Hello Im hoping someone can answer some questions from me. I have upmc for you insurance.

I am 275 lbs right now, my bmi is 42, I have no other health problems other than being overweight. Question is if I go under 40 bmi withen 6 months program am I then not able to get surgery? I am in PA and going through hope Bariatrics program, my pre surgical class is June 8th

I also have UPMC for you. And also go through Hope Bariatrics with Dr. Felix. I do not think they will have an issue with that. They want you to try and lose weight while on the 6 month visits to show that you are committed.

Thanks It would just be heartbreaking to lose to much to get the surgery, I have been a yoyo diet person my whole life. I need this surgery

Is it 6 months total? Do you know how long it takes from start to approval?

Well I had a lap band in March of 2013 . My insurance at that time was Aetna. My approval took less than a week. O started having issues with my band in October- November 2014. I didn't see dr. Felix until middle of January. We agreed on revision to gastric bypass. They submitted my info to UPMC and I had approval within a week. I could have scheduled my surgery immediately but I needed to wait until April. I had to schedule around my busy schedule. And school breaks.

Edited May 28, 201511 yr by jdaughe5