Hi my name is Becky and I will be visiting my surgeon for the first time next week. I have a couple of questions.

Just a little backround so everyone doesn't think I'm crazy.

I have been overweight my entire life. Always around 210 lbs and I'm 5'6. Currently my weight is up around 216.

So many can tell from those stats that I'm not falling into the BMI of 40 that my insurance requires.

I'm very excited and think this will be a good fit for me. I am dedicated to being healthy.

O.K. I need to add some pounds on and don't want to eat my way to it.

I really want this but can't afford to pay for it myself.

Please help.:cool2:

Edited July 24, 200917 yr by Becky Lou

Becky, it may not be as simple as just eating yourself to a higher BMI. Your insurance may have a requirement that be at a minimum BMI or higher for a certain period of time. That happened to my friend. Her BMI was 37 and that was the minimum with her insurance company .... BUT they required that your BMI be 37 or higher for two years. Soooo before you go on a see-food diet (I see food, I eat it), check with your insurance company to see what their requirements are!

Your right,

I did my homework and I have UHC and need a BMI of 40 with one co morbity and yes a history of 5 years being overweight. I guess if I go back I do have a weight close to 40 BMI. No diet, or any other evals.

I have Hypertension and am taking a med for it.

Edited July 24, 200917 yr by Becky Lou

Call them back and make sure you don't have to have a BMI of 40 for a specific amount of time. My girlfriend was told she was covered for surgery....but when her paperwork was submitted she was denied because her BMI had been 37 for only about 18 months. They're bad about not covering ALL the details.

Always check with your insurance provider to make sure you know your specific requirements. After that, if you only need a BMI of 40 and are only a few pounds away and dont want to gain the weight, then I suggest you put some weights in your pockets, wear heavy clothes, keep your purse on your shoulder when you get on the scale (mine weighs a good 6 pounds) and drink lots and lots of water right before. I understand being on the fence with the BMI. It's crazy to think that its because your not fat enough. Who would ever have thought??? Good luck!! I hope it works for you.

Thanks so much, I'll give it a try and get back to you.

Or you may want to find a way to shrink an inch or so. When you go in for your initial consult they measure how tall you are, you may not want to stand up as straight as you normally would...:cool2:

yet another good idea

Thanks

mine needed a BMI of 40 or above or a BMI of 35-39 with two occurring co-morbitities. My BMI was 35. So you have to check it out. Best wishes in your journey I like the suggestions above.

Hi Becky-I also have UHC and a BMI less than 40. My BMI was like 37, no diabetes, no high blood pressure. I was so worried I wouldn't get approved. BUT I WAS!!!! The doc's office turned in a record of weights for past 5 years, all less than 40 BMI, some even less than 35. But it showed a gradual increase. He turned in a list of my present diagnose's, which I'm sure most overwieght people experience--cronic back pain, GERD(reflux), MILD Sleep apnea, arthritis, and urinary stress incontinance. Also I reported a strong family history of diabetes and high blood pressure. I dont what the deciding factor was or if the doc's office even turned in the family history. Whatever it was, it worked. My surgery date is scheduled for 8/13/09. Good luck to you. I'm going to reequest you as a friend because I don't want to loose touch. I want to now how things go

Thanks so much for the encouragement. My appt is Tuesday, I'll keep you posted.

I was a little worried about that. I'm 5'4'' 236lbs BMI 40.1

I havn't always been this size. Maybe 4 years?

So tonight I looked up my insurance plan (BCBSNC) and they told me I only to have to have the BMI of 40 for the past 2 years! So yay!

I have the same situation, but I am self-pay. If I was in your shoes, and no co-morbidities, I would put on just a couple of pounds... (I know is not the best advice, but $15-20k out of pocket is not easy either....)

Isn't it crazy the hoops we have to jump through for insurance approval?

Best of luck to you