Well I have very high BMI (around 60) and Congestive heart failure. I will have insurance from my work in another 30 days. I know my insurance will consider my CHF a pre-existing condition, and will not cover expenses related to this; however, is it possible insurance might cover a lap band procedure. Is this the right step for me? I am unsure.

My CHF is well controlled with medication, and my Blood pressure is fairly normal (132/76). My cholesterol and triglyscerides are low normal and always have been. It is the weight and the sleep apnea (Apnea led to heart damage) from it that are killing me.

I have tried diets and excercise. I actually eat fairly healthy, but just cant get around well due to the heart trouble and pain in legs.

Just wanted to get some ideas from people who have been there to see if this is feasible, if insurance is likely to deny or accept this, and what kind of results I can expect if I do move ahead with the surgery.

Any advice or knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Hi! well...you have a lot if medical issues going on, and as you already realize a very high BMI. Your first step when you get your insurance coverage is to call them and make sure there is no "exclusion" for weight loss surgery in your particular plan. The next step should be to go to an informational seminar for a surgeon in your area who accepts you insurance. There you will learn a good deal of information to help make your decision. Then you will need to have the eval with the surgeon to see if #1 you are a candidate for the surgery, and #2 if this is the best choice for you (ie band vs gastric bypass). In the mean time, continue to read these message boards...you will get a wealth of information from people who have had the proceedure and what their sucesses and challanges have been. Good luck in your journey.

My advise is make sure you have insurance to cover everything.

I was a self pay 1 year ago at 265 pounds. I have lost 95 pounds.I saw the best doctor at our top hospital and since 9 months post-op I have had to many complications to count. Because insurance did not cover me for lap band I am having to pay for all my hospital stays (3) from complications. I have had tubing tangle in my intestines. Tubing attach to scar tissue causing a blockage, my latest is erosion of the esophagas from BPing. I also never had problems with high blood pressure until my band. I am now on blood pressure medicine.

I know you have health problems now and maybe you will turn out fine with your band. I know I would take back every pound if I could have my health back. It was better before surgery and the problems I had were fixable. I now have problems that can cost me my life.

Without insurance its also costing my family our life savings.