Introduction. Hi, I'm Callie

Hello. My name is Callie and I'm a 21 year old wife and mother of a 16 month old son. I have been overweight all my life, but it's not until after I had my son that my weight SHOT UP 75 pounds. I've been battling my weight all my life. I lost a lot when I went into high school, and felt great. But, when I was 14 I was sexually assalted and since then my weight I guess subconcously(sp??) was my wall to protect me. That was 7 years ago and that experience has made me who I am today and has made me stronger. Well, now I'm married to my high school sweetheart and have a wonderful son. I am very fortunate to have a family, a home, and a career. I have so much to look forward to but I'm just not happy with the way I look or feel. I don't feel like "me". Maddox (my son) is now walking and it exhausts me chasing him around. I want to get my life back! I decided to look into having surgery and it's been a rollercoaster ride so far. My insurance is through my company which is out of Salt Lake City and I have Regence BCBS, they have an exclusion and say "no way no how, we will not cover it). That just ****** me off that they can get away with not giving a potentially live saving procedure. I've applied for financing and have been denied. I pretty much lost hope. My husband just got a new job and they have BCBS of Georgia. Hopefully, they will cover it.....if anyone has any tips with dealing with them it would be greatly appreciated! By the way, my BMI is 41.5 and I have a looooooooong line of family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure, joint replacements, etc etc etc. Love to hear from some people!

Hi Callie, Welcome to the Ga Board. This is a great group of people here and they love to help. I just had my surgery on 12/17/04 after about a year of working on getting everthing ready for it. I have BCBS of Georgia and had to have my surgery before the end of 2004 or they would not pay for it, because my husband's work was not going to add that part of the corvage anymore. Anyway if you would like to talk please email me. Martha

congratulations how do you feel???? Hopefully mine will be soon.

Hi Callie, I have had a few problems and have been back in the hospital, but things are looking up. Thank you. Martha

Hi Callie, Welcome to the board. I have BCBS of georgia and here is my experience with them. Called BCBS in June 2004 and I was told my insurance does cover GBS but not the lapband. So I asked the rep to send me a certificate booklet so I could read it myself. Everyone is saying BCBS will stop covering WLS. Just ask when does your husband insurance start and the end date of the coverage so you will know what time frame you are working with. Every company carries different forms of BCBS. I collected ten years of medical documentation from 3 doctors that showed I had paid for supervised medical weight loss program. I typed up all otc diet pills and protein supplements that I tried. I had documentation to show that I had treatment of Varicose veins. I had 3 years of documentated medical weight loss from medical doctor. Health issues I had was osteoarthritis in both knees, swollen feet, and varicose veins. I have no diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apena, etc. I was also moribid obese. 7/14/04 Visited with my new PCP and got a referrel letter to the surgeon after sharing documenation with PCP. My letter was the 5th my PCP wrote that day. Everything seems like it went really Attended Dr. Rayland Scott's seminar in August and turned in required paper work. I was Pysch exam in September Nutritionist in September Joined required exercise program per Dr. Scott in September Saw Dr. Scott in October and receive surgery date for January 3, 2005 I called BCBS on December 15th and found out I was approved My approved letter was go for 90 days for having surgery. I had my surgery on Monday January 3rd and I'm doing great. Start by getting information on your husband's insurance company, collect your medically needed information, find a doctor, and attend a seminar. Time will pass really Best wishes, Tammie G. now a loser

Callie, DEFINITELY find out when your husband's company has it's insurance coverage renewed. For BCBS of GA, policies will have to choose to pay extra for Gastric Bypass Coverage or exclude it totally. My company renews in April, so I made it. My surgery was on 1/3/05 & I went through pretty much the same process as Tammie, but my Dr. wouldn't set a date without the approval. If the doctor you use is really on the ball, and you have until, say, May or June, you may make it in. Good luck to you! It is the best decision God has ever helped me make!! Amanda

Hi Callie, and welcome to the greatest group in the world. If it can be done, this group will do it. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for your new insurance to help you with this. If you need anything at all, just yell. Maybe you can come to the get-together next Saturday and meet a bunch of these great people. Hugs, Debra =^..^=

Hi Callie - Welcome! I also have BCBS of GA and for many groups they have stopped covering GBS effective whenever the new policy goes into effect, which will be different for every group. And for SOME groups, it will still be covered because the employer specifically negotiated to keep the coverage in (like my employer did, thankfully). I'd suggest (1) calling your husband's benefits department and asking when his policy was renewed, that is, when they signed a contract for their new coverage; (2) calling BCBS on their pre-certification line, asking for a Supervisor, and asking specifically what their criteria are for GBS (they gave me a list of things I needed to have/do); and (3) don't give up! I was initially told they would not cover the surgery after December, but that was wrong, which is why I suggest asking for a supervisor to be sure. Best of luck to you! Keep at it, and I'm sure you'll figure it all out. Where there's a will, there's a way. Blessings to you, Cheryl

Callie, Depending on the coverage of the certain policy, they are covering. But...you have to have medical necessity, and also you need to call and found out if they are covering. BCBS is not covering in 2005 except for companies who have anniversary dates later than 1/1/5. Mine is not renewed until August 1, so i am in the clear as along as i get it done before that date. Good Luck, D'Lynn

I have BCBS POS. After May 1st 2005 (when our plan renews) WLS will not be covered. I started this "venture" November 1st, was approved for surgery December 23rd and am having my surgery on February 2nd. BCBS does require the following: Letter of medical necessity/clearance from your PCP psych eval 6 months supervised weight loss attempt ****pt track of my WW online and had my PCP sign off on a year of supervision) Anything I can do to help, let me know. I am happy to share!