Becky Lou

OK Four months ago I did the same thing. I had a BMI of 35 but needed 40 for insurance to pay. I put on 15 pounds. I couldn't gain enough weight so when they asked me how tall I was I took off 2 inches. That helped. Kinda... So my insurance denied me right away saying not a high enough BMI. I am lucky enough to change to Bc/Bs as of the first of the year I need a BMI of 35 with HTN.. I have it. Yahoo. I just finished my Phych eval on Tuesday and will be getting the rest done after the first of the year. I am praying all goes through. Am I extremely overweight no, but this is something I want and need. How much weight would you have to put on?? and you can always put some rolls of quarters in your bra. Good Luck.

My girlfriend has had hers for about 7 years and still loves it. She is still very thin and feels great. We just talked the other day about it and she said it's now a simple way of life and doesn't think about it anymore. I'm hoping on having the band placed in Jan or Feb 2010.

well I just got off the phone with UHC DENIED!! I'm so upset. I'm going to call the Dr. Office and see if they can do a Peer to Peer conference call. Reason for denial is low BMI must have a 40 I'm at 36.6.

yzplnxg, Any luck yet, I have UHC Choice as well and have been waiting since July 26th. I'm so nervous. My BMI is 36 and I have HTN, back pain, knee pain, ect. the plan calls for a BMI of 40 but they did tell me it was going up for review but has not been denied. I have a strong family history of Diabetes, HTN, High Cholestol ect. so I'm hoping that will help. Please keep us posted I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Good Luck!! yzplnxg yzplnxg

I have UHC with the requirement of a BMI of 40 with a 5 year History. I went to my consult about to weeks ago and have a BMI of 36 with HTN, Back pain and High cholestrol. So I called UHC today and the Customer service person said they received the letter of medical necessity from the Dr and that it is in pre determination. He told me it looks like I don't meet the requirements because it states you have to have ALL the requirements and myBMI is only 36. Is it up to him?? Does he really know? I'm so dissappointed I could just cry.

Did you ever get approved for your band??

I just called the insurance company UHC and they have no information for my pre dertermination yet. I had my consult last Tuesday and discussed with the MD that I would like to be cleared by insurance before I spend all the money on the additional testing. He agreed and said things would be sent to the insurance company right away. Almost one week pasted and nothing.:biggrin: Has anyone else done it this way? do you think this will make my chances of approval less?

O.K. I had my first Doctors appt and everything went pretty good. I tried to add some weight on in my purse to up my BMI. Didn't work they made me leave it in another room. :biggrin: Well I have a BMI of 36 and have HTN and high Cholesterol. I have decided to hold off on the testing until my insurance either approves or denies me. I have UHC so I'm so worried it not going to go through. so how long does it usually take? Please say a prayer for me.

Well good luck, like many say call your insurance and ask them what they cover. I have UHC and they explained everything to me over the phone.

Honsetly I gained 10 pounds for the appt. The only bad thing is yesterday I wanted it and today I want it gone. I did the weigh in and now I'm on a diet to get these pounds off, the ten extra makes a difference on how clothes fit and how my general health feels.

If you need to add weight I would place weights in your pockets and even in your bra. Just don't let them see them.Shhhhhh LOL

I Know, I'm just so close to the cut off. Normally at the Doctor I would take everything off if I could.

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:

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

yet another good idea Thanks

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

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.