I am new to Lap Band, infact I just made a doctor's appt. to learn more about it, as well as I am attending an information night at the obesity center where I live. My question is how hard is it to get approved? I am 20, 5''6, and am about 240 lbs. I figure my BMI is 38.5, but then again I do not know if I have any other issues until I speak with the doctor. I am just wondering how the process of getting approved is. I'm scared I wont be approved and I have tried just about every diet in the world and nothing works. My mom had this surgery done a month ago and has already lost 14 lbs, and is doing well. Anyone who can help me out, I'd be so thankful. I'm very new to all this !

Approval depends mostly on your insurance company's requirements. You need to know what THEY want, and then try to fill those requirements. Good luck!

Like RestlessMonkey said, it all depends on your insurance company. Each company has very strict guidelines as to what qualifies for approval, and some just don't cover it no matter what.

I have Humana, and originally I had to do a 6-month supervised diet before going any further. Thankfully, 4 months into that diet, they stopped making that a requirement. Since my BMI was under 40, I also had to have 2 co-morbidities related to weight in order to qualify.

Call your insurance company, they should be able to tell you what you need. Also check with the doctor's office - my office has an insurance specialist that was very knowledgeable when it came to the different insurance requirements.

Good luck to you!

Before you start sweating details, pull out your insurance card and call the customer service number. They'll need your policy number. Ask them if they cover weight loss surgery, specifically lap band surgery, and what their requirements are ..... Mimimum BMI? Do they require that youre BMI be at that level for a specific period of time? Do they require a supervised weight loss before surgery? What bariatric surgeons are covered by your policy? Are there any specifica limitations on hospitals or outpatient surgery centers? Do they have any required pre-op testing beyond what a surgeon may require?

Once you know those answers, you'll be in a position to know what you're truly facing.

GOOD LUCK.