My BMI is 32.6 and I am looking to have the lap band surgery. I have located a surgeon locally. I am going to a seminar on Oct 27, 2011 & I will start my journey from there. I know I will be self pay. I am a Registered Nurse and have done intensive research and I have decided this is the best option for me.

I have been over weight for many years, numerous diets, personal trainers, prescription medication, liposuction (twice) and weight watchers and I am still 190 ponds. I have high blood pressure, but last year I was able to jog 6.2 miles non stop in the peachtree road race, but I am still obese.

I just went to my seminar. My surgeon told us that the Lapband has been approved to be safely used on patients with 30 BMI or higher. He said that insurance companies haven't yet follow suit because they don't want to dish out the $. Here is some info I found online

http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/news/20110217/fda-oks-lap-band-surgery-for-more-patients

FYI all you just need 35 BMI and a condition and your insurance will pay for the lapband and you can save yourself $10,000+ (just saying)

I am aware the FDA approval. So glad I don't have to struggle with the decision of going to Mexico.

I have been over weight for many years, numerous diets, personal trainers, prescription medication, liposuction (twice) and weight watchers and I am still 190 ponds. I have high blood pressure, but last year I was able to jog 6.2 miles non stop in the peachtree road race, but I am still obese.

OK so you already have a condition. Maybe you should go well dressed to your appointment. I don't think people should gain weight just to get the surgery but you seem so close and you can save so much $. My insurance company now does not required 6 months supervised diet. I will be able to get my surgery done as soon as I finish going to the doctor appts. A patient at my seminar got her appointments all done in 3 weeks. I will have mine done in 4 weeks.

I know, I am only 14 poundage away of a BMI of 35

Trust me, I do not want to pay for it. I may look into some other methods. Would I have to weigh in more than once?

I just read over the coverage policy for Cigna, blood pressure has to be uncontrolled with optimal medical management and six months of supervised weight lost program. I would be a whole year trying to get approved and then I would probably have another medical issue by then. My right knee is already giving me trouble due to the extra added weight

Appears that I will be self pay.....

Well ask your surgeon you never know. My insurance requires a 6 month log of my attempts at losing weight, that has to be signed by a doctor but that is it. Your surgeon may send you for sleep apnea test etc., They try to help you find issues that would help you get your insurance to cover it.

About the weight I was told that they go by the weight of your consult weigh in. 14lbs...is so close.

I do understand your frustrations and yo-yoing...I have done it myself for the last 16 years and I am sooooo over it. After so many attempts and ups and downs, I find myself the heaviest I have ever been. This is after I lost over 40lbs on my own last year and have gained it back and more!!! So I made the decision to get the lapband. Which for me is the clear choice in procedure. I got to control the eating which seems to always ruined all the hard work I do at the gym!

Keep us posted and Good Luck to you!!!

Thanks SkinnyMinniMe for the encouragement, it is MUCH NEEDED!