What were the previous BCBS requirements for lap-band surgery coverage?

Depending on your policy, the requirements for approval may vary. Nevertheless, if your policy covers the treatment of morbid obesity, your insurance provider will most likely ask you to submit documentation for six months of a medically supervised diet and psychological evaluation in order to qualify. What this usually meant for our DayOne Health patients was that they had to meet with our dietitian and get weighted every month for six months prior to their procedure. With the new requirement in place, the length of time that the patient has to wait to get their band will shorten considerably.

What will be the new requirements?

Again, BCBS requirements for the approval of lap-band surgery may vary depending on your policy. However, most of the insurance companies, including BCBS, hold similar standards when it comes to approving bariatric procedures. The first requirement that is always in place when considering whether someone qualifies for coverage is a body mass index (BMI). For most insurance companies, including BCBS, the minimum BMI for approval is a BMI of 35 and above paired with two health conditions related to your weight, or a BMI of 40 and above with no additional requirements in terms of co-morbidities. Insurance companies also require a letter of medical necessity from the weight loss surgeon, as well as evaluations from a bariatric dietitian and psychologist.

How long on average does it take to get all the documentation needed?

With the BCBS changing its requirements, you will be able to obtain all the documentation needed for surgery approval within one to two days. At DayOne Health, you will be able to get most of your documentation ready during your first consultation with a surgeon. While the psychologist is not available here on site, DayOne Health is closely working with two psychologists that have their offices just a few blocks from our main office. In other words, with proper planning you’ll get everything you need to start the insurance approval process in one day. Following the submission of all documentation, it usually takes up to 30 days to hear whether the surgery was approved or not. At DayOne Health we try to make the whole process as easy as possible for our patients by taking care of most of the groundwork. However, if you have any questions considering your policy, coverage, approval, or appeal process, you can contact our insurance coordinator any time and discuss the best strategy.

If you have any questions considering our DayOne Health lap-band program or would like to speak to our insurance coordinator about your coverage call our Chicago clinic at (312) 239-3838.

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Why do we Recommend My Lap-Band Journey to DayOne Health Patients?

My Lap-Band Journey can be a great tool in helping you stay in control of your eating, prepare for your lap-band journey, and finally direct throughout your lap-band experience after the procedure. At DayOne Health, no matter if you will end up getting the band or not, we really recommend you to download the app and sign up on lapband.com or either of the two. Soon after you create your profile you will notice how easy and user friendly tracking your weight loss can be. The portal is also a great resource of information not only about your progress but also about nutrition and weight loss options. Real time tracking will give you detailed insight in how you are doing in every aspect of your weight loss. In addition, if you decide to get a lap-band, My Lap-Band Journey will remind you about your upcoming follow up appointments.

Preparing for Lap-band Surgery

Allergan’s portal does a great job in preparing an easy step-by-step interactive checklist for anyone planning to undergo the lap-band procedure. Unless you decide to have your procedure performed at DayOne Health, you may be a little confused in terms of where to start in your lap-band journey and finally what lifestyle changes will be required prior to the procedure. My Lap-Band Journey gives you a detailed outline starting from educational materials and where to find a surgeon to healthy recipes and support group information. LapBand.com will also provide you with basic information considering your insurance and financing options. If you are a DayOne Health patient much of that information in far more detail will be given to you during your initial consultation and follow up visits. Nevertheless, if you feel that the program of your choice doesn’t give you enough insight it’s good to have alternative option under your fingertips.

After Lap-band

This is where My Lap-Band Journey shows most of its functionality. You can enter everything here including your food log, calorie count, weight, changes in your health, and even updates on your mood. All of that information will come back to you in the form of clear reporting and updates. If you are a very results-oriented person you’ll be more than happy with the comprehensive balance sheets that My Lap-Band Journey has to offer. Although receiving daily reports on your progress may seem weird, you will soon notice that they are a very motivating tool. The best part about it is that My Lap-Band Journey is very objective. The truth is everyone has moments when he or she reaches plateau in weight loss or just has a hard day. Believe me when I say that My Lap-Band Journey is what may be what will keep you compliant with your goals when the bad day strikes. Their portal will always give you a real assessment of your progress, not just an impression created by temporary self-doubt. So if you have a lap-band or you are planning to get it, don’t wait any longer to create your profile. The service is completely free of charge and can change the way you view your quest for weight loss forever.

If you would like hear more about DayOne Health comprehensive weight loss program, or learn about the lap-band procedure, contact our Chicago clinic at (312) 239-3838 or schedule your one-on-one consultation with one of our surgeons today.

Lap-band long-term study

This recent study done in Europe presented results obtained on a group of 82 Belgian lap-band patients who had their weight loss surgery between 1994 and 1997. The researchers followed up with the patients in 2009 to see how they were doing. Final observation showed complication rates among lap-band patients reaching almost 40%. The most serious of the complications listed involved band erosion and required band removal. Unfortunately, we couldn’t obtain the original study by Dr. Jacques Himpens, so we can’t tell you exactly what percentage of patients had what kind of complications. Nevertheless, as the researchers stated, the rate of complications was higher than in the case of gastric bypass patients.

DayOne Health Chicago long-term results

While at the first glance the Belgian results sound concerning, we must say that in ten years of our experience with adjustable gastric band patients we never had any cases of lap-band erosions. In addition, other serious complications such as band slippage or port issues never surpassed the level of 2%. To further investigate the results, we asked our surgeons about their experience with lap-band complications as private practitioners. None of them believed in complication rates being as high as 40%, and they especially didn’t agree with the idea of gastric bypass having lower complication rates compared to the lap-band procedure.

Why are the study results so different from DayOne Health’s experience?

First of all, the results obtained by European researchers are very different from the results observed not only in our Chicago clinic, but probably also in the entire U.S. The reasons are that (1) the band used in the U.S. is very different than the bands used in previous years in Europe, and (2) the surgical methods of the band placement have significantly evolved. For instance, due to the high slippage rate of over 20%, in 1998 (after the patients in the Belgian study had their band surgery) Dr. George Fielding revolutionized the lap-band procedure by changing the way the lap-band was placed. This change alone decreased the lap-band slippage rate below 5%. In comparison, the newest generation of lap-bands has an observed erosion rate as low as 0.2% with an overall complication rate of 12%. These results are based on the study performed by Dr. Fielding at the University Healthcare Consortium on 3,000 patients.

Lap-band surgeon choice and complication rates

Your weight loss surgeon’s experience is another factor that may determine the probability of a complication. The more experience your doctor has, the less likely it is that you will have any complications. This is true for any kind of surgical procedure. Because of that, it is very important that you do some research about your doctor prior to your weight loss surgery. You can always ask your surgeon how many lap-band surgeries he or she performed and how many years of experience he or she has with bariatric surgeries. Also, you can ask your surgeon about his or her credentials including certifications given by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) or about his or her LAP-BAND® System expertise. The amount of experience with the lap-band procedure may be another factor contributing to our Chicago clinic’s low complication rates. All DayOne Health surgeons have extensive experience with the lap-band going back as far as 2001, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the LAP-BAND® System for use in the U.S.

How to decrease the complication rate even more?

The most crucial part of the lap-band journey is the follow-up care. It is not a coincidence that out of 151 patients who were entered into the Belgium study, the final analysis included only 82 participants. This means that the researchers failed to follow up with almost half of their patients. The percentage of complications greatly decreases if patients actively participate in a follow-up care program. When we started our DayOne Health Chicago bariatric program, our intention was to create a comprehensive program that would focus mainly on the lap-band patient follow-up care. At DayOne Health, we recognize your surgery as a staring point of your weight loss journey, with the follow-up care being the most critical part.

If you would like to hear more about the published study or our premier Chicago lap-band program, please contact us at pcc-chicago@dayonehealth.com, or sign up for one-on-one weight loss consultation with one of our lap-band surgeons.

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Our Lap-Band Give Away Contest started in the end of June this year and ended on October 31st. During these three months, we received over 100 essays telling us stories of those who wanted to win the free lap-band. All of the essays were amazing, and by many we were deeply touched. Unfortunately, we had to choose only one person who would receive the main prize. To narrow down the number of possible candidates, we chose 12 finalists whom we invited for a consultation. All our finalists met with our patient advocate, dietitian, and our weight loss surgeon. Again, all of the candidates we met had great personalities and very high chances of success with the lap-band. After seeing all candidates, we looked through the essays and information collected during the consultations, and debated a long time. And finally, after two weeks, we reached the decision!

Every year our DayOne Health clinic organizes a special Holiday Party. Every year we invite all of our patients to celebrate with us their next bandiversaries and meet with other lap-banders. Due to the Lap-Band Give Away Contest, this year’s celebration was even more special than in past years. Besides patients, we also invited all twelve finalists to use the party as an opportunity to announce the winner. We hope that all of you had a great time! Besides the great food, and even better company, this year we had an additional surprise. We invited a photographer, so that each of our guests would have a chance of taking a professional photo!

This contest will be a great opportunity for all of our future patients to get a better insight in the whole lap-band journey. Amy will undergo her free lap-band procedure on December 27th . Two weeks before her weight loss surgery, so Monday Dec 13th, Amy will start our first Lap-Band Diary! Soon, you will be able to find posts from our winner here, as well as on a special page on our DayOne Health Chicago website. Stay tuned to hear Amy’s story!

If you would like to hear more about our lap-band comprehensive weight loss program, the lap-band giveaway contest, or just get updated on our finalist’s lap-band experience call our Chicago clinic at 312-255-1900, or e-mail at pcc-chicago@dayonehealth.com.

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On Saturday, July 24th, NBC is having a casting for 11th season of The Biggest Loser in Chicago. Organizers are expecting to see at least 500 applicants, so if you’re planning to take part in the event, be there early. The auditions are going to start at 10 A.M. and end at 6 P.M. If you have a lot of weight to lose and don’t mind winning a quarter million dollars, come and join us at NBC Towers in Chicago!

Yeah, the DayOne Health team will be there. Not only to cheer the applicants, but also to give away free cold water. Forecasts say it’s going to be 90 degrees, so prepare yourself to fight the heat. For us, The Biggest Loser is not only a chance to hang out in the fresh air, but also to talk about the lap-band surgery. For the past two weeks we’ve been preparing for this event and now we are ready to join the crowds. Since NBC is choosing only five finalists, we decided to show the other 495 contestants that even if they don’t become the Biggest Loser, they shouldn’t give up on losing weight. Also, for all of those who are not ready to go into weight loss boot camp, the lap-band may be a great solution. Maybe getting a lap-band doesn’t seem as appealing and spectacular as shedding pounds on NBC, but after all, the lap-band equally if not more effective. We won’t promise that you will lose 60 pounds in 4 months, but we are pretty sure that with the right attitude you can easily lose 60 pounds or more in a year. Pretty good deal, isn’t it?

Besides cold water and tons of positive energy, we decided that this special occasion requires something more. We were thinking about another way we could help, and we came up with an idea of a contest. The Lap-Band Give-Away Contest, to be more specific. The rules are very easy. Everyone who wants to win a free lap-band simply has to write an essay specifying why they should be chosen to get the band. If you would like to participate, please write to us about yourself in up to 500 words and paste it into the special box on our sign up page. Right after your submission, our patient advocate will contact you and give some more details about the contest as well as the lap-band surgery. You can submit your applications and essays from July 23rd to October 31st. If you are taking part in the Biggest Loser casting tomorrow, we wish you the best and good luck.

We would really love to hear your story, so don’t hesitate and enter to win a FREE Lap-Band!

You hear a lot about the medical tourism these days. Since DayOne Health is a bariatric clinic we get many questions about getting a LAP-BAND in Mexico. When we ask our patients why they would even considered doing it, they say that it’s the price.  For many who don’t have insurance coverage or who have BMI below 35, self-pay is the option.  Imagine you have a choice between paying $5,000 or $13,000, which would you choose?

Don’t answer this question yet! There may be more to it than it seems…

Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is!  Prices for LAP-BAND surgery in Mexico can actually range from $4,500 to $15,000 depending on the surgeon and facility.  Considering that you would want to be safe and undergo your surgery without complications, you would need to look for an experienced surgeon.  Experienced surgeons in Mexico will charge between $9,000 and $11,000.  Once you reach the $9,000 range you’re basically the same as you would pay in the U.S. plus the travel costs!

Remember that the background check on the facility is as important as on your surgeon. You need to make sure that the staff speaks English and is able to provide you with necessary care in the event of any complications. If you decide to have weight loss surgery in a hospital, make sure that it has an intensive care unit that can handle a bariatric patient. Both your surgeon and facility should meet or exceed American standards. Never compromise your health to save a couple bucks!

Besides phone calls with questions, we at DayOne Health have extensive experience with patients from Mexico. Remember that the LAP-BAND surgery is just the beginning of the journey. Follow-up appointments and band fills are what determine weight loss. In other words, when you decide to get a band abroad, it is a good idea to first find a local clinic that will do your adjustments once you’re back home. I must warn you though… some places charge more for LAP-BAND adjustments when the bands placed abroad. The reason for higher pricing is related to complications arising more often among patients banded in Mexico.

Band erosions, slippages, flipped ports… we’ve seen it all!

After adding travel costs, hospital costs, expensive band fills and a fair amount stress, it seems better to consider surgery in the U.S. Here, you can be sure that your doctor meets all standards and will guide you through your weight loss journey. If you are considering having your LAP-BAND surgery done in Mexico, contact us first. Maybe we can help you find a better, safer solution. Call the patient advocate at DayOne Health in Chicago at 312.291.7501 to talk about the cost of LAP-BAND surgery today!

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It is estimated that about a third of women in childbearing age in United States is classified as obese¹. According to doctors, being overweight may significantly increase health risks to pregnant women and their babies. Researchers from John Hopkins University concluded in their recent study that losing weight before pregnancy may not only make getting pregnant easier, but also prevent future pregnancy complications common for the overweight moms. Exercising, diet, and weight loss drugs can help in losing weight, but if you tried all of that and none seemed to work, lap-band may be right for you.

It is believed that problems with fertility in obese patients come from the fact that fat stores change the levels of sex hormones produced by the body – estrogen and testosterone². As a result, it is estimated that obese women are as much as 28 percent less likely to become pregnant and have a successful pregnancy³. If you are concerned with your weight and its influence on your fertility, you should first check your body mass index or BMI. You can do this here.

If your cycle is irregular and your BMI is above 30 it means that you are significantly overweight, and your weight may be interfering with your ovulating cycle. In this case, in order to decrease health risks for you and your future baby you should try to lower your BMI. Since fast weight loss before conceiving could also bring complications, it is best to lose weight gradually for the period of at least six months prior⁴. Pregnancy takes a toll on a mother’s body, so you should prepare yourself as good as possible. If your BMI is above 35, weight loss surgery may be the best solution for you and your future baby.

After you lose some pounds your cycle will become more regular, you will have much higher chances of conceiving, as well as going though a healthy pregnancy. Our experience at DayOne Health Chicago shows that after patients lose weight, they become pregnant much faster and undergo their pregnancies with far less complications than the patients who conceive while being obese. Moreover, the band will help you lose weight after pregnancy, and continue working on your healthy lifestyle. If you would like to talk with someone about improving your eating habits, or hear more about the lap-band surgery call us today at 312-291-7501 or register for a free seminar.

¹http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/2010/apr/14/weight-loss-surgery-could-prevent-pregnancy-complications
²http://www.pregnancy-info.net/obesity_pregnancy.html
³http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103153754.htm
⁴http://www.gettingpregnant.co.uk/fertilityproblems-overweight.html

LAP-BAND procedures have never been more affordable! With DayOne Health, you can make affordable monthly payments on your weight loss surgery. DayOne Health has a partnership that allows weight loss surgery patients make low monthly payments that will fit into any budget.

Your LAP-BAND procedure could be as affordable as $356 per month. At DayOne Health in Chicago, we offer patient financing for Lap-Band surgery making this procedure affordable for any and all self-pay patients. DayOne Health has teamed up with CareCredit, which allows a patient to start treatment immediately with an option to pay in low minimum monthly payments over time.

In addition, insurance companies are also starting to cover more of the cost of LAP-BAND surgery because studies have proved that bariatric surgery is effective in curing ailments due to obesity. On average, insurance companies are now covering anywhere from 60-100% of the cost associated with LAP-BAND surgery.

Keep in mind that patients find that bariatric surgery ends up paying for itself after two years due to the fact that weight loss surgery may help improve and/or resolve conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. Because of this, patients with high blood pressure and other conditions can cut down on cost of prescription drugs, as well as doctor and hospital visits. The positive results from LAP-BAND surgery demonstrate the effectiveness it has had on people’s bodies as well as pockets. Patients are finding it easier to place themselves in the job market due to higher self-confidence and facing less discrimination in the work place.

Contact DayOne Health today and talk to a team member today to find out if our affordable financing is right for you. Lap-Band procedures are now more affordable than ever which means it’s never been easier to achieve your weight loss goals and gain the confidence you deserve. Become the person you want to be at DayOne Health bariatric surgery center of excellence in Chicago. We look forward to hearing from you and we can’t wait to help you meet your weight loss goals. Sign up today to meet with a DayOne Health Professional!

We’ve joined Facebook! DayOne Health Chicago now has their own Facebook fan page which can be found here.

We welcome everyone to become of fan of DayOne Health in Chicago. By becoming a fan you’ll get great information straight to your newsfeed: inspirational tips, recipes, and the latest news. You can also find other DayOne Health patients and connect with them when you need some support. You can even post comments with your own inspirational stories or suggestions that have worked for you. The DayOne Health staff in Chicago would love to see pictures of the progress our LAP-BAND surgery patients are experiencing with their new lifestyle changes. If you know anyone considering weight loss surgery, invite them to become a fan so they can learn more about their options.

We hope that with this Facebook page we can educate new patients, inspire our current patients to success and encourage our LAP-BAND patients in Chicago to stay in touch even after surgery. Feel free to start any discussions or post links with recipes, articles, etc that has been helpful to you.

Also, new patients who are curious about the LAP-BAND procedure can contact the DayOne Health staff in Chicago with any questions or concerns or Register for a free seminar to find out more.

We encourage people to visit our fan page, become a fan and take look for themselves!

We’re very excited to launch this new medium to share timely and relevant information about our practice, weight loss surgery, nutrition, exercise, support and many other topics just for you: our successful post-op and future patients.

For those of you just getting to know us, DayOne Health is an outpatient weight loss surgery center serving the greater Chicago area. We offer a comprehensive program with state-of-the-art medical facilities, dedicated staff, and some of the most experienced surgeons and professionals in the world! At DayOne Health your bariatric support team consists of patient advocates, dietitians and even psychologists. We offer convenient information sessions and support groups. We staff insurance specialists to help you navigate payment and offer flexible financing solutions.

DayOne is proud to offer a variety of minimally invasive procedures such as adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND® and REALIZE® Band), StomaphyX®, and single incision weight loss surgery that can leave you virtually scar-free.

In 2008, DayOne was designated as a Bariatric Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and participated in the FDA trial studying the efficacy of the LAP-BAND procedure in adolescents. We feel these accomplishments demonstrate our commitment to helping patients free themselves from obesity in the safest and more effective way possible.

From the day we meet you, through your post-op journey, we’re eager to see you succeed! The DayOne comprehensive program offers personal support in a caring environment. Many of our staff members are patents themselves. They have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to share.

We hope you continue to check back here and follow along as we provide you with important information for making the decision to have weight loss surgery or for reaching your weight loss goals.