tuesday

 

I went with RNY because it's what my doctor recommended for me. She told me most people only lose and keep off about 50 pounds with the lap band. I wanted to lose more than that. So I don't know about getting ins coverage for the lap band. One thing I wanted to mention was that you might want to ask how many lap band surgeries Dr. Gomez has done. I went for a consult at IU last August, and it didn't sound like he'd done many of those. Just a thought. I wanted a surgeon with a good deal of experience. Linda Vicory

Your best bet is just to ask the Human Resource Director of any job your are interested in if they would let you have the customer number for the insurance so that you can ask question about policy coverage and then ask the insurance company themselves. I didn't have any trouble getting my band covered, however I have Medicare/Medicaid. There is a lot of information on the lapband forum here on OH.com that will be able to help you with questions you might have. Also, take your time finding a Banding Surgeon. I took two (2) years (well just about two years) and many consults before I felt I found the right surgeon in Dr Clark. Reading the lapband forum will give you a clue as into what to look for in a good surgeon and questions to ask your banding surgeon. Also there is a regular banding surgeon (Dr Curry, from Ohio) that takes the time to answer questions on OH.com's banding message board whenever he has time. My starting weight was 317 lbs when I started the process for insurance approval and surgery date. When I had surgery about a year and a half later I weighed 267 lbs. My lowest weight to date is 148 lbs. Take your time and read and ask lots and lots of questions to yourself, other banders, and any surgeon you might be insterested in. Good Luck!! Jodi