Gastric Bypass Surgery is a Pre-Existing Condition

[crosswind 134]

Believe it or not, I just got off the phone with a phone sales rep for Blue Cross Blue Shield Nebraska. I am applying for an affordable single policy now that I'm divorced and now that my kids have flown the coop -- and I told her I was considering weight loss surgery and I wanted to know if emergency serviices connected to surgery were covered.

She said that if I had had gastric bypass surgery already, I would be considered UNINSURABLE by Blue Cross Blue Shield Nebraska. This is for gastric bypass surgery only. I told her I was not going to get gastric bypass surgery, but something called a vertical sleeve, and she said, well, that's a little different. But she did state several times that if I attempted to get private insurance after having had a bypass I would be UNINSURABLE.

Just FYI. What are those poor people doing if they need insurance after their bypass?

[snowfie9 6]

I can totally believe that. There are a lot more long term complications to gastric bypass than is common knowledge. It's just one of the many reasons I'm opting for the sleeve.

[crosswind 134]

I can totally believe that. There are a lot more long term complications to gastric bypass than is common knowledge. It's just one of the many reasons I'm opting for the sleeve.

That's what the lady said. She said there were just too many expensive complications later down the road. Good to know, eh? Although the reason the sleeve isn't covered by a lot of insurers is because it's considered experimental.

[doggz109 41]

That's what the lady said. She said there were just too many expensive complications later down the road. Good to know, eh? Although the reason the sleeve isn't covered by a lot of insurers is because it's considered experimental.

In my opinion the only reason the sleeve is considered "experimental" is because of lobbying by the people who make the Lap Band. Just my two opinionated cents.

[former_vbg 198]

In my opinion the only reason the sleeve is considered "experimental" is because of lobbying by the people who make the Lap Band. Just my two opinionated cents.

I couldn't agree with you more. I've been to 3 different seminars and it's quite clear that lap bands are a big money maker. They can be done in under 2 hours, plus they get the additional "royalties" from the fills/ unfills for god knows how long.... The surgeons not pushing the band are still pushing the GB, and love the idea of trying to convince their patients that if they don't buy the supplements from them they may not get what their body needs- basically scaring them into buying more expensive supplements they could just as easily buy from GNC or their local CVS....

Whatever happened, "do no harm".... what a croc

[crosswind 134]

In my opinion the only reason the sleeve is considered "experimental" is because of lobbying by the people who make the Lap Band. Just my two opinionated cents.

Eh, they need ten years of history before they make a final determination. There's that for the lap band but not for the sleeve. But personally after reading all the "nonfatal' problems there are with the band I'd rather just sleeve and be done. Why would I want an "adjustable" stomach?

[snowfie9 6]

A lot of insurance companies cover the sleeve these days. It's becoming more mainstream but it is a process.