Hello to all! Just attend an orientation meeting last night with the Memorial Bariatric Center in Michigan with Dr. Tomita’s staff. I found it very informative and with all the research, that I have done it satisfies all the criteria of what you should look for in a surgeon that performs LAP-BAND surgeries.

My concern is INSURANCE. My BMI is between 35 and 36. I have one documented co-morbid condition, which is hypertension. I have conditions that may or may not be considered a threat currently in my life. Meaning classified as a co-morbid condition.

• My mother had breast cancer, which increases my risk for breast cancer and is increased greater because of my weight.
  
• I became a diabetic during my pregnancies (18 - 20 years ago) each time I delivered my babies. No longer, a diabetic, but was told this could re-occur again with weight gain. This has not happen yet, but the writing is on the wall. At this point, I am setting myself up for this disease too.
  
• I have Mito Valve Prolapse. My heart flutters at times. I am sure extra weight does not help this condition. Medication is not needed for this, but I think my high blood pressure med helps.
  
• I am on Paxcil not for depressing but for anxiety attacks. All though I feel depressed because of my weight, which I am sure, you all can relate to.
  
• I am also on thyroid medication. Due to a hypothyroidism condition.
  
• Cancer and heart issues with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
  

I am not sure what the insurance will say. I sure do not like the insurance companies deciding what is best for me.

I have tried so many diets through out my life. The only success I have had is losing about 13 pounds and gaining it back and then some. With this track record I am 100% guaranteed to die early with an aliment that can be contributed to my weight.

At this point, I do not want to wait until my BMI is higher or faced with an additional “better” co-morbid condition. I am already feeling poor health at my current weight.

I am going to continue on this journey. I am sure there will be many obstacles for me to face and overcome. No one said it was going to be easy. I just do not want to hear “NO - YOU ARE NOT APPROVED”

hi not sure im even doing this correctly but i just signed up and yours was the first read wow so many similarities im desperatly looking for support i also suffer from anxiety and take paxil i had surgery 11 days ago feel preety good just so anxious and emotional.

Good luck on your journey. I understand your frustration with insurance but I guess when they pay for the procedure, they get to set the rules. That's why some people don't even bother and just "self-pay". I'm sure you know how to proceed etc so I just wanted to say Welcome! :wink2:

Thank you for your reply. I would love to be able to "self-pay". But, like many of us we don't have that kind of $ sitting around the house.