AHA-i found it (unfortunately)

[chubbola 0]

:omg: i remember talking to a few of you re: bcbs anthem-if you want a lapband, you must have a bmi above 40, but below 50. i saw it somewhere and couldn't remember where i saw it....and here it is...right in the policy...

BMI of 40 or greater, or BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbid conditions including, but not limited to, life threatening cardio-pulmonary problems (severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome and obesity related cardiomyopathy), severe diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease or hypertension. AND

*Note: Individuals considering the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band®) procedure must meet the above minimum BMI requirement and, in addition, have a maximum BMI of less than 50 :angry :angry :angry

isn't that stupid? it's like they're saying..."if you're not fat enough, you can't have it. if you're fat you can't have it"....but of course they'd pay for the RNY at the drop of a hat!!! why is that? UGH UGH UGH!!!! now i hafta drop 20lbs before i can get the darned thing-easier said than done!

[Shesha 1]

:omg: i remember talking to a few of you re: bcbs anthem-if you want a lapband, you must have a bmi above 40, but below 50. i saw it somewhere and couldn't remember where i saw it....and here it is...right in the policy...

BMI of 40 or greater, or BMI of 35 or greater with co-morbid conditions including, but not limited to, life threatening cardio-pulmonary problems (severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome and obesity related cardiomyopathy), severe diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease or hypertension. AND

*Note: Individuals considering the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band®) procedure must meet the above minimum BMI requirement and, in addition, have a maximum BMI of less than 50 :angry :angry :angry

isn't that stupid? it's like they're saying..."if you're not fat enough, you can't have it. if you're fat you can't have it"....but of course they'd pay for the RNY at the drop of a hat!!! why is that? UGH UGH UGH!!!! now i hafta drop 20lbs before i can get the darned thing-easier said than done!

Oh Chubbola!! You can do it!! Yes, that is weird and I'm sure it's frustrating, but just be happy your insurance will cover it at all and you're not a self-payer like me!

[Candle 11]

You can do it!!!

Count yourself lucky - I have Anthem BC/BS and they won't cover it with my policy AT ALL.

[TINABARTLETT 0]

hi I am Tina and I had a bmi of over 50 of course none of us want the severe surgery so I looked into going to Mexico found an awesome doctor Kelly he banded me all for 7580 and I had the best experience I am now 1 week banded and filled it was great to be able to do the band instead of the more severe e-mail me if you need any info:-)

[HealthQuest 1]

To place the lapband your liver has to be moved out of the way. The larger you are the larger your liver is. This is why the advise to lose some weight before the surgery. Your liver shrinks considerably with only a small about of weight loss. If they're going to do an open placement it would no longer be a lapband (laparoscopic), in which case you're at a higher risk for infection, complications, and thus recovery time increases. Also, the scar isn't pretty, and you're under anesthesia longer.