On another message you said your friend got a reversal from Mail Handlers. Did OPM overturn her denial or did the insurance cover it? At first I was denied because they said the Lap Band was experimental and when I appealed it they said they would cover the Lap Band then but I didn't meet medical neccesity. Even though I have hypoglicemia, atrhritis, back pain, knee pain, shortness of breath and a BMI of 48.9. I did my first appeal in April so that was when they started covering the Lap Band. I've had nothing but trouble with Mail Handlers. This is bad but we only got Mail Handlers becaues they are supossed to cover Obesity Surgery. It doesn't matter though because I will have it. I will just self pay. I'm not going to let someone who doesn't even know me tell me what is best for me. I know I meet medical neccesity they are just a**holes.

I am really surprised to hear that you were denied, but then again I am not near an expert on the subject. It just seems as though people in your situation have been approved. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I am in the same line of thought as you, I am not going to be held back by someone who does not and will not truely know or ever be able to understand how I feel, mentally, phycially or what ever else that may apply. And if I cant get approved by insurance---you better believe that that will stop me from being healthy! Good luck to you and go for the goal!

~Dawn~(preband, still researching in Texas)