Hello!

It all depends on you, to what the answer will be.

What your life style is.
What kind of changes you are welling to make in your life.
How invasive of a surgery you are comfortable having.
How much weight you have to lose.
Your personality etc... 

I would read read read and read some more about your options. Check out the RNY board and the Lap Band board to read what others are saying about the choices they have made. 

Hope that helps!

Good luck to you!
*huggles*
=0)

That was what I was told, was that there would be no approvals before the full 6 months of Why Weight were completed.  I had also been on Why Weight prior to January 1st, but they wouldn't count the prior time.  I definately felt that I had to do a lot of legwork and follow up to ensure everything was in place for approval.  It is good you're making phone calls and checking with your normal Dr. and the Bariatric's office.  You already know you've met the Why Weight guidelines.  Does your Health Coach offer any support?  Are you pretty confident you've met the 2 co-morbidities? Is your primary physician on board with your decision? I actually did not have the blessing of my general Dr., but I told him this is what I wanted and was planning on doing.  I told him that if he didn't want to support / help me in my quest for bariatric authorization,  that I would go elsewhere, and that he needed to let me know at that time.  I had quite a few appt.'s in the past that I had brought up my weight struggles.  Aside from needing to "follow up", they've been on board with what I've needed. I am wondering if it makes a difference that some of us had tentative surgery dates already in place, and that's why we got our approvals?  That was one of the issues that I had, when my surgery date was scheduled at the end of June, and they said it was too early to be approved.  I had to scramble and get the Dr.'s office to bump me a couple of weeks into July.  I was fortunate to "trade" surgery dates, otherwise I would've been looking into August.  And while I didn't see the Why Weight program as being very beneficial to me, my Health Coach did refer my approval concerns (because I kept bugging him) and that's when I spoke with Jackie and found out I needed to change my original date.  And maybe they're approving people according to their surgery dates?  I don't know.  But I imagine there may be a lot of us State workers out there that have been waiting a long time for this benefit.  And I wanted to be at the head of the line! Keep in contact with all these sources and ask them if there's anything else on your end you can do to help the process.  If you're sure you've met all the guidelines, there really shouldn't be any reason for denial.

I'm going to have the Lap band I think, I just don't know what to do. I don't know whats better the surgery or the Lap band, will someone please help me. Bobbie

Hi Tyna,

I thought I would help answer some of your questions real quick as I am at work.  Insurance approval took several weeks.  I had to have a letter from my primary care physician recommending me for surgery, a five year history of obesity, several documented formal attempts at weight loss through a monitored program, a psychological exam and I think that is about it.  Since my BMI was 38 I had to have documented comorbidities (that would get better with weight loss).  My insurance was Associated Employers administered by EBMS.  Every company is different. As far as the liquid diet, the first two days were hard but after that it wasn't too bad.  Cooking dinner for my family was hard and I admit I had a few bites of solid food at dinner the night before surgery.  My recovery was quick.  I had surgery on Thursday, took Friday off and was back at work Monday.  A little tender around my tummy but otherwise fine.  The worst pain after surgery was the pain from the gas in my left shoulder.  It lasted about a week but was only bad for a few days.

Who is doing your surgery?  I had Dr. Amy Martin in Great Falls and she is great.  One of the best MDs I have ever met and I have worked in the medical field for over 20 years. I hope this information helps.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  Hopefully I can get to the meeting next week. Vinca

I thought it would be fun to share what surgery we are having, what doctor and when.  We could also put where we work, if you want, maybe we would find out some of us are close enough to each other to start a support group or something !?!  I also think it would be a great way to help each other through the hoops!  okay, I'll start.  I work for DOR in Madison County.  I will be having LAP RNY with Dr. Martin, most likely, and I don't know when yet, I am waiting for approval !!  I say most likely cuz i'm finding out that Dr. Rohrer is getting alot of approvals and Dr.Martin's office is less experienced than Lisa, but I would have to pay for a consult again, although, it may be worth it.  I am going to hold out a little longer, heck, maybe it's me and not the doctors office at all !!