Good morning from Maine!

I joined Lap Band Surgery Discussion Forum because I am looking into getting banded! However, I don't know where to start or if I qualify. I am 27 years old and I will be 28 in December. I have been trying to lose weight and keep it off since 2002. I have tried Atkins diet, south beach diet, and weight watchers. It took me 2 years to lose 60 lbs with weight watchers. After I got married in 2006 we tried to have a baby and I was getting stressed because it was taking so long to happen. So, I gained back about 15 lbs in just 8 months! When I got pregnant I gained a total 70 lbs! I have tried since then tried to lose the weight but I lose 5 gain 5 etc... So, 7 months later I am 5'7" weighing in at 259 lbs I would like to be a healthy 130. When I found out that my insurance company covers pre-op, post-op, and surgery I was excited...However, there are stipulations and now I don't know if I would qualify for the surgery or not! My BMI is 40.6, I have to lose 124 lbs, I have problems with pain in my feet and I am seeing a podiatrist on Monday. I've got Lower back problems that keep me from sleeping well, but this is not diabeates or anything "severe". I am ready to change my life, For ME, and I have a great husband that is going to support me every step of the way!

So, after all that history...should I make an appointment to see my primary care physician and see what he thinks?

As long as your bmi is over 40, most insurance companies will cover your surgery. My first step was to go to a seminar, and get informed. The second thing I did was meet with a surgeon, and than my primary care doctor. I would suggest that you find a seminar first. That is what helped me with my decision.

Welcome Mommy07

Yep the guidelines for most insurance companies are a BMI above 40 or 35-40 with co-morbidities. They may aloso require weight records or diet history but you should let the surgeon's office deal with all that.

Go to a seminar then schedule to meet with your surgeon. He/she should have and insurance coordinator who will look into all of that stuff for you.

Welcome! What part of Maine? You can go to the USA section and click on Maine and they will give you a good idea of what hospitals cover it and you can get some info on where the seminars are. I know that Portsmouth, Maine Med, and a hospital in Bangor do them, but the folks that have already been through it in your area are the real experts:smile:

My numbers (Except the age you are 10 years younger:wink_smile:), but my BMI was just 40, I weighed in at 256 and I'm 5'7" too, with no major issues, the same things like joint/ back pain, but nothing that would be considered a co-morbidity. I just got approved and my surgery is August 1st. My only advise is to go to the seminar and then weigh in ASAP. If you lose too much weight prior to the first official weigh-in, than it might bump you below 40 and you might have an issue with the insurance.

Good luck and let me know if I can help you in any way. Moe

I live in Sanford, in York County. Thanks for all the info. I will take your advise and i am not going to try to lose weight until after I fill out the application.