Hello, this is my first time posting and I'm seriously considering LAP-BAND®. I attended a Seminar with my mom and feel it's right for me.

My mom gets insurance via work (Cigna PPO) and the requirments the insurance has are:

"The individual is

≥ 18 years of age or has reached full expected skeletal growth AND has evidence of EITHER of the following:

a BMI (Body Mass Index) ≥ 40

a BMI (Body Mass Index) 35–39.9 with at least one clinically significant comorbidity, including but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, or pulmonary hypertension "

I Have a BMI of 35.5 and have a combination of migranes, lower back pain and severe acid reflux disease (Every sour or sweet or salty food results in acidy discomfort!)

But I am only 16, although my body has already reached adulthood, so the insurance will probably deny me. Can I/ Should I ask my mom to contact her lawyer to maybe make an exception to that rule? I have been obese since elementary school and recently my hip joint would kind of twist or pop out of place (I think? They make this weird noise.) My hips don't hurt now but I'm pretty sure they'll have complications soon.

I have tried excercise but In the middle of a jog or work out my hip and leg joints hurt soo bad! I have moderatly good eating habits instilled by my mom so It's not the food I eat that makes me so fat! I can't excercise and my genes are against me!

Please give me any info on whether

I should pursue this with a lawyer!:thumbup:

I am certainly no expert and still in the "learning" stages as well, but in my personal opinion before resorting to an attorney, I would see if your doctor could write a letter to the insurance company explaining your individual situation to see if there is anyway they would cover it. I have found appealing to be a lengthly process but one that is worth the fight.

Good luck with your journey.