Ok, help me out here. I am 5'8' and weigh 247 according to the scale at my WW meeting. That gives me a BMI of 37, which is down from a BMI of 40 that I WAS 18 months ago. I have been so frustrated watching my wt go up and down. The stern looks from the WW people when I gain wt again or just lose/gain the same .2 lbs for the 8th week in a row is driving me crazy. So I decided to pursue the Lap-Band. After attending an info mtg, getting stoked from reading this board etc, I talked to my insurance co., got their info (sorta-whole 'nother thread there) but was basically hinted if my BMI wasn't 40 or higher I 'could always gain 20 lbs'..ha ha.... I was appalled. I worked too hard and changed my eating habits to get that 20 lbs off!

I then went about trying to find a doc to supervise my wt loss for the next 6 months. Heres what I got. Screened!!!-:heh: as in screened out by 2 separate doctors becuase 1) my BMI is too low ?37? (oh is that tooo healthy for ya?? 2) I lack a heart condition or diabetes or something thats an easy to pinpoint co-morbidity. Huh? Since when do doctors only take cases that are slam-dunks? Gee I just want to be proactive and STAY ALIVE FOR MY FAMILY and I found out doctors are screening prospective patients because of the kind of care they are seeking.

So my question is this? Should I gain 20+ lbs so I qualify? I can't self pay, but I also can't stand the thought of damaging my body by putting the wt back on!! :hungry: pancakes with Peanut Butter here I come??

:help::help::help::help::help::help::help:

Ok, help me out here. I am 5'8' and weigh 247 according to the scale at my WW meeting. That gives me a BMI of 37, which is down from a BMI of 40 that I WAS 18 months ago. I have been so frustrated watching my wt go up and down. The stern looks from the WW people when I gain wt again or just lose/gain the same .2 lbs for the 8th week in a row is driving me crazy. So I decided to pursue the Lap-Band. After attending an info mtg, getting stoked from reading this board etc, I talked to my insurance co., got their info (sorta-whole 'nother thread there) but was basically hinted if my BMI wasn't 40 or higher I 'could always gain 20 lbs'..ha ha.... I was appalled. I worked too hard and changed my eating habits to get that 20 lbs off!

I then went about trying to find a doc to supervise my wt loss for the next 6 months. Heres what I got. Screened!!!-:heh: as in screened out by 2 separate doctors becuase 1) my BMI is too low ?37? (oh is that tooo healthy for ya?? 2) I lack a heart condition or diabetes or something thats an easy to pinpoint co-morbidity. Huh? Since when do doctors only take cases that are slam-dunks? Gee I just want to be proactive and STAY ALIVE FOR MY FAMILY and I found out doctors are screening prospective patients because of the kind of care they are seeking.

So my question is this? Should I gain 20+ lbs so I qualify? I can't self pay, but I also can't stand the thought of damaging my body by putting the wt back on!! :hungry: pancakes with Peanut Butter here I come??

:help::help::help::help::help::help::help:

My vote but the 20 back on... You shouldn't have to but if you want the band and you want your insurance to pay for it -

OH I just thought of something put rocks in your pockets - they don't weigh you nake at the doctors so wear some combat boots - layers of clothes and rocks in your pocket - some ankle weight under your pant and some on your wrist covered by a long sleave shirt...

Hows that for a great idea !!!

LOL, I actually had that conversation with my husband last night! I said I was wearing heavy jeans, work boots and about 3 shirts with a ton of heavy jewelry, my cell phone, my ipod and that gigantic ring of car keys I carry everywhere in my pockets!!! Well, I think I AM already on my way to doing just that(the 20 lbs). The scale says I'm 4 lbs heavier that I was last week(thats nekked too:nervous)!

I had the exact same issue. My BMI is 37 and they said if I wanted to ensure an approval I should gain weight but I told them that I wouldn't do that. I do have high cholesteral though. They said if I wanted I could go through the program and follow the diet but do not lose weight because it would put me under. I could have made it easier and gain the extra weight but I was afraid I would and then they still tell me no. The docs didn't set guidelines though insurance did. If you are under 40 BMI they want to see the health risks first. If there are none, you still have time to lose it on your own. When thre is a health risk, then it could potentially cost them money later, so they will consider surgery. Every 5 lbs equals a BMI point. You'll have to make the final decision for you and you will make the right one. Unfortunately, you have to want to play the game if you want this surgery and it is not a fun game! Who ever invented should be "shot" LOL. Good Luck

LOL, I actually had that conversation with my husband last night! I said I was wearing heavy jeans, work boots and about 3 shirts with a ton of heavy jewelry, my cell phone, my ipod and that gigantic ring of car keys I carry everywhere in my pockets!!! Well, I think I AM already on my way to doing just that(the 20 lbs). The scale says I'm 4 lbs heavier that I was last week(thats nekked too:nervous)!

thats nekked too:nervous - isn't this the only way to weight

Truely invest in a couple 5 lbs ankle weight - so you don't have to gain it all back - but have a couple of somethings for me - sometimes I miss my old eating habits - not much but sometimes.. - but 32 lbs = 3 10lbs sacks of potatoes that i am not carrying around any longer feels GREAT,

Hey, don't lose hope yet. I was in the same situation, (actually my height and wieght is the exact same as yours!) I had a sleep study done and was diagnosed with sleep apnea and got approved due to the sleep apnea. I am just waiting for a surgery date now!

Good Luck!

At my doctors office they have us take off our shoes, so don't plan on the shoes. But def. but heavy stuff in your pockets. I would def. gain 20 lbs in order to get my band but thats just me.

The chances are that you will put the 20lbs back on eventually anyways obesity is a curse and most of the time the weight will always come back on ! i would most def gain the weight to have the band i know that it sucks but its reality unfortunetly dont be so hard on yourself if you decide to gain the 20 back good luck! :whoo:

Thanks everyone for weighing in on the 20 lb thing. I was appalled, now I'm just planning my attack! Weights, a few more buffets...:hungry::hungry::hungry:

The 2nd thing I was upset about was the 'screening' process these doctors are using that seems to be the rage here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Both offices I contacted told me was that because of the number of specialty clinics in town, your acceptance as a patient was based on what type of care your were seeking.....HUH???????? :faint::flypig: So as of today I've been denied by 2 clinics for reasons stated in my first post.

Has anyone else encountered this? Any medical professionals want to explain this to me? I (obviously) don't know the insurance re-imbursement game very well, but I do know my former PCP is my FORMER PCP because his office wasn't really interested in treating sick people, only people who wanted botox, micro-dermabrasion or lipo-dissolve(for that pesky little fat bump that just won't go away ...,) He isn't a plastic surgeon, but you wouldn't know that from his ads on TV!! Whoops sorry, got a little carried away there. I am just so disgusted with this...

but, I am determined. I will pursue this and I will get my degree in 'jump thru the hoopology' as the bariatric coordinator called it.

Can anyone explain the 'screening'?..

If you get your PCP to recommend a surgeon and get an appointment, they will probably direct you to the specialist you will need to see. I know when I had my first surgeon appointment they gave me a list of requirements I needed to meet, and each had a list of participating docs they work with. Don't give up, just plan your next step!

i have never heard of an office that does that i cant believe how rude! where do you live ? is there anywhere else that you could go even if youhave to drive a ways my surgeon is 1hour away from my home they do explain the benefits and disbenefit of both surgery but you are the one who makes the final decision although my doc only does lap band and not bariatic surgery so im not sure if that is the difference dont give up gain the weight if you need to most likely you will lose it back during your pre op diet so look at it that way lol!:clap2:

You are crazy! LOL! Love the rocks in the pocket idea!

Ok, help me out here. I am 5'8' and weigh 247 according to the scale at my WW meeting. That gives me a BMI of 37, which is down from a BMI of 40 that I WAS 18 months ago. I have been so frustrated watching my wt go up and down. The stern looks from the WW people when I gain wt again or just lose/gain the same .2 lbs for the 8th week in a row is driving me crazy. So I decided to pursue the Lap-Band. After attending an info mtg, getting stoked from reading this board etc, I talked to my insurance co., got their info (sorta-whole 'nother thread there) but was basically hinted if my BMI wasn't 40 or higher I 'could always gain 20 lbs'..ha ha.... I was appalled. I worked too hard and changed my eating habits to get that 20 lbs off!

I then went about trying to find a doc to supervise my wt loss for the next 6 months. Heres what I got. Screened!!!-:heh: as in screened out by 2 separate doctors becuase 1) my BMI is too low ?37? (oh is that tooo healthy for ya?? 2) I lack a heart condition or diabetes or something thats an easy to pinpoint co-morbidity. Huh? Since when do doctors only take cases that are slam-dunks? Gee I just want to be proactive and STAY ALIVE FOR MY FAMILY and I found out doctors are screening prospective patients because of the kind of care they are seeking.

So my question is this? Should I gain 20+ lbs so I qualify? I can't self pay, but I also can't stand the thought of damaging my body by putting the wt back on!! :hungry: pancakes with Peanut Butter here I come??

:help::help::help::help::help::help::help:

I am a low BMI person too, I was heavier, then lost a bit and it put me under the Qualifying limit for Gastric Bypass... So I considered LapBand

Problem being in my country LapBand is NOT covered by any Provincial Health Plan.. So I drove to Toronto (2/12 hr drive) and got the band there by one of the Pioneer Dr's who brought the band to Canada.

It cost me $16k but I took out a loan and my payments are $169/month. I probably save that in groceries..

Plus, like you I was sick and tired of losing/gaining/losing/gaining MORE!! syndrome...

Its a tough decision, but I do not regret mine.

Good luck, a happy Canuck!

Ok here is some thing I did...... I shrunk an inch, although I am 5'8" when every they asked me what my height was I told them 5'7" they just take your word on it. I just figured if they want to play games with my health so would I. My DH has these 5 pounds small weights that I thought about putting in my sweat pants pockets to gain some more weight, but by time I joined my Insurance company I had put on the extra weight I need (not by choice, just happened:hungry:) but with that and me shrinking an inch I was approved. Good Luck!!!!!

Hi all,

I'm from Australia but have been reading your posts. I can't believe how difficult it is for you all to get lap-banded. In Australia you need a BMI of 35, or if you have a BMI of 30 -34 you need a co-morbidity. In some states you can have the surgery done on our public health system - but there is a wait of anything from 6 months to 7 years. If you have private health insurance, about 75% is paid for and you are usually scheduled for surgery within a couple of months.

I am starting the banding process on Tuesday with my first visit to the Nurse practitioner (she is great as she has had the band herself). The following week I see the dietitian and the week after that I see the surgeon and hopeful get a date for surgery.

I wish you all the best of luck with you journey.

Hi all,

I'm from Australia but have been reading your posts. I can't believe how difficult it is for you all to get lap-banded. In Australia you need a BMI of 35, or if you have a BMI of 30 -34 you need a co-morbidity. In some states you can have the surgery done on our public health system - but there is a wait of anything from 6 months to 7 years. If you have private health insurance, about 75% is paid for and you are usually scheduled for surgery within a couple of months.

I am starting the banding process on Tuesday with my first visit to the Nurse practitioner (she is great as she has had the band herself). The following week I see the dietitian and the week after that I see the surgeon and hopeful get a date for surgery.

I wish you all the best of luck with you journey.

G'day Mate!

Wow are you ever lucky that your BANDING is covered so well by insurance there... very progressive.

I don't know why we have to suffer so much here and then to be denied the operation that will SAVE hEALTH CARE $$'s in the long run anyways...

How much is spent on Heart Disease, Diabetes, Arthritis, Knee Replacements, Hip Replacements.... OOur politicians are pretty short sighted !!

Actually my surgeon went to YOUR country to learn how to do the Lap Band;, now he has done 1000's in Canada... but he charges a heafty fee.