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I am going to have lapband (if insurance lets me), but I haven't even takled to my doctor yet. My husband says that I have to have a condition, ie...high blood sugar, high blood pressure, before I can get the procedure. My b.m.i is 41. I'm 5'5 and 240lbs. I think I can get it. Who is right??:confused:

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I have no other co-mobidities. No apnea, hbp, etc. I was approved within one day of sumitting to insurance. My bmi is 40

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Only the insurance Gods will be able to tell you for sure. I wouldn't have been approved---I was required 2 co-morbidities. Which I had---but it was on the list of requirements.

1. BMI of 40+

2. Minimally 2 co-morbidities and had a list of about 12

3. 5 years of medically documented morbid obesity

4. 12 consecutive months of medically supervised weight loss attempts, coinciding with bi monthly nutritionist consults.

Some of this was standard BCBS of TX. The remainder was added by my husbands employer in regards to WLS.

Each insurer, and each employer has different guidelines it seems like.

Good Luck---call them---the # should be on the back of your card---if they say you do not qualify--ask for a copy of the requirements, so you can look it over yourself. Take detailed notes of what they say, when you called, who you talked to etc. Document EVERYTHING--in great detail!!!!

Kat

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Kat is right, each company has its own guidlines. Mine was BMI of >35 with at least one co-morbidity or a BMI of >40 with no co-morbidities. I have UHC. I was approved and had surgery 5 weeks to the day I had my innitial consultation.

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Each insurance company has it's own requirements, HOWEVER, many doctor's offices are well aware of each insurance companies, (and each plan, rider, etc) policies. Why not just schedule a consult? Your doc can tell you everything you need... calling your insurance company was a great idea as well.

Good Luck!

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It took me over a year to get approval from my insurance because I didn't have any medical issue. Except that I saw the hand writing on the wall with my mother with her health issues. And knew it was just a matter of times. I just kept at it till I got approved. It was the best thing I ever did. My husband, mother and best friend have now all had it done. It has been year and half and have lost about 75 lbs, and have much more to go but as I tell people I didn't put it all on in two years. Just keep working on getting you insurance to approve it.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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