Ok my only reasoning for thinking I won't get approved is I'm only 18(19 in sept). I have been overweight all my life. It runs in my family. I'm currently 5'4" and 259 lbs...with a BMI of 44 or 45. I also have a large bust that I'm hoping the lap band will help. I have acid reflux problems, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, and depression. I also have joint pains in my knees and ankles. I have a family history of heart attacks, diabetes, gout, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, cancer, asthma, arthritis, and depression. My mom had a heart attack and a five-way bypass at age 40. She had a gastric bypass a few years ago after they gave her 10 years to live, she had congestive heart, liver failure, and a leaking gall bladder. Still I think the benefits out weigh the risks and I feel I am ready to make a healthy lifestyle for myself at a young age. Do you think I'm a good enough candidate for Tri-care For Life to approve me?

*I also have been just trying to MAINTAIN my weight since I was 8 and to no success. The smallest size i can remember was a woman's size 10 at age 8. Please get back to me on this.

Hi there and welcome. I don't believe age should have anything to do with whether or not you are approved. Under normal requirements, you should definitely qualify.

As for the bust, I don't know. I have been large busted since I was 10, and back then the rest of me was small! Since losing weight, the girls have not decreased in size at all. I think my dh is ok with that though, lol.

All you can do is take that first step and call a surgeon. It was a very difficult phone call for me to make...but I did it and I don't regret it...yet? LOL

I called the surgeon and they told me that I would have to start going to the lifestyle classes for six months. They sent me preliminary paper work and that started the process. I had absolutely no idea that insurance was going to cover the surgery until the doctors office submitted my paperwork for approval six months later.

While every insurance company is different, I can tell you that there were many many young men and woman in the lifestyle classes that I attended. I met a couple of 18-19 year old woman as well.

I say...take the plunge! You can back out at any time but you'll get rolling on accomplishing this goal that you have set for yourself in the meantime.

Ok my only reasoning for thinking I won't get approved is I'm only 18(19 in sept). I have been overweight all my life. It runs in my family. I'm currently 5'4" and 259 lbs...with a BMI of 44 or 45. I also have a large bust that I'm hoping the lap band will help. I have acid reflux problems, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, and depression. I also have joint pains in my knees and ankles. I have a family history of heart attacks, diabetes, gout, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, cancer, asthma, arthritis, and depression. My mom had a heart attack and a five-way bypass at age 40. She had a gastric bypass a few years ago after they gave her 10 years to live, she had congestive heart, liver failure, and a leaking gall bladder. Still I think the benefits out weigh the risks and I feel I am ready to make a healthy lifestyle for myself at a young age. Do you think I'm a good enough candidate for Tri-care For Life to approve me?

*I also have been just trying to MAINTAIN my weight since I was 8 and to no success. The smallest size i can remember was a woman's size 10 at age 8. Please get back to me on this.

They have done surgery as young as 12 from what I've heard. I'm sure you could if you want to. Find a seminar in your area, or talk it over with your peronal doctor, as long as it's not mine, he didn't approve me :biggrin:

The doctors won't have a problem doing your surgery it is a matter if your insurance covers it. Many insurance companies require that you be 21 although, I really don't know why.

First thing is first, see if your insurance covers Lap Bands.

See what the requires are for you to qualify.

See what hoops you have to jump through, you may have to do a medically supervised diet for 3-12 months or perhaps not, each policy is different. Find out what the hoops are and start working on it.

k well on my insurance's website. I qualify for everything. They can't just up and require me to do a diet before hand if it's not written in their policy can they? I heard a lot of people didn't have to do that for tricare.

k well on my insurance's website. I qualify for everything. They can't just up and require me to do a diet before hand if it's not written in their policy can they? I heard a lot of people didn't have to do that for tricare.

Nope, not everyone is required to do a diet. The reason I asked is that if you are required to do a medically supervised diet, the sooner you start the better.

Now that you know you qualify for insurance purposes the next step is to find out which doctors are on your plan and choose one, make an appt. and get the ball rolling.