Hello Everyone!

I'm a 31 year old man from Houston looking into getting Lapband WLS sometime soon. I feel like I have tried everything. I'm tired of not feeling like myself. I haven't gotten approval yet, but am looking forward to seeing what my chances are.

I have around 36 BMI and was wondering if anyone has had success getting WLS/Lapband at that BMI. I have a lot of the conditions that go with being obese; Hypertension, sleep Apnea, High Cholesterol, and definitely some self-esteem issues. I also have a fatty liver which I am not sure hurts or helps my case.

I also wanted to see if there are any men out there that can let me know what the experience was like for them, though I would also love to hear from the women on their experiences as well.

Seeing all of the success everyone has achieved gives me great hope this is the tool I need to make my weight loss successful.

Any and all feed back is much appreciated!!!

it really depends on your insurance requirements... my insurance requires a 6 month supervised diet....in that time you are doing other things too like a psych eval, nutrionist appts, etc....it all really depends on what your insurance will require. Don't worry though, I know that sounds terrible to have to wait another few months but it really does go fast! The best thing to do would be to call your insurance company, find out if it is something that they cover and if they do have them send you their requirements for surgery. If you are selfpay, you will have the surgery very quickly....

Hello Everyone!

I'm a 31 year old man from Houston looking into getting Lapband WLS sometime soon. I feel like I have tried everything. I'm tired of not feeling like myself. I haven't gotten approval yet, but am looking forward to seeing what my chances are.

I have around 36 BMI and was wondering if anyone has had success getting WLS/Lapband at that BMI. I have a lot of the conditions that go with being obese; Hypertension, sleep Apnea, High Cholesterol, and definitely some self-esteem issues. I also have a fatty liver which I am not sure hurts or helps my case.

I also wanted to see if there are any men out there that can let me know what the experience was like for them, though I would also love to hear from the women on their experiences as well. :scalesno:

Seeing all of the success everyone has achieved gives me great hope this is the tool I need to make my weight loss successful.

Any and all feed back is much appreciated!!!

Welcome aboard - there is a bounty of information on this board and people are more than willing to share. There is also a "Just For Us Guys" forum sticky under the General Lap Band Discussions area. Feel free to join in. Me personally - I am being banded next week, in fact by this time next wednesday I will be banded. The preop stuff varries from surgeon to surgeon but i suggest that you start by going to an information seminar and see if you like the surgeon before going in for a dr visit. I went to two different ones before I found my surgeon. Feel free to ask away on this or anyother forum and welcome again.

Typically - the requirement for lapband surgery is a bmi of 40 or more. That being said often times it is done with bmi's a lot lower with additional comorbidities like you mentioned in your post. If your insurance covers the procedure contact them for exact requirements. If you are self pay - contact the surgeon and ask them what their requirements are.

Fatty or enlarged liver actually can pose a problem for the surgeon to work around when placing the band. Often times surgeons will require a preop liquid diet to shrink the liver for just this case. I am presently on day 4 of the all liquid diet and have lost 10.5 lbs so far so i feel it is a great jumpstart to being banded next week!!!!!

Great, thanks for the info!

Bad news, it looks like my insurance only covers this is you have a BMI of 40 or more. I coudl have sworn when I spoke with someone early last week they said 35 or more with comorbidities...

Bad news, it looks like my insurance only covers this is you have a BMI of 40 or more. I coudl have sworn when I spoke with someone early last week they said 35 or more with comorbidities...

Can you appeal their deicision based on your co-morbidities? I think this is ridiculous. There are some people with no other health issues over BMI 40 and they can qualify but if you are under you have to suffer. Makes no sense, it should be based on the whole picture. I am in the same boat as you, BUT regardless my insurance doesn't cover lap band anyways and I am not doing GB....

So will you self apy if you can't beat the insurance company?

Yes, if insurance denies I will self-pay, but it just wouldn't be as soon as I like.

I agree and based on those health conditions my insurance may cover it. I'll just have to see at my consultation.

Thanks for your response!

Bad news, it looks like my insurance only covers this is you have a BMI of 40 or more. I coudl have sworn when I spoke with someone early last week they said 35 or more with comorbidities...

Dont give up...My insurance company originally denied me, and my dad wrote the insurance company a letter saying that I qualify for the band according to all their requirements listed in the policy, so their is no reason I should have been denied according to those standards...LITERALLLY one month later BCBS sent me a letter saying that they sent all my information sent from the doctors and my appeal letter to a board of directors and they overturned the decision and would pay for EVERYTHING.

Just because the insurance company says no the first time doesnt mean you cant fight them about it, and they wont overturn their decision.

Oh yea...they denied me back in February, overturned it in March, I was banded in May....Thats how fast the whole thing was.

But I think you should look over your insurance complany's policy regarding the band, and if you qualify according to the recommendation of your physician and psychologist, in additition to meeting the requirements of your carrier, write a letter appealing their decision. It may just make a difference.

My situation is pretty close to yours. I am 30, had the lap band done 3 weeks ago. My BMI was 41. I have lost 15lbs since the pre op diet. However, I have only lost 1 pound in the last week. This is a procedure that requires patience. I have already had a lot of ups and downs but don't regret it. I wish you luck.

Thank you!

Spivak is awesome! Good luck and hopefully you will get banded soon

Welcome and good luck!

How are you doing today? I am feeling good....what are you eating?