Question for lap banders//I majorly need to vent.........

I saw my PCP today and asked her if she would consider doing my fills for me if/when I get my surgery. She expressed an interest in learning how to do them and said that if she was given instructions that she could. Does anyone know if she must be educated and certified by Inamed or can she just get an instruction booklet from Inamed to do it? If she does it without certification, does it void any Inamed warranty? The reason I want her to do it is because my surgeon is a 2.25 hour drive. My PCP is about 2 minutes away. In addition, she won't charge me $150 + for each fill. On a different note, I'm kind of depressed tonight because I found out today that the insurance company is sending a letter requesting more information from my PCP. I was so hoping that I'd be getting an approval right off since I have so many of the co-morbities and my PCP was so thorough in submitting all of the info. If I look at the upside, to my knowledge they haven't rejected coverage altogether. I guess I have to try to focus on the positive. But, man! I'm disappointed!!! Now I have another loooooong wait for the letter to get to the PCP, then her to get whatever extra info. together and then wait for the info to get to the insurance company, and then another long review. I just hope it's all done by fax and not snail mail. The rep @ the insurance co. said that he'd just found out that more info was needed and that the notes had not been put into my file yet indicating what other info is needed. I don't know what more they could possibly want. Anyway, I think they are just buying time. Phooey!!! If I was a cusser, I'd be letting out a stream of profanities about now! Sorry to dump on all of you. I usually have a pretty good, upbeat attitude. Thanks for any encouragement you can give or experience you can share. Love, Melodie Pre-Op 297/274.5/160

Sorry, I don't know anything about the lap thing. What I can say though, is that my insurance company requested some very specific information and the next day, after it was faxed to them, they approved me. The way I see it, they could easily just say no, but if they want extra info it means they have reason to believe you should be approved. Rachael

What is the insurance wanting exactly? Keep your chin up and continue to think positive. You've waited this long a few more days, a month, is well worth it afterwards. As for the lap band fill in's, she would have to be trained to do that. You're looking at going back inside for the band to be filled each time. Your insurance also may not approve of your PCP doing this. Best check with your surgeon, and it wouldn't hurt to check with the American Medical Assoc. I know if she isn't board certified as a surgeon, she wouldn't be able to do it. Each time you need a fill in, that's done laproscopic just like having the original surgery when the band was put in place. So be absolutely sure about this and research it first. If not board certified, she could lose her license. Best of luck, Kathy 283/269/215/130 goal

Melodie - from what I understand, most insurance companies still consider the band an experimental procedure so they require more documentation than for the actual by-pass surgery. Hang in there, I'm sure this is just a small bump in the road. Good luck Toni 267/152/130ish