Hi Everyone!! okay soooo. I wana get the LapBand. I have United Health Care. I have a few questions. I hope yall can help me.

1. If my BMI is over 40 will I automaticly get approved?

2. Has anyone used Dr. Steven Fass out of Austin TX and does he make you jump through all kinds of hoops?

3. Since my BMI is 41, I have hypo-thyroid and hyper-tension, depression and back pain do u think I will automaticly get approved with out needing to prove 5 years of weight history and do the 6 month pre-op diet?

I was born over weight. It runs in the family. I have never ever been thin. I am almost 285 lbs today. I have never been able to keep up on my health due to a rocky life style and bad choices in life. At 28, I am ready and able to finally take care of myself and become healthy. I have come a long way, and ready to make more changes.Now I am able to with a good job and health benefits. I hope ya'll can help me by sending my your opinions and experiences. :smile2:

Thanks so much!

Always, Amber Xoxo

Hi Everyone!! okay soooo. I wana get the LAP-BAND®. I have United Health Care. I have a few questions. I hope yall can help me.

1. If my BMI is over 40 will I automaticly get approved?

2. Has anyone used Dr. Steven Fass out of Austin TX and does he make you jump through all kinds of hoops?

3. Since my BMI is 41, I have hypo-thyroid and hyper-tension, depression and back pain do u think I will automaticly get approved with out needing to prove 5 years of weight history and do the 6 month pre-op diet?

I was born over weight. It runs in the family. I have never ever been thin. I am almost 285 lbs today. I have never been able to keep up on my health due to a rocky life style and bad choices in life. At 28, I am ready and able to finally take care of myself and become healthy. I have come a long way, and ready to make more changes.Now I am able to with a good job and health benefits. I hope ya'll can help me by sending my your opinions and experiences. :smile2:

Thanks so much!

Always, Amber Xoxo

I dont know much about how insurance works, or doctors in Texas, but I do know that here in California, my starting BMI was 46 and that qualified me without needing any other medicial issues. However, I do know that if your BMI is 30-35 you do need to have I believe it is three or more of the diseases you listed. I wasnt made to do the six month diet, but I have heard that some people have had to (mostly kiaser patients), however there is a life style change and diet that you must adhere to one month and two weeks before the surgery.

I currently have a friend how has Kiaser and the hoops were just ridiculous, and she and her parents are going to finances the surgery (just shy of 12,000). Its the BEST investment that you can make in yourself. Its just as good if not better than investing in your education. Ive only been banded now for one week, but ive been waiting four years for my insurance to start excepting this surgery, and I dont regret one minute of the whole process. Best of luck and prayers, keep us all update!

OKay thanks so much. I did a lot of work today getting all my ducks in a row. So this post if for others who may have the same question as me.

UHC is Pro Lap Band. How ever it based upon wither your EMPLOYER buys this policy with in their group plan to cover your surgery. Since your employer will be paying the bills, they set the terms and requirements pre-op. not your insurance company. Also, the surgeon may set requirements prior to surgery too. So basicly, from what I understand it is souly up to your employer wither you will have to jump through hoops, rather than getting approved strickly based off your BMI. Now that leaves me to question if it is on a case by case basis or the requirements are set in stone for everyone regardless of BMI and medical problems?? Hummmm. I sure hope not!! Anyways

I met with my PCP today and he will refer me once we get my thyroid under control. I went ahead and called Optimum Health Resorces and filed my claim for consideration to get the band. My " nurse caseworker" will get with me in a week and she will work with comunicating with my employers benifit cordinator about what they require for a case such as mine for approval. Eeek! I hope they just say YES!!!