Mark ~ My husband works for Via Christi Hospital based in Wichita. The insurance company is a Kansas insurance company Preferred Health of Kansas and they WILL pay for it if I do the requirements. I am more then half way there. I have followed all the rules so far and I have 2 more pre-op classes to go through then I get a date to schedule my surgery. It is possible to have an insurance company in Kansas to pay for this surgery. However what I find it the company I work for has the same insurance company but my company has an exclusion in the plan about any type of weight loss. I don't really think it is the insurance companies that are the main problem. The problem comes from companies that put exclusions in their policies. Most all companies have some form of exclusion or another. Spirit Areosystems has the same insurance that I have but through a different company. Spirit has no exclusions for this surgery as well, you just have to meet requirements. There are two really good surgerons in Wichita that are working every day to fight insurance companies because they feel that the benefit of the surgery out weighs the out come of not having the surgery. We need to have companies push for no exclusions to wieght loss diets or surgery. So many people can have birth control or something for penile dysfunction, smoking, drugs, drinking but hardly anyone will help with weight loss. We can go without sex (not really), smoking, drinking, drugs and all of those things but you CAN'T live WITHOUT FOOD. To many companies don't want to face the facts that food is a problem in life that you CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT! (sorry for the vent).

Well this is the end of day 8 and I am pleasantly surprised that I am not starving, the protein has really filled me up so that I am not hungry. Today has gone by fast I have been keeping busy, I pray tomorrow and Monday go just as fast. I am ready to get this show on the road and be on the loosers bench. Steph

1. I'm Erin New deom KC, KS And I am pre-op to RNY don't have a date yet! Grrr I will be having surgery in Columbia MO at Mizzu! MO University Hospital through Missouri Bariatric Services. Boo to Mizzu go KU! I will be going there because they are the closest place that my insurance will cover the surgery at. I'm a snacker!

Hi Julie, I saw your post. I am in Topeka and I don't have insurance either. I have my doctorate student loans...so I totally understand about the loan thing. I have been turned down for financing repeatedly because the income to debt ratio is outrageous....so......I applied at mylapbandsurgery.com and i got financed for 4000. Not too bad, I have to come up with 3500 to get the rest....Yes, I am going to Mexico. I am a physician myself and have done my research and that is where I am going. I found a place 5 minutes from my work...TallGrass who take mexican bandsters and they will do my fills. I am so lucky that way. If you haven't found out about anything else since this post, mybe you can check it out. Tell Carolyn you heard about the site from me...just say Dr. Liz....she should know who I am.....Anyways, good lluck in your search......wrtie me back if you want. Liz

The cost of the lap band and 2 years of fills and follow-ups in Topeka through Tallgrass Bariatric is just under 13,000. I would check into that so you don't have to drive so far. Twyla