dwrd73

You need to know what your insurance requires when it comes to BMI before you try and get it approved. Because if you do not have the required BMI you will most likely not be approved. The good news is most insurance companies what to see a BMI of 40 with or with out comorbs. or a BMI of at least 35 with one or two comorbs. I doubt back pain will count as a comorb. If your insurance is similar to what I just mentioned then go out there and enjoy some of your favorite foods for the last time, wear some heavier clothes and then get weighed in with a BMI of at least 40. Also, don't stand up as straight as you can when you get measured. You will be amazed at how much your BMI changes by just half and inch. I was in the same situation. When I submitted my paperwork my BMI was 34.8 and I have hypertension. The one nurse canceled my appointment because I did not have the required 35 BMI and two comorbs. However, my insurance only needs one comorb. I did everything I mentioned above, plus I ate a meal and drank a bunch of Water just before my appointment. I was several pounds heavier and had a BMI of 35.6. I was the first time in my life I was glad I gained weight.:cool: I don't feel bad about eating up for the lap band b/c once I'm approved (I should hear any day now) I will save thousands of dollars. Plus when I went to my first informational meeting the doctor presenting really did not agree with the insurance companies BMI requirements but understood that they needed some sort of system so they wouldn't have to pay for everyone. He also mentioned that they are seeing great results on patients with low BMI's between 30 - 35.

Someone else started a similar thread called "Cheating." It's in pre-op diet room. Here is a link. Hope this helps. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/pre-operation-lap-band-surgery-questions-answers/68188-cheating.html

I'm a high school teacher.

Hi, I'm recently found this forum last week. My wife and I both decided to get banded and just finished all of our pre-surgery testing for the lap-band. Hopefully our insurance will approve us quickly so we can still get this done before the end of summer. Does anyone know if it matters if your BMI drops below the required number during the pre-op diet? My BMI was 35.6 on the day I met with the doctor. Since I have hypertension my BMI meets the requirement for my insurance, but what happens if or when I loose weight during the pre-op diet? Should I be concerned? Was anyone else in the same situation?