said was they need 24 months of diet history with results. Does that mean they need doctors records for the past 2 years? I went to my doctor about a year ago to start a weight loss plan where they took my weight and everything but, unfortunately, I never followed up. I was hoping they just wanted a record of what I’ve done in the past 24 months to try to lose weight but that seems a little too good to be true. Any advise?

]]> Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by Lori http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-877 Lori Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:51:53 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-877 Dear Roman, I think you stand a very good chance of getting the surgery approved. In your case, they may well want to guide you towards a gastric bypass, but make your own decisions about that. The GP is more profitable for them and riskier for you. If they fail to approve you, click the link on the right hand side of my page about insurance denials. There is a law firm in California that specializes in contesting insurance denials of claim for weight loss surgery and they work with Allergan, the makers of the Lap Band, to help patients fight for the procedure. Check out http://www.obesitylaw.com to see the law firm. Best of luck. Drop back in and let us know how it goes. And if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. Dear Roman,

I think you stand a very good chance of getting the surgery approved. In your case, they may well want to guide you towards a gastric bypass, but make your own decisions about that. The GP is more profitable for them and riskier for you. If they fail to approve you, click the link on the right hand side of my page about insurance denials. There is a law firm in California that specializes in contesting insurance denials of claim for weight loss surgery and they work with Allergan, the makers of the Lap Band, to help patients fight for the procedure. Check out http://www.obesitylaw.com to see the law firm.

Best of luck. Drop back in and let us know how it goes. And if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

]]> Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by Roman http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-876 Roman Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:57:47 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-876 Hi I was wondering if Anthem Blue Cross HMO covers lap band, I am 27 with Diabetes since i was 7 yrs old, high blood pressure, asthma, and high cholesterol, and had a heart attack at 24 do you think they will deny me?? Please reply back..This is the only hope I have to loose weight.. Hi I was wondering if Anthem Blue Cross HMO covers lap band, I am 27 with Diabetes since i was 7 yrs old, high blood pressure, asthma, and high cholesterol, and had a heart attack at 24 do you think they will deny me?? Please reply back..This is the only hope I have to loose weight..

]]> Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by Melissa Harris http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-875 Melissa Harris Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:22:09 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-875 I work for the state of GA and have UHC PPO, the insurance company states they won't cover lapband surgery or any other weight loss surgery. Anyone else have this coverage and fought the insuance company. BMI is 53. I work for the state of GA and have UHC PPO, the insurance company states they won’t cover lapband surgery or any other weight loss surgery. Anyone else have this coverage and fought the insuance company. BMI is 53.

]]> Comment on Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield Covers Lap Band Surgery by Kirsten http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/yes-blue-cross-blue-shield-covers-lap-band-surgery/#comment-874 Kirsten Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:47:48 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=45#comment-874 have u heard anything back from the insurance company? do you have federal blue cross blue shield? i have bmi 36 with high blood pressure, gerd, depression and am waiting sleep apnea visit. good luck have u heard anything back from the insurance company? do you have federal blue cross blue shield? i have bmi 36 with high blood pressure, gerd, depression and am waiting sleep apnea visit. good luck

]]> Comment on Insurance Denials for Lap Band Surgery by Lori http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/insurance-denials-for-lap-band-surgery/#comment-873 Lori Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:53:14 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-873 Steve, Allergan, who manufactures the Lap Band, will help you appeal the decision. On the right side of the page, I have a link about insurance denials of claim. Click on that. Your doctor can get help from Walter Lindstrom's Obesity Law Center - a firm which specializes in appealing insurance denials. Here's Walter's site: http://www.obesitylaw.com Failing that, think about going to Mexico. I had my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana and he's wonderful. Allergan has him train US surgeons because he was one of the first surgeons doing Lap Bands. he's brilliant, caring and his facility is state of the art and sparkling clean. It'll only run you $8k in Mexico. It took me two years to get it done. You can do this. Write back if you have any other questions. Steve,
Allergan, who manufactures the Lap Band, will help you appeal the decision. On the right side of the page, I have a link about insurance denials of claim. Click on that. Your doctor can get help from Walter Lindstrom’s Obesity Law Center – a firm which specializes in appealing insurance denials. Here’s Walter’s site:
http://www.obesitylaw.com

Failing that, think about going to Mexico. I had my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana and he’s wonderful. Allergan has him train US surgeons because he was one of the first surgeons doing Lap Bands. he’s brilliant, caring and his facility is state of the art and sparkling clean. It’ll only run you $8k in Mexico. It took me two years to get it done. You can do this. Write back if you have any other questions.

]]> Comment on Insurance Denials for Lap Band Surgery by Steve langston http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/insurance-denials-for-lap-band-surgery/#comment-872 Steve langston Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:56:28 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=117#comment-872 My wifes insurance covers bariatric surgery. Av-Med that's great. But her company AT&T declined to include this service. I am a candidate for this surgery, but due to AT&T's decline to include I will die a sick, heavy man who won't see his 16 month olds middle school graduation let alone play on the floor with her now. how in the he'll can I get AT&T to reverse this dessision. I am in dyer need of help please. My wifes insurance covers bariatric surgery. Av-Med that’s great.
But her company AT&T declined to include this service. I am a candidate for this surgery, but due to AT&T’s decline to include I will die a sick, heavy man who won’t see his 16 month olds middle school graduation let alone play on the floor with her now.
how in the he’ll can I get AT&T to reverse this dessision.
I am in dyer need of help please.

]]> Comment on Day 5 Post Op. Still Not Hungry. by John http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/day-5-post-op-still-not-hungry/#comment-871 John Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:38:28 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=375#comment-871 Actual I believe my insurance will cover it, they said it is covered if my primary care and surgeon Ok me. They are at least covering my initial consult with my primary care Dr and the surgeon. I believe they will based on my BMI, medical history (already had my Gallbladder out and I'm only 31!), and a family history of diabetes. I still haven't made my mind up as I'm in the info gathering stages now. But I'm leaning that way heavily...no pun intended. Actual I believe my insurance will cover it, they said it is covered if my primary care and surgeon Ok me. They are at least covering my initial consult with my primary care Dr and the surgeon. I believe they will based on my BMI, medical history (already had my Gallbladder out and I’m only 31!), and a family history of diabetes. I still haven’t made my mind up as I’m in the info gathering stages now. But I’m leaning that way heavily…no pun intended.

]]> Comment on Holy Family Hospital In Spokane, Washington Doing Lap Band Surgery by Lori http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/holy-family-hospital-in-spokane-washington-doing-lap-band-surgery/#comment-870 Lori Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:52:58 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=101#comment-870 Roberta, Here in the US, it normally costs between $18k and $25k. Holy Family has an entire bariatrics division. Their number is 252-6311. Give them a call and talk to them about it. Here's their webpage - http://www.holy-family.org/Services/bariatric.asp Most health insurance policies cover it one or the other - although they may make some demands on your first. And if it's too expensive, go to Mexico where it will cost $8k start to finish. Dr. Ortiz has been doing Lap bands longer than anyone in the US and his facility is world class with a wonderful staff. Allergan, the manufacturer of the Lap Band, uses him to train US doctors on how to do the procedure. So, what do you want? The student or the teacher? :) Here's his website: http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com Roberta,

Here in the US, it normally costs between $18k and $25k. Holy Family has an entire bariatrics division. Their number is 252-6311. Give them a call and talk to them about it. Here’s their webpage – http://www.holy-family.org/Services/bariatric.asp
Most health insurance policies cover it one or the other – although they may make some demands on your first.

And if it’s too expensive, go to Mexico where it will cost $8k start to finish. Dr. Ortiz has been doing Lap bands longer than anyone in the US and his facility is world class with a wonderful staff. Allergan, the manufacturer of the Lap Band, uses him to train US doctors on how to do the procedure. So, what do you want? The student or the teacher? :) Here’s his website:
http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com

]]> Comment on Holy Family Hospital In Spokane, Washington Doing Lap Band Surgery by Roberta Toansket http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/holy-family-hospital-in-spokane-washington-doing-lap-band-surgery/#comment-869 Roberta Toansket Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:32:04 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=101#comment-869 How much does it cost to have this proceure done How much does it cost to have this proceure done

]]> Comment on Day 5 Post Op. Still Not Hungry. by Lori http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/day-5-post-op-still-not-hungry/#comment-868 Lori Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:02:45 +0000 http://lovemylapband.wordpress.com/?p=375#comment-868 John, I'm doing a blog post later today, but in short, I'm almost three weeks post op and have yet to experience any hunger. I've been living on liquids and a glass of broth fills me up. In addition to that, I've been walking some long distances - 3 to 5 miles - and it's rapidly becoming effortless. One of the things I heard over and over again was that once I had surgery, my hunger would simply go away. That's what happened. I know a lot of people who simply haven't experienced hunger since they had their lap band. It's wonderful. This Thursday will be the three week anniversary of my surgery and I plan on having a taco from the stand around the corner. But other than that, I'm going to keep up with the very low calorie regime that I've been on. I'm a very happy girl. Is your insurance covering your surgery? John,

I’m doing a blog post later today, but in short, I’m almost three weeks post op and have yet to experience any hunger. I’ve been living on liquids and a glass of broth fills me up. In addition to that, I’ve been walking some long distances – 3 to 5 miles – and it’s rapidly becoming effortless. One of the things I heard over and over again was that once I had surgery, my hunger would simply go away. That’s what happened. I know a lot of people who simply haven’t experienced hunger since they had their lap band. It’s wonderful.

This Thursday will be the three week anniversary of my surgery and I plan on having a taco from the stand around the corner. But other than that, I’m going to keep up with the very low calorie regime that I’ve been on. I’m a very happy girl.

Is your insurance covering your surgery?

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