Insurance and other Questions

Hello, I am looking at having LapBand done in Park Rapids. I have BCBS ND insurance and am wondering how the approval/denial process works with them. If anyone has any insight, it would be much apprecaited. I'd love to know what kind of paramaters they use to make their decisions and what kind of luck you've had. If insurance won't cover me we are going to pay cash. Has anyone here done that? If so--if you don't mind my asking--how much was it? I've heard lots of different stories online, but would really like some local feedback. I've also read conflicting stories about how long the hospital stay was. I thought I read on one board that someone had the LapBand and then went hom the same afternoon, but I've also heard that people have to stay 3 days! What is normal? What kind of luck have you all had with the LapBand--do you recommend it? I've been overweight all my life and have tried every diet plan under the sun. I'm ready to take the plunge and rid myself of all this extra weight! Your input would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time!

If you end up going to have to pay Lap-Band would be at the very bottom of the list. When I was researching all the options out there I thought Lap-Band was the one. But after going to a seminar and reading about it from others it went right to the bottom of the list. Way to much after care with it that could cost you a lot. Plus all the other problems you can have with it. I did not want something that i had to baby sit for the rest of my life.
I myself was a self pay I didn't want to wait close to a year after I decided that I wanted something done. I was going to have RNY done and then came across the Sleeve. Wow what a great choice snip it and forget it. You don't have the dumping like with Lap-Band or RNY. You can eat anything and not have to worry if there is sugar or something in it that might make you dump.
I had it done 2-1-08 and have lost a tad over 100lbs so far. Eating all the same things that I ate before only in a lot smaller portions. Any questions pm me. Steve

I too have BCBS of ND and my approval took 2 week but that was because i had missed on of the sheets that i needed to fill out...with my plan i have to have a bmi of 35+ for 3 years with 2 comob...or bmi 40+ for 3 years...I was just at BMI of 40 when i applied for the surgery...I also had 2 comob to go with the weight...I just keep on calling the insurance to check the status of my application... As for the self pay i can't help you out there..

Hospital stay...nope i went in for surgery at 8:30am was out by 9am and by 1:30 i was on the road home (2hr Drive)...each person is different for the recovery but my was very easy...I was on the pain meds the day i got home and then i took it the next 2 night just to make sure i could sleep...I did have the gas pains but with the help of my heating pad they weren't too bad...I think each dr is different with the length of stay...

I was banded just over 8 weeks ago and have lost over 50lbs (including preop diet)  I haven't done my measurements again yet so i'm not sure how many inches i've lost but i've lost 3 pant sizes...If you have any questions please feel free to ask :-)