Hello-has anyone had the gastric sleeve surgery that has been close to 40 for bmi...I am 5 ft 6 and have occasional high blood pressure.. I'm afraid insurance will deny me since my bmi is kind of low! Anyone experience anything similar to this?Im going through the process and surgery is scheduled for 1/15.. I'm scared of insurance rejecting me! Insurance is Capital Blue Cross

I have Federal BCBS...they required a 2 year weight history because I was at 35 BMI...if I would have been 40 - they would have approved without the hurdles of meeting the 2 year BMI req, diet program for 3 months, etc.

As long at youre at 40 at the time ins approval is req, you should be ok...but just to be sure, maybe you could live it up until then? That may be bad advice, but if I had to be 40 BMI, then I'd do whatever I had to do to make sure I stayed at that BMI so that I could be sure I'd be approved.

Good luck!!!! :-)

I'm in Sydney, Australia. My BMI is around 37. dr approved surgery due to having PCOS.

I'm in Sydney, Australia. My BMI is around 37. dr approved surgery due to having PCOS.

Hi Mary!

I'm from around Sydney too, just curious who your surgeon is and where you found them? And have you already had your surgery or are you still waiting for it?

I was under on my BMI and I weighed in with my shoes and coat on and my purse and a bag of books under my coat.

The nurse knew that I was just doing this for the numbers on the paper work and didn't say anything. I am not necessarily recommending this, but it did work for me.

I was approved with BCBS of Kansas City with a BMI of 37 and a crap ton of medicated, but not completely controlled co-morbidities, (high BP, asthma, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, joint pain due to hip displasia). I did have to do the 6 months Dr assisted weight loss attempt, (I gained a bit). Was approved in about 2 weeks. I'd have weighed with rolls of quarters in my pockets if I thought I needed to!

Haven't had it it. I've had consultations with a few Dr's just to see who I feel most comfortable with. I'm trying to decide between Prof Lord at St Vinnies Private and a couple of others.

Jacksmom91213....I have Capital a Blue Cross also. I too have a BMI below 40 but I also have sleep apnea. I'm almost done with my first month of dietician monitored diet(dr required - not ins). I'm also afraid of being denied but I spoke to someone who got approved by CBC with just having high cholesterol and she looked under 40 BMI also. I haven't been scheduled yet. I see the Surgeon in two weeks. (Dr. DiMarco). Where are you having it done? Hope we both get approved!

After consultations with a few really well respected Dr's, I ended up going with the one that I felt safest with - he was actually my GP's preferred too.

I ended up having gastric banding 3 days ago rather than the sleeve, Dr ran through stats and explained the pros and cons of both - I liked the reversibility and the fact a lot more of these procedures have been done so it's a bit more of a predictable path.

Good luck to you guys, I'll head over to the banding section now to find my feet!