Luu2008

I'm sure this is on here somewhere but couldn't find it. I plan on calling my insurance company on Monday to ask if LapBand is covered, what is the best way to do this?

Destiny-thanks for the info, makes sense. I haven't been able to stop the yo-yo for 7 years and I just keep going higher. VERY frustrated, I've tried EVERYTHING. I do have a consistent medical history that shows my ups and downs, with plenty more ups then downs. I'm just not sure if they want a 40 BMI for the entire 3 year period or if I can fluctuate, in my case between 30-38 for 7 years and now I feel like I've totally exhausted everything I can do on my own and lost the battle. Not to mention that for the past year I haven't lost more then 5-10 pounds without regaining it despite putting forth best efforts and now I'm developing weight related health problems, but in my mind they aren't all that horribly life threatening YET. I just wonder do I have to wait until I get very sick or I stay morbidly obese for a sustained 3 years before I will get approved or hopefully I can just get it over with and if gaining 10 pounds will help me get that surgery who the heck cares at this point so long as this can potentially cure my obesity problem... I just don't believe in myself anymore. It stinks. Guess I'll find out. Let ya'll know when I do.

Thanks for the advice. I called and requested information from on of the most reputable bariatric surgeons in our area who specializes in the LapBand. I was told I would get the information on Monday. I plan on calling my insurance company on Monday to see if they cover the procedure. I have a close friend who has same carrier she had the more invasive surgery....so hopefully they also cover the band. For now I am not trying to loose weight which for me means I will most likely gain.

Has anyone gained weight to push yourself into the 40 "morbidly obese" BMI bracket? I am relatively close to 40% at 38%. If so how does that work don't most insurance companies want a 3-5 year weight history? Do you have to be morbidly obese the entire 3-5 year period? Currently this is my all time highest weight since giving birth to my 7 year old. All I have done since that time is yo-yo'd w/ this being my highest in the past 7 years. Also I don't have any life threatening co-morbitities that I am aware of. I suspect I am borderline type 2 diabetic but as I don't really want to be diabetic (family history/know what it can do to a body) I really have no desire to create a situation that I become so unhealthy I become diabetic in order to get this surgery. I get tested for diabetes soon. I do have other weight related health issues but not the big ones-YET. No high blood pressure, sleep apnea that I know of etc. I'm sure they are on their way. I have had been catheterized for a non weight related heart aryhthmia but that has been "cured" thanks to my cardiologist. I feel like I do have a pretty extensive health history that shows my ups and downs in my weight and that I have tried and failed miserably to do this "on my own":frown:. I am mortified with myself that I am even considering gaining weight to loose weight. I only consider gaining the weight because I'm tired of the daily battle with food and I know that I am stuck in an unhealthy cycle that I eventually will loose, I want a permanent solution if I'm going to work like crazy to loose this weight. If I let myself eat what I want to I can gain it in a matter of weeks, pathetic but true. If not I have got to loose this weight for myself anyway and given my track history I will eventually loose it back plus more along with all the unhealthy things I am trying so hard to avoid...sorry so long can you just hear the desperation? :biggrin::frown::eek::frown:

Lulu and Tracy thank you for the replies. Lulu-I noticed that you have been banded in your signature, did your insurance eventually approve or did you pay? I am hoping I DO NOT have type 2 diabetes so we'll see from what I understand if I don't have the co-morbidities I won't qualify (sure I didn't spell that right). Tracy-will take your advice and do some more research. I also suffer from depression that I truly feel is weight related...but I am not sure if that would be reaching for insurance purposes. Does your employer have to know that you are having this done, are they informed by your insurance company???

I love this sight. Its been the most informative of everything I have found thus far. I have spent 3 hours the past 2 days reading posts. I even read the bad stuff. I am not sure if this is "for me" yet but wanted to introduce myself. I am in the "research" phase of my journey with a BMI of 38. The LapBand certainly seems like a wonderful solution for me as I am experiencing weight related health problems. I am not sure if I "qualify" for my insurance to cover the surgery and I will not consider self-pay, too many other things to pay for in our household. I'm married to a busy Veterinarian and stay home taking care of our 3 children two girls 11 and 7 years old who are busy with activities and a 2 year old son who keeps me on my toes. We also have 2 dogs and one cat-our furbabies. Looking forward to learning more.

I was researching diabetes (dad with type 2 diabetes and I'm experiencing same symptoms) when I stumbled on information concerning the LapBand procedure. I have struggled with my weight since my first baby was born 10 years ago. I have a family history of obesity and have fought my entire life, so tired of being hungry. Very much a lifetime yo-yo dieter. I am at my current highest weight. The LapBand is only something I am thinking about doing at this point but from what I have read I feel this is a lifetime solution to my obesity issues however will not consider unless insurance will cover. If anyone has any insight to my situation please let me know. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield NY PPO plan. My BMI is 37 I suspect I have type 2 diabetes, though not diagnosed For the last 3 months I have experienced ankle, knee, and lower back pain, one back injury, and two sprained ankles, all from light exercising...which I was doing to try and loose weight :tongue:!