Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Im going to be scheduling my surgery tomorrow! My insurance isn't going to pay. Sucks, but I've got to do this! Looking to have the surgery around Columbus Day. :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

From what I know, your BMI is not high enough to warrant insurance paying for it. It would be considered more cosmetic than for long term health. The insurance companies have all of this data and studies and know when they can save money over the long haul if someone is over 40 BMI

The LapBand is not a miracle cure. You have to work hard with this wonderful tool to make it work.

Whatever you do don't try for the 40 BMI, go the other way!!!

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My insurance won't cover the surgery if your BMI is below 40 - period. I have co-morbidities and am at 37.8... so my insurance said no way... gain 30 lbs and sure!

Luckily, I have a wonderful surgeon and his staff ...who let me weigh with my purse... and a 25 lb weight. ;D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Brraaainnss,

If it's true that they let you weigh with your purse and a weight, that's insurance fraud and you both can be prosecuted for knowingly committing it. You might not want to advertise that.

Personally, I don't know that I'd want a surgeon that has no problem with knowingly committing a crime.... but that's me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The surgeon himself doesn't know about it, eesh.

I've seen it mentioned on this forum more than once or a dozen times that people are allowed to help their BMI in one way or another.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Many insurance companies require that you have a BMI over 40 for 6 months to a year. And have the medical documentation to prove it.

Holding your purse or weighing with your shoes on is one thing but adding a 25 lb weight to your purse is insurance fraud. If your insurance company ever does an audit of your case (which they can since they are required to do random audits) they'll be quite surprised to see that you lost that excess 25 lbs and more immediately after the surgery. I would be very careful.

Unfortunately I have a BMI of 39 and have to pay out of my own pocket. But I'm not willing to get fatter and wait a whole miserable year to get my insurance to pay.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Liz R

      Trying to update my ticker - I'm down 100 pounds!! 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • alisasings

      I joined BariatricPal in 2008 & I FINALLY made the descision to have WLS!! I'm so excited & not sure what I need to do to get the ball rolling, but I made an appointment with my PCP for 7/19. It's a start I guess.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Elnaz

      Losing weight is my dream
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • OhMyGawdItzKla

      I joined yesterday when I was struggling with this preop diet... 
      It typically comes and goes, the hard times and easier times. I'm on day 6 of 14  shakes, water, sf Popsicles and jello. And I might actually be losing my mind. But, oh dear lord has the fear set in. Not about the surgery itself, but life afterwards. If I feel this crappy on the preop diet, am I going to feel like this forever after? 
      I know most of the answers are no, not forever. It might be worse after for a while, then get better. I know it's a more of a mental challenge than physical after the first couple weeks of healing. I get all of that. But I'm starting to feel scared about losing myself afterwards. 
      It might be my hormones or desire to chew something salty talking.. It may go away soon or tomorrow.. I can hope, anyway. But right now.. The fear is real. 
       
      And this liquid diet can bite me. 
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Fear is normal, but if it makes you feel any better, I'm 4.5 months post-op and the pre-op diet was by far the hardest part of the whole process. There will be challenges and a lot of new things to learn, but I can honestly say at this point I feel so much more "back to normal" and was even able to go on a week-long vacation with my kids without stressing over it. It's so worthwhile.

      2. OhMyGawdItzKla

        @NickelChip This actually does make me feel better! Thank you so much! After the onslaught of Covid, we've all had to deal with a "new normal", so I know it's possible. It's just the fear and frustration in this moment that makes me question if I can find another "new normal" afterwards. The thought of just a few more months seems daunting some times, but I really do appreciate input and real experience. I'll use that to get me through for a few more hours! LOL. Thank you so much! And I'm glad everything is going so well for you! ❤️

    • mamabear30106

      I started my 10 day pre op diet yesterday I need flavor!! I'm not big on the chocolate protein shakes so I just got to use up what I have was thinking about freezing it to make it like a ice cream so its something I can chew a little. Idk this is hard but I know I can do it just need to find new things to try 
      · 1 reply
      1. JennyBeez

        You can try. I've read other people have had good results with protein-shake popsicles, etc. My personal experience with it? Sucked.

        I tried making 'fudgesicles' with a couple different flavors of a premade shake, as well as a protein powder I blended myself and all of them came out revolting? The powder ones, all the protein sunk to the middle; the premade shakes, the popsicle had a disgusting texture and the protein seemed to leave a weird fluffy film on the outside? I couldn't stomach it.

        Maybe look into flavoring additives? I was able to have sugar-free coffee /soda syrup flavorings, sugar-free drink flavorings and baking additives like almond, rum or pepperment extract. The extracts helped me the most as they added no extra sweetener.

        On the other hand, if you can get your hands on an unflavored/unsweetened protein powder, the syrup flavorings are perfect. I love to use Boost "Just Protein" (which is unflavored) with milk and a Chai-flavored sugarfree syrup.

        Good luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×