Couple questions

I have been trying hard to get WLS for the last year.  I have been denied 3 times so far.   I can file another appeal but I am not sure if it will help.  I was thinking of using a laywer service for the appeal, obesitylaw.com/.  Does anyone here have any coments on them, good or bad?  BTW I am getting denied because its not a coverd procedure.

I also was pretty sure I wanted the Lap band but recently I have been looking hard at the bypass.  I know research is best but I really want to lose all of the weight and I have heard from way too many people that you lose more weight in general with the bypass than the band.

Also I am looking at Mexico as a last resort for the surgery.  i have been looking at the Mexico forum but am a little worried about going to a different counrty for the surgery.  Has anyone here gone to mexico for the surgery?  Were you happy or say that you did?

Thanks for you time.

Exclusion in your Health coverage is going to be impossible to beat. 

Good luck with the appeal. 

What type of surgery to have is a very personal decision.    I have spoken with people who are very happy with their band, many people happy with their RNY, people happy with their DS and people who have revised from one procedure to another.  I had considered the band, but felt that I would have a better long term sticking with the post RNY lifestyle. I considered the DS, but it was not available in my area, and it was important to me to have my surgeon near by.   I guess I would just suggest you look at how your post op life would be with each surgery and what you feel would be most successful for you.  

Most people here at OH are very willing to share there experiences.   Post many questions here, the RNY, Band and DS boards.  There are also people here who have traveled to Mexico for surgery and you can learn about their experience. 

Most people only have one shot at WLS, make the best choice for you.

Jim

If you have a written exclusion for WLS it will be almost impossible to beat. Have you looked into the Duodenal Switch? If losing enough weight is your concern there really is no better option. You can get the switch in PA with Dr. Peters for about 19K, and in Miami with Dr. Gagner for 18K (both include the hospital stay). Going to mexico, there is Dr. U (don't remember is last name), but he runs about 12k not including hotel and travel, and in brazil you can get the DS with dr. Marchasini for 15K (that includes travel).

Hope that helps

Scott

They have approved the surgery for other people but they continue to use the "not in the plan excuss."  They say that my reasons arent life threating(the are). 

Also last time I was approved for the hospital bills but nothing else(I didnt know or I would have jumped at this).  I work for a union so I am fighting the Health dept of the union.

Its a fight and I told them in the last sit down that I wouldnt give up.  I am going to try an appeal it through the law firm and see what happens.  They can only say no again.

Thanks for the answers so far.

Do you have any comorbidities that would be resolved by WLS? Like high blood pressure, diabetes, joint pains, etc? You're submitting surgeon should have written a letter documenting all of the issues you have preop as a reason you need the surgery.

Scott

Oh man, I was on  the same boat. I called my Insurance to see if the can approved my WLS, and they denied. I got angry and decided to go Mexico to have my surgery. I had my surgery on January 2006 with excellent results, in case you want more information about my surgery , drop me a line.

Claudio