Just begining the journey

I'm signing up today because I am just starting to check into wls. I'm hoping to get the lap band. I'm excited, scared and afraid to hope. Our insurance says in the book that it will not cover wls even if it is medically nessesary. What can I do if it doesn't? Does anyone have experience with Pacific Source?

Hi Kathy, welcome! I just had the LapBand put in 1 month ago & I too was excited, scared, worried, etc. My hubby used to have Pacific Source.......they were a good insurance co to have. It was changed years ago to EHA (Monaco). At the first of the year, it was changed to ODS. EHA & ODS both had long paragraphs of exclusions as to why they will NOT cover anything to do with weight loss. So, I had to go self pay & get a 2nd mort on my home. If you want to read any more about my experience prior to surgery, feel free to read my profile. Any questions you have...feel free to ask ANYTHING, that's what we are here for.... to help each other in our journey!! Jackie

Thanks Jackie, I sure don't want to have to go the self pay route, but it might end up that way. Thanks for the encouragement. I just know that this is something I need to pursue in order to have a longer and healthier life.

Hi Kathy, I have BC/BS of Oregon and they exclude ANY THING to do with WLS or diet. I had to go self pay, I had the RNY done in Coos Bay Oregon with Dr S. Tersigni, he is just wonderful and I think now that he has a special going of $10000.00 for a lapband. I know that is an awful price, but so worth it to me. The RNY cost alot more, I would do it again though. Hope this helps. Chrisy

Hi Chrisy, I have see on this site that alot of people recommend Dr. Tersigni, and $10K is the best price I have found around here. Does he have a website? Kathy

Yes Kathy, Dr. Tersigni is at Bay Bariatrics. His phone number is 1-888-Newwyou. He is a wonderful surgeon and a very nice man. He has worked in the bariatric field for over 8 years and has performed almost a 1,000 cases.You cannot beat his cash price for the Lap Band or bypass surgery in the U.S. Best of luck to you. Robin

Good luck and here's a link to Dr. T. http://www.baybariatrics.com/ Although he didn't do my surgery I LOVE Coos Bay so I've been directing people to him who are local self-pays. CB is really a nice drive from your neck of the woods (my mom graduated from SWH more than a few years ago). As I understand it, Dr. T. is offering the $10,000 rate so that he can get enough surgeries under his belt to become a Center of Excellence (and, thus, be able to charge more, lol). Coos Bay has a bit lower cost of living expense, too, so things aren't as expensive as they are in Portland. Good luck! Lori

Kathy, Welcome! I have Pacific Source, and I ended up self paying. I went to Brazil for the DS surgery. We ended up taking out a home equity on our house. I know, probably not what you wanted to hear! I don't know if I could have fought them to cover it or not, but I wasn't in a position to wait around for years to have it done. My co-morbidities were getting worse all the time. Your neighbor over in Albany! Diana

Hi Kathy, My insurance will not cover my WLS either so I am getting the lap band done by Dr. T in Coos Bay. I have my new patient exam on Monday, April 16th and hoping to have surgery scheduled for May. The cost is at least $15,000 cheaper than OHSU or Good Sam and I have had great communication with him. I'll keep you posted and good luck. Chrissy