so my insurance has three requirements before they will cover the surgery 1.)BMI 40+ 2.)morbidly obese for the last 5 years and 3.)21 years of age and above.

since I'm only 19 and have no medical reason YET my DR told me today that she will not recommend me for it but she send them a letter saying that i have requested it. now how is that any different from me saying it? if the insurance company requires a Dr recommendations then why bother to send a recommendation from me??? I'm not a doctor!!!!

well in the mean time I'm drinking more water than i ever have, I'm buying a bodybugg and i started parking really far away from where ever it is I'm going. i figure thats better than nothing

Why don't you adapt some of the bandster ways.

Not drinking with or 1 hr after meal.

Upping your protein.

Perhaps lowering your portions.

It's all stuff you would have had to do anyways, so why not give it a try now.

Good luck and hang in there.

I would ask your friends that have had it done which dr they went to. If that doesn't work, find a dr who specializes in weight loss. In my area, I did the latter. He recommended it immediately, set me up with an appt in L.A., and within 4 weeks or so I had it done. I would definitely fight the age discrimination, in writing yourself and from a doctor; even people who understand your condition like a parent may help. If the insurance co believes it is going to have to pay for your back treatment they may elect to do your lapband early.

i go for my consult with dr shena at nortons on july 1st so ill bring it up then thanks now i have a reason to still go!!!!

oh and AJONEEN, i have tried the no water with food thing for the past two days. im goint to keep going with it and im going to try and get a scale this weekend so i can see what amount of food satisfies me so that im not stuffing myself. thats one of my biggest problems is that i eat until i hit miserable. and then i go lay down so im goint to take care of both of those. i dont know about the protein tho cause thats only if im not getting enough and since in just cutting back i think ill be fine. thank you guys so much i dont know what i would do with out all the advise and support i get from every one.