Hi I'm new here.

Hello I'm Ben. I am trying to do get the gastric band surgery and my insurance will not cover it. I even applied for a loan to have the surgery done and I dont make enough yearly to qualify (I'm a broke college student). Can anyone give me any tips on anything that I could do? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Hi Ben it's me again. I wanted to invite you to take a look at the Men's board on OH. If you haven't checked it out, please come in the "locker room" as it is called and check it out. I wanted to tell you about our insurance guru on the Men's board. Here is a link to his profile, http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/339427/, you can come and post your question or send him a private message. I am sure he would be glad to give you some suggestions. There have been many people that have had to appeal the insurance's denial, and get approved after an appeal. Sometimes it is just about giving them what they want. Don't give up. pan head

hey thanks pan. Sorry i posted two threads. I didnt think the first one showed. You can delete them if you want. I appreaciate the help. :)

Hi Ben, Just wanted to wish you luck on this journey hopefully you can find an answer to the solution. Kim

thank u kim :o)

Hi Ben, I'm not sure how close Hunington is to you. I drive almost 4 hours. The Center for Surgical Weight Control at Cabel Huntington Hospital. Has a Self Pay Program with payment options. They are also the only Center of Excellence in the State of WV. Here is the link http://yourobesitycare.com/financial.php I hope this helps Michelle P.S. Keep us posted. This forum needs the activity.

Hi Ben! I'm sorry to say that I don't know of any insurance that covers the lapband. (If you hear of one, please email me about it.) That is what I was considering before I researched all the procedures and chose the gastric bypass. However, I know that Dr. Robert Shin in Charleston performs the lapband surgery. If you can get any financial assistance, his office should be able to help you. Also, I'd like to invite you to our monthly support group meetings in Beckley. We are the only support group south of Charleston. We have several people who attend from Princeton, Lewisburg, and even VA. The Beckley WLS Support Group meeting is actually today, February 12, from 7:00-9:00pm at Raleigh General Hospital on Harper Road, Beckley. Our meeting location is in the Education Center (annex building on the Kroger side of RGH). I wish I had seen your post earlier so I could have invited you earlier, but I do post a message here about the meeting each month. You and anyone you want to bring are welcome. If you are interested and you would like to receive a monthly email-reminder for the Beckley WLS Support Group Meetings, please email me at [email protected] and I'll add you to the list. Would love to meet you! Beth ------------------------------------ http://www.geocities.com/beckleywlssg [email protected]

Hi My insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem covered all but 1000.00 of my Lap Band Surgery. My first 6 months of fills and office visits were included with the surgery now I just pay a 20.00 Co-Pay when I go back for check ups and more fills.

Hi, I am also from Preston County and seriously consider the Lapband surgery.. was wondering who did  yours and how things are going since you had it done. Thanks. Di