Hey everyone, I'm new to this. I will be having my first appt with the surgeon on the 30th of December. I'm so nervous. I don't know what to expect. I think the main thing I'm worried about is my insurance. I have blue cross blue shield Illinois. Does anyone have that insurance???? Does anyone know what there requirements are to get approved??? I do know that the BMI has to be 40+ which mines is. I'm just so nervous about the surgery overall.

Good luck with your appt. I to have BSBC,all of my Dr visits, surgery and OR fees were paid except for a Co.pay of $1500.00 which was due to the fact i had not yet met my out of pocket expenses. But i really can't complain considering what it would cost with out insurance. My BMI was a bit below 39 the day of surgery, but i also have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea which insurance companies only require a BMI of 35 or more to be approved for surgery.

Hi I have BCBS IL HMO and the approval process was super easy-took about 2 days. The only hassle is making sure you get a referral from your PCP that covers all visits and the surgery.

My BMI is 42 with no comorbidities

***=H-M-O

I have BCBS of Texas so I don't know if it's the same but my BMI is just over 40 and my approval took about 3 days. No proof of diet. I have to have my surgery at a Blue Bariatric Center of Distinction but it will be covered except for my co-pay. Good luck!

I have BCBS of MN I'm pretty sure they are all the same. Your right on BMI, but like one of them said if you have a BMI of 35 with underline medical issues. I had to have two years of medical records of dieting and of doctor appointments related to medical issues, because of weight. A evaluation of your mental state and readiness for surgery. Six months of dietary. Which some of this may very from state. It took a week to hear, but I checked up after that week and found out Iwas denied, because of how my evaluator worded the evaluation and recommendations she thought I was ready, but the way she worded the evaule made it sound like I wasn't ready, but went back, and she re edited it and a week later I was approved, and I had surgery September 16, 2013. Doing good, but lack of protein, because of never being hungry, skipping meals, and not being able to tolerate most meats. Thighs I can tolerate are dark meat, because of it being more moist, fish, and other protein I can eat are eggs, cheese, nuts, and my stomach can handle chilli even with cheese, homemade is the best, because you know what goes in it. Either the leanest beef or turkey depending on your preference, both are good and I really only can tolerate the meat is if its in something, but if you don't have ingredients or like I do even my mom does which she taught me was make a full batch, and freeze the rest, so if its cold or craving it you have some on hand. We both had weight loss surgery hers was the lap band and she had it long before I had mine. I don't live with my parents and my dad doesn't eat a lot either. We do it in a crockpot, and if you forgot to put everything in the crock pot before you leave for the day, stove is good to, and fast. When I make it I put it all together the night before and the next day I put it from the fridge to crock pot and put on low. If I'm going to be home in the morning, I still put it all together the night before, but cook the meat the day I'm going to cook it. If you can't do homemade, hormel makes some good chilli, and have a variety of different kinds, and sizes, depending on who all is eating. Good luck

Thank you for the information. Its really helpful. Going tomorrow for my sleep apnea test. Then Monday is the app. with the surgeon. Im excited & nervous at the same time. I really do like this app. Reading and having other people comment and give you there experience and support really helps me out a lot.