My wife and I have BCBS PPO. I'm 27 years old, I'm 5'10", and I weigh a touch over 300. My knees ache if I stand for too long and I have horrible back pain that I'm no longer able to rehab because I've gotten too fat to exercise and strengthen.

Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that insurance will cover the Lap-Band. To be honest I think I will go through with it even if they don't.

Thanks in advance.

Talk with your doctor. He may be able to help you with the supervised diet or write a letter to the insurance company as to why it is so important for you to lose weight. My insurance co changed it's policy last winter and I didn't need the diet, so maybe yours won't either. Call them and ask. What can it hurt?

I know exactly what you mean about your back. Mine was where I couldn't walk from my front door to my car in the driveway. The only shopping I could do was in stores where they have the electric carts. My left knee is so bad, I have to have it replaced. BUT I have lost almost 60 pounds since I've been banded and Though, the one knee is still really bad,. I can walk a lot further and even handle stores if I have a cart I can lean on. Also, because of my knees, exersizing is hard for me. I have an exersize bike and that is working great for me. It doesn't hurt the knee too much and the other one has improved greatly and it doesn't hurt my back. I try to pedal an hour in the morning and another hour at night. I am pedaling my way down to the Riviera Maya.

I am a newbie here who also has BCBS PPO - Just wondering how others started their process and if anyone has advice on what NOT to do!

Thanks

Mschaffer

I also have bad knees. In fact, I've been told my left one needs to be replaced. (10 more pounds) My back also aches bad. Can't walk far at all. First I thought that my knees were knocking it out of whack, but then figured that it just couldn't support my weight. I have an exersize bike in my living room and pedal at least two hours a day on it. I try for 40 miles. It doesn't hurt my back and my right knee is feeling a whole lot better. So, you see, there is at least one exersize you can do with a bum knee and a bad back.