jillybeano

I am also in the open enrollment stage at work and have a choice between Aetna and United. Aetna definitely says 40 BMI but the guy at United told me 38 BMI! If I have to gain 15 pounds to be at 40 BMI, I'll do it, but I am going to sign up with United in the hope that 38 is accurate. Unfortunately, United cannot give me any documentation until we actually enroll. Which stinks.

It seems like so many people have gotten the band without all of this. My insurance company says they require it... I would love to hear what really goes on here...I had a friend who applied for the procedure and had it done within 2 months. Clearly she didn't have the 6 months diet program. Any words of advice?

Thanks so much to everyone...

I really appreciate your advice. THANK YOU!!

That's very interesting, thank you. Do you have to actually lose any weight during that time? A friend said that they want to make sure that your body is able to lose weight... And what if my BMI gets lower than the 40 requirement? Will they still cover me? I hate all of these questions!

Just let them know that the temptation is hard for you to pass up, yet it will make you sick if you don't. Why are people so rude? Good for you that you got it done and are getting healthy!

I have been looking into this surgery for several months now and am finally ready to delve headfirst into really making it happen. I need to gain 18 pounds to have a BMI of 40, in order for the insurance to cover it with no additional conditions. I am willing to do that if I have to, in order to get it covered. My question is, if the doctor says I have to lose a portion of weight before the surgery, what's the point in having gained the extra weight to hit the 40 BMI score? Do they cover you based on what you weighed the first time you went into the doctor? Is the "pre-surgery weight loss" strictly for the doctor, or does the insurance company say, "Hey, you're not a 40 BMI anymore, now we won't cover it." That scares the heck out of me!