PWoo10

They also have Monster Milk which has more protien. Check GNC. I love it.

I'm March 15th. Start pre-op March 1st but actually I've already started getting used to the protein shakes.

I'm sorry I have never heard of anyone getting the surgery at a BMI under 35. Mayber if the FDA new guidlines sway insurance to change their minds you will have better luck. I have been trying over 2 years to get a lap band and I'm at 38.8 and I get denied because I only have 1 co-morbidity. Good luck on your journey. Please keep us posted.

Has anyone's insurance changed because of the new FDA guidelines? Does anyone think there is a chance that theirs will? I am BCBS and considered a healty obese person so I can't have the surgery until I shink a couple inches or gain 15 lbs. I stay a set 38 BMI never going up or down and have been here for around 7 years. My doctor did give me adepex for 3 months just one time so I could know what it felt like to be 20 lbs lighter. I was awsome, but of course it came right back. Thank you in advance for your responses.

I'm still patiently waiting. Has anyone heard of any BCBS changing policies yet over the new FDA guidelines?

I have BCBS IL and I was told they are the hardest to approve the surgery. I was denied and next year I am going to BCBS IN so I should have a better chance. Good luck.

I have them and was denied and my doctor called to have a peer to peer talk and again was denied so now my doctors office has attorney's involved. Since the requirements changed I should have been approved. I was told they are one of the hardest insurance companies to get approval from. Good luck I hope your application goes better than mine.

Well my doctors office submitted my paperwork yesterday. Now its just a waiting game. I have BCBS of Illinois and I was told they are the hardest to get to approve the band. Has anyone else heard this? Has anyone gotten them to approve and if so how? Thanks for all your help

I plan on having the surgery on a Thursday before a 3 day weekend. That will give me 5 days off work and only using 2 days vacation.

The want to see a 5 year history of obesity. If you were obese at the beginning of 5 years and you ended that way, chances are you were in the middle also. Hopefully they will see it that way too. Good luck.

Your doctor hopefully weighed you at every visit and that is on your records also. That counts as records of obesity for 5 years.

Divis, do you have medical documents showing you have had a history of obesity for 5 years? Perhaps doctors records? You don't have to wait another 3 years as long as you have records.

My doctors office told me about how hard it is to get BCBS Illinois to approve. She told me I would be denied immediately and then she would call and have a peer to peer talk she has hopes that will work. Nothing has been submitted yet as she is trying to collect as much as possible on my last 5 years of medical history. I have a BMI of 38 so that is why she said it will be hard but since there is a will there is a way. I guess this is one of the hardest insurance there is to get approved. Thats my luck! :tongue2:

Just keep reminding yourself that this is your body and your decision. I also wanted to go with the lap band because it is reversible and not as major as the gastric bypass. I'm not ready to have that type of procedure done. Do not let people make your decisions for you. Research every avenue read everything, keep a folder with all the information you can find in it and find seminars on all the different types of weight loss options. In 6 months you will know what you want to do.

So what do you think after your visit? Are you going to go through with it? If so what did he say is your next steps?

:smile2: Love the first one. Thank goodness that area won't be touched. My first question to the doctor was, What is the average time it takes to heal and be able to resume normal activities. Also ask how many of these procedures has your doctor performed and what is the average weight loss. How long will you be in the hospital is this an outpatient or over-night stay. I know that everyone is a different case and some of us can heal much faster than others you know your body and how much you can handle. Good luck I keep a folder and put everything in it and take it to all visits so I can "jot" down anything I am thinking about and it helps me remember what I want to ask. Also if you forget to ask something don't worry you can call the office and they will be more than happy to answer the questions for you. Alot of us leave the office and say "crap I forgot to ask that one."

Hello from Columbus, Indiana. Good luck and keep us posted.:wink:

Before making the decision to have the surgery you must be ready to make a life changing commitment. I also love food and that is what has got me to the weight I'm at now. Most doctors have you meet with a psychologist and a dietitian. You obviously are aware that you need to lose weight and want to but are you mentally prepared to eat healthy? I am working with a doctor to hopefully be banded in the next few months but until then I know that I should be trying to lose on my own. If you are really ready to change please find a seminar in your area and make an apt to talk to your own personal physician. Your doctor might be the best start at getting the information you need. When you go to the appointments it is always helpful to keep a folder with you so you can collect all the information and to take notes. The people who use the discussion boards are very helpful and perhaps there is someone in your area on the boards who can help you find a surgeon you can be comfortable with. Good luck and if you need some motivation we are all here for you.:wink:

Am I getting my hopes up by trying to get the band if my BMI is only 37.8? I can only get this surgery if my insurance covers it. I have been on a roller coaster of diets for 15 years and I have mild apnea and nothing else. My doctor is fully supportive of my desire to have this surgery but she said she is suprised I am so healthy at my weight. Is there anyone else out there that has gotten insurance to approve with a BMI under 40?:tongue_smilie:

No I can't self pay. My husband is not 100% supportive of this and if I spent that much on it he would just die. He said only if insurance covered most of it then it would be okay and he would live with it but he thinks that being big is okay and is just a way of life.