Whose from the Cary or Raleigh Area

I am from the Raleigh area. Dr Moran is my surgeon and I'm in the final stages of pre-op. BCBS of Mass insur. Psych consult on Tues..then off to insurance it goes!!! I'm a lap-Band Patient =0)

Hi Barb. I didn't realize you were so close to approval. Good luck! I have done all except stress test, psych. approval, and 2 more mos. of pcp weight loss. My psychologist is against the surgery. I am giving him one more chance and asking him for an approval letter. I know he's concerned but he has no idea about WLS and he keeps asking me what about this tool is different that I will not regain? ANYWHO... It will be fun to keep in touch with everyones progress. Jennifer

I live in Cary and I had WLS in January of 2006. Dr. Kenneth Mitchell is my surgeon and he is wonderful! I have lost 168 pounds and I feel great...I try to go to the support groups that meet in Raleigh but haven't been to as many as I would like! Good luck to all those getting ready for surgery.

Hi Everyone! I am new and I live in Cary! I am going through the Duke WLS Program. I am in the stage now where i have to go through a lot of hoops to get my paperwork in from all my doctors. I have a sleep study next week. My first actual appt. is May 21st! I am very excited, nervous...the whole nine yards!. I was looking into Lap Band, but, am not sure of it after I went to my seminar. I just am concerned about the long term studies...there are none. But, the doctor said for us to keep our minds open and together we will decide which is best for me. Do any of you worry about getting approved through insurance? I technically meet all the guidelines and all of that. But, you never really know until they submit the paper work. Hope to meet everyone sometime!! Caroline

Caroline - I'm also going through DukeWLS and I think that we all worry about being approved. Each policy has it's own qwerks. Some sail through with out a problem, while others are required to prove that this is necessary and yes we really have tried everything else. I have all of my information in, with the exception of a letter from one of my other MD's that treats me for another condition that might be impacted by WLS, positively we think. Then it has to go through the DukeWLS surgical review. Once that happens and your package is put together and submitted for ins. authorization/approval. Feel free to contact me anytime. I'm in the NW Raleigh area, near RTP. Regards, Barb P.S. There is a support group, mainly DukeWLS patients that meets monthly at the Perkins restaurant. I'll be glad to forward you info on that if you'd like to attend.