Linda23585

Chelley, I am a nurse too. Not banded yet. I am "patiently" waiting for insurance authorization. If it doesn't come through, I plan to be banded in Mexico IF I can find a local fill Dr. I am scheduled for an EGD next Thursday. All of a sudden I am wondering why I am having the upper endoscopy rather than an upper GI. Do you suppose it is because I have a known H. Pylori infection?

Hi Rose, Yes, dealing with insurance comanies can be extremely frustrating! And, each policy is different. If my insurance turns me down (and I am hoping they won't) I would stop the appeal process where you did. And, I will fly to Mexico, have it done there and then worry about finding someone up here to do the fills. It is THAT important to me! Rose, have you had yours done yet? Please keep me posted!

Don't give up on your insurance company yet. Unless your policy specifically addresses the surgery and states that it is not covered under your policy, try an appeal. The companies count on the fact that not many folks will take the time and effort to file an appeal. Write a letter to everyone in the company from the janitor to the CEO. Be sure to send a copy of the letter to the Insurance Commissioner of your state. Don't take "No" for an answer too easily....Can't hurt, might help. Do you have a friend who is an attorney? It can sometimes be amazing what a letter on a law firm's stationery can do! Best of luck!

I have not yet been banded, but expect to be soon. Is there anyone who has been banded for a year or more? Have you maintained the weight loss or lost all that you had hoped to lose? Any side effects down the road? If someone asks you to dinner are you able to go and eat most of what is served only in much smaller portions? Popcorn is my all time favorite food....will I ever be able to eat even just a cupful of it again? Any information anyone can offer me about what life is like down the road would be appreciated! Linda

Littleroo and others, I am a Registered Nurse and am considering Lap Band surgery. I have a pre-op consult with my chosen surgeon tomorrow, in fact. You had better believe that I checked out this surgeon thoroughly. My primary physician tried to talk me into going to a different place, but I knew that going where she suggested was not the right decision for me. I think that anyone who is trying to make such an important, life-changing decision needs to ask questions...and a lot of them! I went to the informational meeting armed with an entire page of questions and I have thought of some more that I will ask tomorrow - before I make my final decision. We can all have identical information presented to us, weigh that information in our minds and come to completely different conclusions. It is not important at all that we do not make the same decisions. What is important is that we we respect the decisions that others make and that we don't attack them for not making the same choices that we have made. I, also, checked into the clinic in Mexico. I do not doubt that the physician is excellent and that many have had great outcomes. For me, it was not a viable choice due to distance and the fact that my insurance company will pay for the surgery. Littleroo, I look forward to reading the complete emails from both places! You go, girl. Do you research, ask all of those questions then do what is best for YOU! Linda23585