Well, I have IEHP Medical insurance and just found out that they will cover lap band surgery if they deem it to be medically necessary. I'm 28 year old 5' 7 and weigh 267lbs. My BMI is 40.3 and I have chronic high blood pressure, a pace maker and have had congestive heart failure. I have an appointment with my general practitioner this week and will begin Weight Watchers as my 6 months of medically supervised weight loss program. I really want to be approved and don't want to mess anything up. Can anyone who's been banded tell me more about the insurance approval process and if there's anything I can do to ensure I get approved?

I have not been banded yet but have gone through the insurance hoops recently...waiting to hear from them on approval right now.

The number one thing I can say is keep track of everything! Journal your progress....write down your previous diet histories if you can remember them, get medical records for the last 5 years gathered. Since you have 6 months on the weight watchers diet you have some time so you don't have to stress but the main thing is to be organized and have everything you need. Call your insurance company ( I know...scary pain in the butt) and ask what all of their requirements are and what proof is required etc. Some want to see weekly progress notes from a doctor...some just want a basic list from you of the diets you have been on...it varies greatly by insurance company.

Make sure you have a weekly weigh in or weigh in at regular intervals at your doc's office...you don't really have to have an appointment to come in and weigh and have the nurse add it to your chart. I have heard of that one little detail messing people up big time!

Most of all stay positive, make a list of the reasons why you are doing this and refer to it often. Good luck!

Wishing you every happiness!