Hello! My family doctor said I needed labs done before I had a consult with a surgeon. My thyroid came back at 9.8 (which is apparently not good) so I have to take thyroid meds for 2 months and be rechecked again before I can have my surgery consult. Is this normal? It seems that the insurance paperwork and all would take a while, so I am wondering why I can't get the ball rolling so to speak while I am waiting on my two month recheck. Can anyone explain this to be better?

Thanks in advance.

I think insurance companies all have different pre-reqs as do doctors. I've been on synthroid for almost four years now and I had no problem getting approved for surgery (I have BCBS/FEP).

When they first tested me (back in '04) my level was 27. Normal is between .5 and 5. I'm surprised I could even get out of bed! I hope they can get you where you need to be. Good luck and god bless.

They need to get your thyroid levels under control or you will probably not be able to lose weight even with the lap band. The insurance may not approve you if you have uncontrolled thyroid disease.