Seriously considering Lap-Band.. I Have ?'s

Before you start the program or pay any fees or anything like that, CALL UNITED HEALTHCARE! If they specifically EXCLUDE this procedure in your policy, there is NOTHING you can get the approval (besides changing insurance companies) I have united healthcare, and the only thing they reqired from me was a 5 yr weight history from my doctor (the office had to call 3 of my past drs to get this-they are on your side with this!!! They work hard for you!) BUT, make sure that you CERTIFIED MAIL any of your information to them (inculding the paperwork that is sent by your surgeon) Do not fax it to them. After REPEATED faxes, and 2 weeks of waiting, I called to check the status of my claim, and they said they "had not even received the paperwork." (this also happened to a few of my son's claims, so I know it was the ins company's fault, not the surgeon's office.) SO, It put the approval process back by almost 3 weeks. Then they took the FULL 30 days to request the 5 yr weight history, and 9 days after THAT, I was approved! (I faxed the first paper on May 8th, and didn't get my approval until June 29th. it didn't take a year, , but it was also not very quick!) (BTW-my BMI is over 50, so I'm sure that helped them not ask a bunch of other questions) If you haven't started any part of the process, I'm sure you will have to go to a seminar or a consultation--take any questions with you. On your first actual visit, depending on your doctor, they will weight you (duh) check your blood pressure and your sugar level, and also take your BEFORE pics (i didn't know this and was NOT dressed very nice! Oh well, you always wanna look ugly in the BEFORE pic!) I haven't HAD my actual surgery yet (13 days to go!!) but I've been through the whole process so far! I'd be glad to answer any of your questions! And soon I'll be able to tell you all about the surgery too!

Thanks so much for your reply! Lots of good info there. Im glad to see you have United Healthcare, it kinda gives me some hope. I am alittle worried about the 5 yr weight history. Not that I was skinny in the last 5 years! But I didn't go to the dr much, maybe 3 times!??? I'm pretty healthy for my weight which also worries me. Boy does that sound crazy? haha..but I have a BMI of 48 so I am definately a candidate when it comes to my size. Do they LIKE to see someone with health issues?? I don't even have diabetes or anything! I don't know why I don't and I know my luck will run out one day. It will catch up with me. Where are you from and which dr. did you choose? I'm going to have alot of questions for you so I hope you don't mind :) Today I actually made my first tiny baby step. May not sound like much but it took alot for me. I haven't even mentioned this to my fiance due to concern of his reaction. I was afraid he would totally think I was crazy. He seemed more excited than me! And already asked me to set up my first appt., offered to go w/ me and everything! So now I am really excited and nervous. I don't know who to choose! I'm in Fort Worth so I don't mind doing alittle driving around. I hear Dr. Wade Barker is good. But I'm sure there are alot of good ones. What do you think? Sorry this was so long :) And good luck to you with your upcoming surgery!!! How exciting!!!!!!

I had a little problem with the five year weight history also. If it weren't for me getting pregnant, I would not have made it (my son is almost one yr old!) I didn't go to the dr much either, as, like you, I don't have ANY current heath concerns. If it wasn't for my yearly ob/gyn check up, I wouldn't have made the 5 yr history either. Your story sounds so much like mine, cuz I'm also worried that my good "luck" health will run out soon, the longer I stay heavy. My BMI is 52.1, and I didn't have any problems getting approved the first try, with NO medical conditions. I live in KY (pretty far from texas!!) , and my dr is Dr Sonnenstien (sp?) at Tristate Surgical Weightloss Center. I love him and his whole office. Call one of your local weight loss centers or bariatric centers and find out the insurance code for Lap-Band surgery. Then call UHC and ask them if that surgery is SPECIFICALLY excluded. If it ISN'T you will have some wiggle room, even if they deny you at first. If it IS, then there's nothing you can do. That would suck. Then, after that, you will have to have a psychiatric evaluation before you can submit the pre-approval claim to the ins. co. That is the first step (my surgeon required a few other things before the psych consult, but not all dr's do) I started the whold process in JANUARY, and it's taken this long to finally get this far, so prepare yourself for a long road ahead. Also, my dr (nor my insur. comp.) did not require any pre-op weight loss, although MANY do, so that is something to think about. I am MORE than happy to answer ANY questions you may have. I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have without the support and advice of all the people on this site! They're all wonderful!