I am new to this group, and so happy I have found you all. I have struggled with my weight for many yrs, and finally decided to do something about it. I recently started the process to get the gastric sleeve. My BMI is 35.9, I have pre-diabetes, and other weight related issues. My insurance requires 6 months of nutrition visits which I have completed 1 so far. I'm nervous that my insurance (Highmark BCBS, Community Blue Flex) will not approve, but my Dr seems quite confident that it won't be a problem. Has anyone else had low BMI and approved coverage.

Hello! I am also new to this and this is the very first time I have even commented or posted. I too have a low BMI (35) and I have sleep apnea. I have no other issues. I have completed all the test and procedures, except for the endoscopy which I am having on Wednesday. My insurance requires 6 months of PCP visits also, however I actually started seeing my PCP for weight loss issues back in March, May & July, so my surgeon is going to submit those months to see if my insurance will use those months towards my 6 months of supervised WL by my PCP. My first visit to my WL surgeon was in October. I saw my PCP in October and again last week.

Since I am not required to loose any weight before my surgery (since I am at the low end of BMI) my surgeon office said we could try to see if my insurance will approve me with the previous visits I had prior to my consult for WLS.

So, to get to your question- yes, my BMI is low/1 risk factor, but my surgeon feels confident I will be approved. I just hope he is right and also that my insurance will take the previous WL visits I had prior to my initial consult for WLS. Worst case, I'll have to complete all 6 months in a row, so that means I'll have to wait until March 2016 to submit my papers for approval.

Glad to hear there are others haha! Sometimes it hard to not have anyone to relate to. I had my first nutrition visit last month, and I go for my next one Dec 28th. My insurance doesn't require I lose weight either I hope your insurance counts your previous weight loss visits. I was bummed about having to wait, but I think for me it's better so I have time to prepare for the new lifestyle. Good Luck on your journey!! We must keep in contact!)

I have a BMI of 35 and was recently approved by Aetna. I also have high blood pressure that is controlled with meds but no other conditions.

Congrats!!! Keep us updated with your surgery:)

Hi new here. I have pomco insurance and they required 6 months also of counseling. Nd my nutritionist said 3 months in that she would approve me now if she could I asked her if there was any way around it she said to call liz( person that deals with submitting paper work to insurance) and 2 weeks later she said I was approved my bmi was also low @ 36 and I thought I wasn't gonna be approved either. But my surgery was 2 1/2 weeks after she told me I was approved so it was on sec 2nd and I came home today on Friday dec 4th

Wow!! Congratulations!! How are you feeling?

Hello I was wandering if you could help me some questions

Sure..

Hi. I am also new here. BMI of 35, in the process to hopefully get a sleeve.my insurance doesn't cover my surgery, so far they are covering my pre-op stuff. I went to my first support group and felt uncomfortable since most of the people were over 300 to start. Any idea how people on the low end of BMI do with total weight loss?

My friend had a low BMI and has lost 65 lbs in the last 8 months. She looks amazing, and more importantly she feels amazing:)