Starting...

So I thought I would let everyone know..... I am going to start the process of Lap Band surgery. I make the call today to Barix Clinics here in Michigan when I get out of work which is in like 2 hours. I will be calling my physician as well today I think he is open until 6pm if not....I will talk to him tomorrow at lunch. I'm scared. To tell you the truth I am really scared but I have finally decided this is what I want to do. So I guess wish me luck, :)

Why?  I thought you were doing quite well..

No not really.  I just have been thinking about it lately and have already came into contact with Barix Clinic....I have a voicemail on my phone right now. And I am just gonna do it.  I feel that I would be better off this way.  This is what i want to do. I just feel that I am getting no where and I am going to rely on this tool to help me, I know it will not solve ALL of my problems if any at all. Because I know I have to be extremely patient with Lap Band. But I figure I will learn things from it. So I am going to start the process and see if my insurance covers it.....if it doesn't well then I am back to just diet and exercise.

Get out your insurance benefits book and look at the exclusions list and see if they list bariatric surgery or anything regard weightloss. If they do..well.. You know.  If not then you have a good chance of getting approved. I support you!  I know you've given things a great go! Sometimes in the end we feel powerless against ourselves because we can't seem to change our habits no matter how hard we try. I feel certain the band will help you get over the hurdle and obtain that long term success you need. :)

I knew you would support me. :) Thank you for that, it does mean alot. No one knows except people on this board and well I have visited the Lap Band board as well. None of my friends or family know. I hinted to my mother yesterday that I want Lap Band, she really didn't say anything except she ran into someone who was 6 weeks out and has lost 21 pounds...I'm like hey he lost weight! That is alot to me! And I guess the guy told her that he can't believe he did this to himself! Why did he have this surgery but I am thinking he's at that stage whjere everyone is.....what the hell did i do! OMG! haha.  I think I lost my benefits book i will have to get another one...wonder if my mom has one laying around the office!.....She will know i am up to something I could have swore that when I got my insurance back in May I looked at that I believe I seen Weight Loss Surgery in there as they cover it...I am not sure tho that was a while ago!

When in doubt, call or check their website.  Simply call them and say "I want to know if my plan covers medically necessary baratric/weight loss surgery."

I will call them first when I get home and ask them. So then I know for sure!

Good for you.  I know you've been trying for awhile now and from the sounds of it this isn't a quick decision.  I think you are also very smart to be going for the lapband, especially at your age and with the amount you need to lose. Hey what insurance do you have?  I've got Priority Health and I've heard they are a pain to deal with regarding WLS.  I will let you know more in the next month or so. If you've got a copy of your Insurance Handbook it should tell you in general terms if WLS is covered or not.  You can also go on to their website and see what info you can track down from there.  I actually found PH's WLS policy.  It gives much more detail than the book does.  It helps to have the guidelines in your hands that the insurance company works with.

I have Humana PPO. I tried looking it up on their site...but I just couldn't find anything on it.. I was thinking about giving them a call also today!

Good luck with whatever you do Christa.  Everyone has to come to their own decisions regarding how and if they lose weight.  I'm behind you no matter what. Brenda