The Good News and Bad News

First the good new is I have choose St. Vincent Charity Hospitals in Cleveland. I went to the free informational seminar on the 5th. They called me today with the info that I should have LAP/RYN and that my insurance covers it at 90% which is only like $1000 out of pocket. My first consult is not till May...now the bad news...I have to be on one of those 6 months medically supervised diet programs at least one year prior to surgery. So the estimates is I probably won't have surgery until mid fall. UGH!!!! But I going to go for it and try to be great full I have insurance. Tina

HI Tina, Yes, I know it seems like FOREVER when waiting on all the prerequesies that are needed by the insurance for WLS. From the day of going to my seminar @ St. V's to my time of surgery was almost 2 years. I had my surgery this past Sept. with Dr. Ben-Meir and am so happy I did. It was worth the wait...down 90 pounds so far! Yea! Wishing you luck on your journey and you picked an excellent surgeon and hospital! Michelle

Hi Tina, I was wondering what was going on. Sorry to hear that it will take longer but you have a great attitude. Hang in there and keep us posted. Debbie

Just jump in and get started....if I had started when I started (follow that??) I would've had my surgery 3 years before I did. So get started and it'll be here before you know it!! Good Luck!!

I know how you feel about waiting for the medically supervised diet. I am sitting here with insurance that is really crappy, I work at a hospital and the insurance for the lap band is a joke, I would probably have to pay about $12,000 out of pocket. However, my husband is working as a temp at a place that will hire him anytime between now and august and the insurance is way better. But for now i have to wait for.... 1. him to get hired in. 2. 90days after he gets hired in for insurance to kick in. 3. 6 month supervised diet starting next month. as my sister says though (in a very supportive way) "you took a long time to get fat, so what's a couple extra months." She's definatly right but it's hard to think of putting it on hold when i want it so bad right now. I know that God is giving me this time to think and teach me not to be so impulsive. I am trying to get over a bad habit of buying and doing things as soon as i think about them instead of thinking and praying. Anyways, wish me luck! Angela

Tina, Get started on that diet asap! And it will go by in no time! I did not have the RNY - but I so love Dr. Ben-Meir! It will be worth the wait and effort to get a handle on your life! Good Luck! ~Starr~

The news about the coverage is awesome!! Six months seems like forever and I know how excited I am about this, so that just makes six months seem like 600 years, but the truth is it will go by before you know it...think about the the fourth of july that was over six months ago and it seems like yesterday!!! The best news is that you are able to gain a tool to bring your life back into healthy balance! (not to mention that it is going to be super cheap because you have such awesome coverage) You can do...call your doc today and set up the first appointment to get going with it! Keep your chin up and your eye on the goal date!!! Colleen PS you might have to remind me of the same thing in a few weeks when my insurance kicks in and I find out what my insurance requires!

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement and support. You are all angels Blessings Tina