Hi all, I am in the insurance authorization stage. I'm 5'5" and I weigh 184 pounds. My goal weight is 120 (I'm a small framed woman). I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The dr. put me on meds for both, but the side effects are horrible and I don't want to take meds.

My Dad had a stroke from high blood pressure at 55 and he passed away from heart attack at 61. My 68 year old Mom has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I feel like a walking time bomb.

I've been overweight for the last 20 years (I'm 47) and I've tried every diet out there. I've lost weight and then regained it and I'm done with the rollercoaster. I want to get banded so that I re-learn how to have a healthy relationship eating the right amount of food for my body. My fear is that my insurance won't cover me since my BMI is 31 even though I have high BP and cholesterol and an awful family history. I hope and pray that the insurance will cover this.

Sorry - I moved this to the insurance section

Thanks for letting me vent. Sandy

Edited August 18, 201015 yr by 2bthinsandy

Good luck to you! I know for most insurance your BMI has to be at least 35.

Ditti Spoiltmom - Most insurance companies will not look at the surgery until you're BMI is at least 35. I was at 41 BMI due to my height. I weighted at surgery 205.5 and I am 4'9.

Wow, you have some really serious concerns and it sounds like genetics isn't working in your favor.

Like the other posts, most insurance companies won't cover the band for BMI < 35. However, that's why having WLS is such a big decision. If it doesn't cover it, are you willing to invest in your health anyway?

Every insurance company is different. My guess is that you will have problems getting them to cover it since you're bmi is pretty low compared to a lot of the rest of us. But don't give up, fight, fight, fight. Make sure your physician writes plenty of STRONG and STERN letters to your insurance company explaining why this surgery is beneficial to your health and necessary. Good luck and I'm hoping for the best for you!