Went to doctors today and for the second year she asked if I had considered Lap Band surgery. All bariatric surgery scares me but at 100+ pounds overweight, and with health issues....I need to do something. On checking my BCBS coverage, it states that lap band surgery is covered and my cost is zero. Can this be true?

Also what is involved in pre-consultation visits? Do I need to see a psychiatrist first after the surgeon says yes or no?

I am determined to lose this excess weight as I am having problems with my knees and arthritis and everyone is telling me I'm too young to be like this.

Encourage me!!!

HI CUMBFROG. I AM 59 YEARS OLD AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OVER WEIGHT ALL MY LIFE. I AM NOW HAVING SLEEVE SURGERY AND WISH I WOULD OF DONE IT SOONER! I STARTED WITH ARTHRITIS AT 40 YEARS OLD THEN DIABETES AT 51. I HAVE HBP AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF . NOW I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GO THREW WITH IT OR DIE. YOU ARE YOUNG AND STRONG AND WOULD MOST LIKELY COME THREW IT VERY EASY. DO NOT WAIT ! BECAUSE I WAITED AND JUST GOT SICKER AND HEAVIER . 326 POUNDS RIGHT NOW. I WILL BE HAVING MY SLEEVE SURGERY ON NOV 20TH AND START MY POST SURGERY liquid DIET ON HALLOWEEN 31ST OCTOBER...WELL I WISH YOU LUCK AND HOPE YOU MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION....DIANE

Sure, it's possible to be free? Every policy has different hoops to jump through. Typically you need a psych eval, a nut visit or 6 and some blood work? Your PCP has to refer you usually? Sorry, not much help. It'll all be in your policy online.

I had BCBS and had 6 months of supervised nutritionist visits.

My doctor required I go to a 2 hour long consult with his nutritionist along with about 15 others. Then one with him that only took 10 mins.

@@cumbfrog I also have BCBS. The policy we have allowed my band to be free. There are other hidden fees as well, but BCBS paid 90% of those. Your surgeon will give you a list of evaluations you need to complete before they send the whole packet to your insurance company. I had to have a psych eval, a lung / breathing test, a meeting with the nutritionist, and a meeting with their exercise specialist.

Good luck with everything!

Thank you for the words of encouragement.

BAJAGAL1 I am at the almost too late stage also. I am 57 and have two knees that need replacement but doctor won't do it until I lose 90 lbs. I am at 275 now. I have asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure that thankfully is under control. I realize there are always hidden fees, just that I am unemployed at the moment, but this is not a 'OK we'll do it next week deal' so by the time surgery comes around hopefully I will be gainfully employed again!

Well, they say life begins at forty, what they don't tell you is it's with doctors and not the ones who are looking for wives!!

Thanks again, ladies. I will keep you posted.

Cumbfrog,

Never too late. I was 63 when I was banded and I'm going in this Monday for the first of my two knee replacements. I had hoped taking 50 lbs off my legs would delay my surgery or at least mitigate the pain and discomfort but they only got worse. Still a good idea to eliminate as much weight as possible.

Good Luck to you with your new knee! I saw your photos and you look great! You know looking at all those photos of people who have had this done brought tears to my eyes. Don't know if it was the before or the after that did it. I'm thinking the after photos because you see the beautiful people that were hidden in the big bodies.

Alice

I have BCBS and the band is free because I reached my deductible for the year, a lot of the necessary medical tests have also been free. Also the 12 months of follow up visits are included in my surgery package, so all of those are free too! I am doing this purely for my health, I am 56 and it's time to stop messing around after 50 years of trying to deal with this crap.

I too am tired. I see my mother in myself with trouble walking, breathing and no energy to do what I should be able to do. I want to live past 57, I want to have fun with my friends, and this is the help I need. There's no more denying it.