I post a lot on the lightweight board so you could have missed me.
I had surgery on 9-9-10.  Everything went great.  The hospital staff is the best ever and will take wonderful care of you.  I have had no complications, no nausea, no problems at all.  Everything I have tried has been ok with my pouch.  I have worked by way through the various phases and am on Solid 2 now, which is basically almost everything but simple carbs.  Cammie and Meg have been great.  I couldn't be happier.  It didn't take me long after they sent everything in for approval.  The 4 weeks of Optifast really isn't as bad as it sounds.  I was never hungry, just bored.  Let me know how you are coming.  Good luck.

hey! I live in SC and have BC/BC. I was quite pleasantly surprised when the Bariatirc Soultions practice in Greenville told me that BC/BC generally did not require a 6 month diet history.

My paperwork for a RNY went in last week. I am hoping to get approval for a mid-December surgery, as I  have met my out of pocket limit.

Your particular policy may of course be different.

Good luck!
Sharon

 There's a support group meeting tonight for Carolina Surgical at 5 pm at St. Francis Eastside they welcome patients who are pre-op, post-op, and who have had surgery elsewhere.  I'm planning on going tonight - hope t see you there!

That fee may cover more that you thyink it does.
I paid my fee - but now I have psych appointemnt and nuts visit for free.  It is a lot of money - but that also covers a lot.  There are weekly support group meetings, and the support you get is really good.
i.e. 24 hrs docs on call - in case of something going wrong.  I only used that a few times - but when i needed- it was great I had that. 

Verify what is covered, and why is the fee.  I know it is a lot of money - but I found out over and over again that it was the best money I could put forward a great docs care. 

Hi Barb,
Even though I live in SC my insurance is BC/BS of Alabama not SC, but what I would suggest to you is to call the insurance company and ask them what your benefits cover.  That is what I did and they were VERY helpful and even gave me the website and access information so that I could read it myself.  (There were 28 pages of info!)

The thing is that it depends on your employer and the package that they have contracted with BC/BS as to what is covered.  My sister works for the county and is covered under BC/BS State coverage and her policy will not allow ANY surgery for weight loss under ANY cir****tances.  However, just because it is not covered for her does not mean it will be the same for you.  What matters is if there is an "exclusion" on your policy that excludes WLS.

So again, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask.  If you do not understand something, keep asking questions until you do understand.

Good Luck,

Vickie