What Is The Mimimum Bmi Requirement To Be Eligible For Private Gastric Band Surgery? Is It 28 (As I've Heard) If There Are Other Comorbidities?

[nellietheelephant 0]

I have other comorbidities such as diabetes type 2, PCOS and underactive thyroid. Grateful for any advice. Thanks.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

You'd have to talk to the surgeon, everyone's requirements are different.

[honk 780]

I believe the FDA has approved down to 30 but most insurance will not pay below 35. If you are self pay it would be what your surgeon says is the cut off point.

[radarluv 59]

I have a BMI of 35 and I was approved because I have type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Only those counted. I also have PCOS and HIGH cholesterol which I take meds for. Unfortunately, the latter 2, under MY insurance do not count as co-morbidities. Only the 1st two. I only needed one co-morbidity for my approval, I really hope this gets me off all the meds!

Good luck

[nellietheelephant 0]

Thank you to all of you for your advice. Have booked a private appointment and will be seeing surgeon soon. Cheers, N.

[honk 780]

Nellie, are you here in the US? Your phrasing makes me wonder if you are UK based. FDA requirements are of course for the US only.

[nellietheelephant 0]

I am actually UK based.

[blackcherry2002 5]

Well I have PCOS and an underactive thyroid as well. I have high cholesterol and I think I put down muscle and joint pain as well. Also, I had to put family history down as well and I have heart problems and diabetes on both sides of the family so, maybe keep that in mind. However, I agree with the others but the lowest I've heard of doctor's operating on (or insurance covering) is a bmi of 35.

[Cazzy 725]

Is our English that obvious Honk lol

[Aummie58 19]

I have other comorbidities such as diabetes type 2' date=' PCOS and underactive thyroid. Grateful for any advice. Thanks.[/quote']

I just had my surgery with a BMI of 35. My only significant co morbidity was high cholesterol. I got letters of support from 5 different doctors based on past medical history. I was able to challenge the 10 percent required pre op weight loss since it would have put me below the 35. The support letters and my surgeon made the difference in my case

[honk 780]

I did my junior year at Nottingham University so I may be more attuned. Americans may not have caught the "private" part of the posting. Meaning outside of National Health.

I remember going with a friend to a British emergency room and the signs that read "Are you truly sick/injured" in the waiting room.