Getting the Run-A-Round

Hi Everyone, I attended a seminar of Dr. Woodson (Memphis) and made an appointment for a consulatation. Called his office a few days before the appointment only to be told that BC/BS of AL will not pay for the Lap-Band. I dont have any bariatric exclusions or pre-exisitng issues, but as general policy, Dr. Woodson's office said BC/BS AL will only pay for GB. Cancelled the appointment with them and tried to go through Voc. Rehab but they have a 2 year wait... After much research, I had already decided that I am not ready to pursue GB at this time. I had a talk with my PCP and she said "You know, your surgeon should be willing to work to help you get that approval." She recommended another surgeon who is local, Dr. King with the Liv-Lite program in Oxford. I contacted the Liv-Lite program, and they got my insurance information and said they would call me back in a few days. Got a call a few minutes ago from Liv-Lite, and they told me that they had talked with my insurance and I seemed like a good candidate. I asked "But will they pay for the Lap-Band?" and she told me that they would!!! So who do I believe? The Liv-Lite staff has been excellent and I am so excited to hear encouraging words. However, I am so afraid of getting my hopes up for nothing. Does anyone out there have BC/BS of AL (which we have through my husband's employer, BellSouth) and/or have any of y'all used the Liv-Lite program? Thanks everyone for allowing me to vent! -Amy

Forgot to tell y'all...in the meantime my family doctor put me on Adipex-P and a low dose of Altace for blood pressure. Said she feels better if I take the Altace since the Adipex has a tendency to run BP up. The Altace has me peeing every 5 minutes and the Adipex make me feel a little like this: I love my doc so much that I would jump off a bridge if she told me to- which is why I am giving the Adipex a try. I took it before in '99 and lost 40lbs in a month. I stopped taking it after I developed a huge case of gallstones. Next thing you know, here I am 5 years later with the 40 lbs I lost plus another 25...I'm sure y'all know the drill. I'll let y'all know if I have any luck. -Amy

Hey Amy! Man, isn't insurance the pits??? About Dr. King and Liv-lite at Oxford, we had a perfectly wonderful resident angel, Dex, who had surgery there and knows all there is to know about everything up there! He works at Ole Miss so he may not know anything about your insurance. From what I have heard, I would take Dr. King's office at their word. I have NEVER heard anything bad about them. Maybe, you could post on the AL board about your insurance. Surely, someone there will have it. You gotta know, tho, that getting the run-around is pretty much standard fare on your way to WLS!!! Keep us posted and keep talking to us! Smooch, Arlies

Thanks, Arlies...I'm supposed to speak with the Oxford Liv-Lite director today and I will keep y'all posted. I may need to speak to Dex. Hopefully the LL lady will tell me what I want to hear and we can get this ball rolling! -Amy

Arlies, You get me more gigs than my Agent in NY. Thanks for putting her in touch with me. I hope I can be of help. Best Wishes- Dx

Hey Amy, Do you need a local Angel? I had my surgery done by Dr. Byars, King's partner, and both of them go to my church. It would be easy for me to check in on you and pass on any info you might need. I only got your e-mail a few moment's ago. Sorry to be so slow to reply. Then I dropped in out here and saw the good news. Congratulations! Keep us posted and let me know if I should get out my halo. Best Wishes- Dx

Hi Amy! I have BC/BS (Empire Blue) but out of NY. They paid for my surgery (Lap RNY 9/7/04). I had approval in about 2 or 3 days, pending a psych eval. I am using the Live Lite program but out of Biloxi and it is great! I've had no complications and am eating real food (at 1 week post-op I was able to begin eating solids). At my 2 week post-op, I lost 24 pounds! Good luck to you and keep in touch. Cheri