I attended the 6 month lighten up pre-requisite class. Just found out yesterday that my insurance denied the lap band. I want to cry. I have been waiting 6 months for this. They said my BMI is not high enough. It is 39 and must be 40 without complications. I have no weight related health issues but I know if I don't do something about this now, I will start developing problems. My dad had a heart attack followed by quadruple bypass in 2004. He is very overweight and diabetic. WHY did my insurance decline? If I gain 20 pounds that will put my BMI at 40. I want to appeal to my insurance company. Any suggestions? Has anyone had to deal with this? I have Health Net HMO. I will be 40 in December and I wanted to be FAB & 40! I could just cry!!!

If I were you i'd tell them i was an inch to and inch and a half shorter then you really are (NO ONE MEASURED MY HEIGHT). Talk to your surgeon's office and see what can be done. you maybe have to gain a few lbs. I am sure you can resubmit / appeal this decision...i know that some insurance company's will over 30bmi with co-morib. and 35 + with no co-morib. I am sure it depends on your ins company but you can fight this and see what happens...

I attended the 6 month lighten up pre-requisite class. Just found out yesterday that my insurance denied the lap band. I want to cry. I have been waiting 6 months for this. They said my BMI is not high enough. It is 39 and must be 40 without complications. I have no weight related health issues but I know if I don't do something about this now, I will start developing problems. My dad had a heart attack followed by quadruple bypass in 2004. He is very overweight and diabetic. WHY did my insurance decline? If I gain 20 pounds that will put my BMI at 40. I want to appeal to my insurance company. Any suggestions? Has anyone had to deal with this? I have Health Net HMO. I will be 40 in December and I wanted to be FAB & 40! I could just cry!!!

i agre with Mel... see if your surgeon's office will work with you to either change your height or get re-weighed wearing heavier clothes or ankle/wrist weights. i know, it sounds like cheating (and it is) but you shouldn't be denied just because of 1 BMI point!

I have been hearing in the news about the required BMI for Lap Band has gone down by 5 so I would not give up.........look into it. Best of luck!