I have been thinking about the lapband for quite sometime now. I went to an orientation last week and I am very interested in the lapband. I have only one concern, I have BCBS of North Carolina and I'm not sure if I'll get approved as my BMI is only 39. I'm 5' 1/2", 204 lbs with no health problems. I have tried every diet there is and yet like others have not been successful. I'm ready to change my life, just because I don't have any health problems now don't mean I'm free from them. I'm 41 years old and my mom is morbidly obese and has several health problems. I'm afraid I won't be here to see my grandchildren 1 day. I just don't know what to do, this is driving me crazy.

Plum, for most insurance and surgeons, the "line" is a BMI of 40 or higher does not require any comorbidities. You are well above that line so you wouldn not have to worry about whether or not you have any comorbidities....except to know that you should be able to kiss them goodbye in the future.

Good Luck

I don't know about that, I think if your BMI is above a 50 you will need to have comorbidities. I would check to make sure.

I don't know about that, I think if your BMI is above a 50 you will need to have comorbidities. I would check to make sure.

Parrothead is correct, you need comorbidities for BMIs under 40.

Well today I went for my psych eval, all went well, last about 45 min, nothing to it at all. Now I'm just waiting I guess for insurance approval. Wish me luck and I'll keep you all posted.

Parrothead is correct, you need comorbidities for BMIs under 40.

Yes, parrothead is correct about having to have comorbidities if your BMI is under a 40, but if it's more than a 50, I think that's another story. I believe you have to have comorbidities as well if its over 50.

Thank You all for your insight. I am lucky, and as of right now I have no comorbidities. I go to the seminar on thursday. Hopefull Dr.Enoch and his staff will have the answers my questions. Thanks again!

Yes, parrothead is correct about having to have comorbidities if your BMI is under a 40, but if it's more than a 50, I think that's another story. I believe you have to have comorbidities as well if its over 50.

I do not think so, it wouldn't make any sense anyway. If you don't need comorbidities for a BMI of 40 it makes no sense that they would require comorbidities for an even higher BMI.

I wonder if you are thinking about something else, some ins co's won't band someone with a BMI of 50 or greater and then some won't do DS until you are a BMI of 50. Could you be thinking of something along those lines?

I do not think so, it wouldn't make any sense anyway. If you don't need comorbidities for a BMI of 40 it makes no sense that they would require comorbidities for an even higher BMI.

I wonder if you are thinking about something else, some ins co's won't band someone with a BMI of 50 or greater and then some won't do DS until you are a BMI of 50. Could you be thinking of something along those lines?

Maybe that is what I'm thinking about. Thanks. I hope all goes well for her, like you said it wouldn't make sense for them not to do it. I do think it depends on ones insurance.

I went to the seminar last night. Angelica answered all of my questions. It use to be that insurance would deny you the lap band if your BMI was too high (bcbsnc) but not anymore. Also I just need 2 years documented weight history. I was torn between RNY and the lapband. After much thought, and prayer on my part I have decided for the band.

I went to the seminar last night. Angelica answered all of my questions. It use to be that insurance would deny you the lap band if your BMI was too high (bcbsnc) but not anymore. Also I just need 2 years documented weight history. I was torn between RNY and the lapband. After much thought, and prayer on my part I have decided for the band.

Good for you, I hope all goes well. Keep us posted on how things are moving along for you. I'm still waiting for an approval from my insurance company too. I'll keep you all posted as well.

Good for you, I hope all goes well. Keep us posted on how things are moving along for you. I'm still waiting for an approval from my insurance company too. I'll keep you all posted as well.

Wonderful! That's the good thing about BCBS...they only want two years weight. Good luck with all of the preliminary things. Please udate me as you move along. Congrats! :eek:

Hello, I have BCBS of NC and I am having my surgery done in Lumberton (Southeastern Regional Medical Center). I guess it all depends on the person and the situation, regarding how long it takes for approval. I was approved the same day my doctor sent in the paperwork. My BMI is like 46.6, and I don't have any co-morbidities. I use to get the B12 shot back in 2007 for about 6 months and lost 45 lbs. I had to stop b/c I became pregnant. I had my son Aug. 08 and gained the weight back plus 20 lbs. I breastfed so I could not continue B12, I went to a seminar at SRMC in May and decided to see if I qualified. After doing my pre-testing I was approved on July 1, and have a date for July 31st.

Our plans changed as of July 1, 2009;

$600.00 deductibles

$60.00 co-pay for specialist

$25.00 co-pay for primary

Good Luck to all and pass the word there is an surgeon in Lumberton!!! (Dr. Barry Williamson)

Edited July 5, 200917 yr by cb0828

That is awesome, I am waiting to here from the docotrs office about the preliminary. I guess they are trying to see what insurance will pay. Not sure what they do, they have my insurance information which I gave them when I went to the seminar. Is this when they are asking for an approval. I am not sure but I am tired of waiting(LOL) it has only been a week and couple of days. I am just curious and ready for the ball to get rolling.

Hello, I have BCBS of NC and I am having my surgery done in Lumberton (Southeastern Regional Medical Center). I guess it all depends on the person and the situation, regarding how long it takes for approval. I was approved the same day my doctor sent in the paperwork. My BMI is like 46.6, and I don't have any co-morbidities. I use to get the B12 shot back in 2007 for about 6 months and lost 45 lbs. I had to stop b/c I became pregnant. I had my son Aug. 08 and gained the weight back plus 20 lbs. I breastfed so I could not continue B12, I went to a seminar at SRMC in May and decided to see if I qualified. After doing my pre-testing I was approved on July 1, and have a date for July 31st.

Our plans changed as of July 1, 2009;

$600.00 deductibles

$60.00 co-pay for specialist

$25.00 co-pay for primary

Good Luck to all and pass the word there is an surgeon in Lumberton!!! (Dr. Barry Williamson)

Congrats to you. Do you have to pay anything up front before you have the surgery?

When you went for the seminar and the office sent in the paperwork, how long did it take for them to contact you. I went to the seminar and the paperwork was sent in the same day. I guess I am on pins and needles because I want this so bad. I was trying to get all of these appointments out of the way since we are out of school right now. Looking at about three more weeks before I return to work. I guess i am just rushing the process. I have been so pumped up about this since I attended the seminar. really just want to be healthier and not so heavy. I work in a modified year round school. Next month we go back around the 16, actually it is less than three weeks the more I think about it.

Who did you decide to go through to do your surgery?

Well, I thought that I would be using Dr. Moran in Raleigh but I can't seem to get a call about how much my insurance will even pay. I realize that the holiday may have played a major role in this process and that I am so excited. If I don't receive a call before long I might consider going to another doctor. My emotions on this are rather scrambled right now and don't know which way to go. Maybe I am have not allowed enough time to pass before I should even be considering a change in surgeons. I just want this process to go as smooth as possible. I have already spoke with my insurance company and know that it is covered on both plans.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.