I'm new here, but I've been doing a lot of research an I am ready to move forward with the banding. I have scheduled to attend the informational session on March 7th. Last night I was really excited about everything and ready to go and then this morning I found out that my insurance may only cover half and that is if I meet all of their requirements. That will take me another 3 months. For those of you that had to work with insurance how did you make it for the specified length of time!?!?!?!? I'm tired of being overweight and I'm ready to do this. I feel like I got a serious kick to the gut when I read that the insurance may not cover the cost of the procedure. I don't even know if we can afford to pay out of pocket. Although, at this point I think I would do just about anything to move forward. Anyone have encouragement?

Once I decided to have the band, I did not have the patience to take another nine months or more to jump through all the insurance hoops, so I borrowed from my 401K and had it done in about a month.

I didn't go through insurance as I had an exclusion clause in mine. However, I have heard some people go really quickly and others have to fight their insurance. If you go to the seminar one of the office folks can tell you some questions to ask your insurance people to get the ball rolling.

Even if it does take you a few months to get the approval, that is just part of the band process. Think of it as the beginning stages. Yes we all hate it but is three months worth it to get what you want accomplished. You can hold out if you have to. We are all here to support you if you need it.

If you decide the band is the way to go for you, start coming to support group meetings right away. Ask questions and talk about it. You will be so far ahead. Use the insurance wait time as a launching point.

Best of luck.

I have blue cross blue sheild they paid for mine. My boyfriend had blue croos blue sheild, they denied him. He switched to United health care and had no problem getting covered, same with his dad, he got covered right away!