Totally Overwhelmed and Discouraged

OK, so I have been thinking about surgery and researching forever and now have re-located and settled in and decided now is the time.  I called my new insurance thru my employer, Physicians Plus, and they do not cover anything related to weight loss.  Period.  They do not even have an authorization or appeal process for it.  Great.  I have always considered having the LAPBand, since it is reversible and adjustible and seems to have fewer and less severe complications.  Most times LAPBand is self-pay, so I have been thinking about that.  But, then, I was talking so some friends and they were talking about the LAPBand and self paying, and what if there are complications, and the fills..and being financially responsible for all of it...and then I started thinking about the gastric bypass..especially if insurance would cover it...the thought of losing more weight in a more timely manner was appealing, although I have an acquaintance who has had near fatal complications, which scares me to death. Now getting confirmation that insurance is a no-go, I am feeling like it will never  happen for me.  Any advice??? 

My insurance at first said that they wouldn't pay for anything weight loss... PERIOD!  Except that where it pertains to weight loss surgery, then they would pay as long as I jumped through their assorted hoops and as long as I have a BMI that's over 40 and I have at least one complication such as diabetes. 

Are you sure it doesn't cover anything? Even if your BMI is high and you have other health risks due to the obesity? Ask for it in writing.  I know there are insurance companies still out there that don't pay but make positively sure before you get too discouraged.

Also, some bariatric clinics have a way of financing it plus they have some type of insurance for any complications that might arise.

DON'T GIVE UP YET!   :o)

I would suggest you talk to UW Madison. They have a fabulous program and a special price if you have to self pay. You couldn't have better docs than Dr. Garren and Dr. Gould. Also the nurse practitioner, Gretchen, is a doll and does the fills perfectly. 

If you decide to go out of the country, you may have trouble getting a local doc to do the fills.

Connie 

Thanks for advice..I am going to the UW WLS info seminar on 8/1.  My PCP is thru UW, so , I figure UW will be my hospital of choice..  I am still considering LAP Band, but worried about self pay and paying for fills and any complications.  I am also concerned about being able to lose the amount of weight I need to with the band and and also how long it will take..  I need to lose at least 125#.  I am also thinking of VSG as alternative, if I decide to do something more permanent, but I do not think UW does this procedure.  My insurance says it excludes all WLS, so, unless I get a miracle, whatever I do is going to be self pay .  I am a pessimist and worried enough without considering going out of country.  "If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all", I would be the one ending up on Montel with some horror story. 

125 with the band is no big deal at all. Stay on the lapband board and see how many have lost that and much more. 

Connie