Latest Information

I talked with my surgeons nurse to make a plan and get a full explanation of what needs to get done to re-apply for approval from my insurance for my revision from Lap Band to the Sleeve.

I am going to need to have 3 months of documented supervised weight loss with my primary care doctor. Don't miss a month, or it will have to start all over again.

Make an appointment and see the psychologist for another evaluation. I say another, since I had to see her when I had the Lap Band.

I made my appointment for the primary care doctor for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting this started, so that we can get the process going again.

Insurance response

I received an email today from my surgeons nurse telling me that the insurance company wants me to complete a 3 month supervised diet and another psych eval.  I am waiting for a phone call from the nurse to discuss exactly what this all means and how it needs to be accomplished.

Request Submitted

I found out yesterday that the surgeons office has submitted for approval to perform a revision from Lap Band to Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.  The wrote a strong letter supporting the revision due to the complication I suffered when my band slipped.

I have seen where some people were able to get the revision approved without any trouble, but I've seen otherwise as well.

So, here's hoping for a positive response from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Revision Surgery Update

I suppose the best way to say this is there really is no update yet. I've been working my Doctors nurse to compile a compelling case to present to the insurance company.  Since BCBS Federal doesn't seem to want to approve VSG surgery, she is trying to build a strong case, so that I don't have to go through a lot of other complications.

The crazy thing is that the insurance company would easily approve revision to gastric bypass or to reconnect my lap band, but will resist the VSG surgery. I don't know why, but that is the case.

Hopefully we will get what we want on this, or I will have to come up with a new plan.

Revision attempt

Dr. Taddeucci's nurse, Christy, called me the other day to find out if I could help her find information on my insurance plan. It has been difficult in the past for Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal to get approval for revision surgery for the Vertical Sleeve Gastronomy. Since my surgeon believes this to be the best option for me, they are going to try and get the approval.
I have provided them with a copy of the insurance plan, and several pieces of information that I found all over the web where others have been successful in getting the approval from BCBS FEP.
Wish me luck.

Consultation

I met with Dr. Taddeucci, my bariatric surgeon last Friday to discuss my future options. He is recommending that if my insurance will approve it, I should have my Lap Band removed and have a revision to the Vertical Gastric Sleeve.  We discussed the gastric bypass, but he feels I am a better candidate for the sleeve.
Now we wait for another 2 months for a full healing from the band unbuckle and the gallbladder removal. Hopefully the insurance company will approve the revision.

Pictures of the Weight-loss Progress

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The picture on the left is from June 2008 when I weighed 335 pounds. I eventually gained up to 355 pounds before I finally had the Lap Band surgery. On the right is a picture from July 2013 at 275 pounds.