Hey everyone, new here!

[IwAnNaLiVe 0]

:help:

I am extremely overweight and it keeps getting worse :cry I am 5'5" and 265 lbs. I've gained close to 70 lbs in just the last two years. I tried Phentermine, and lost 15 lbs but gained it right back and the Dr. won't prescribe it again due to my high blood pressure. Heart problems are rampant in my family, and I am already on blood pressure (I'm 31). I can barely play with my 2 year old daughter due to the lack of energy and breathlessness when I do play. It is horrible. I hate looking so fat and hate feeling so out of shape. I want to play, I want to look good, I want to feel good. Since diets hadn't helped, and pills didn't work... I thought the Lap-Band would be a great way to go to help me get down to a more healthy weight. But... here are my problems...

I was anorexic in high school. No problems since (obviously.. unless you consider my overeating another disorder alltogether).

I had post-partum anxiety for about 1 1/2 - 2 years following the birth of my daughter. I was on Prozac (and tried many others before that) for nearly a year. I took myself off of it about 3 months ago and am fine. I am currently on Clonazepam (anti-anxiety) just at night to help me sleep.

I am getting ready to file bankruptcy with my hubby this week, so another problem I'll have is the ability to finance. We don't have the $$$ to self-pay. How much is it, anyway?

Will either of these things make it hard/impossible for me to get the OK for surgery? I've started a new job and my new insurance begins 4/1/07 (it is State Farm's group health plan through Blue Cross/Blue Shield). I'm really praying that they will cover it, as my previous employer's insurance did NOT cover any obesity treatment or consultations. Crappy, I know... you'd think they'd want to eventually stop the HPB meds! And prevent future health problems... but I digress.

I live in Oklahoma, and wondered what I may be up against with my history. Also I wondered if anyone may know about the insurance I'm getting. My current doctor didn't want me to have the surgery when I mentioned it last time I tried to go back on Phentermine... he said I wasn't overweight enough. But the calculations I do say I'm at 44 BMI. Not at all healthy.

I just want to live again. Anyone have any words of wisdom or suggestions??? I can't wait to get to know you.

[Kat817 19]

Hi welcome!!! LBT is a great site for researching the band, and what is has to offer.

Blue Cross Blue Shield differs depending on which state it is from. I for instance live in New Mexico, but have BCBS of Texas, because my husbands company is headquartered there. It also is dependent on whether the company you work for has excluded weight loss surgery---some do, others cover it. My experience with BCBS, is that they usually require 6-12 months of medically supervised weight loss attempts. So they will want you to see your Dr. each month, and follow his directions aimed at weight loss. Then when you submit to insurance, he will have to show where you saw him steadily as required. They also usually require a BMI of 40 or 2 co morbidities---which it sounds like you have covered. They wanted 5 years of documentation of obesity, which can be obtained through any Dr. records, or hospitilizations, any documents where they weighed you.

As for cost it varies, from $10K to over $20K here in the US, and in Mexico you can find it for down in the 7-8k range. financing it might be difficult with a fresh bankruptcy---any way to do it prior? Oh sorry, I just re-read you were doing it this week. Some people have used 401K's, refi'd their houses, e-loans, family loans---all kinds of things. There are some Dr.'s in Mexico I understand who do in house loans for the surgery, but I know nothing about them.

I am older than you by many years, but relate to the want for the surgery. I provide day care for my 2 year old granddaughter. And I can tell you with 90 pounds gone---it is SOOOOO much easier to do! I think about it, and realize, that if I continue this way, she will never remember Granny as being fat!!! I love it! I too was taking 2 meds for HBP, 1 for high blood sugar, and had a massive family history of heart disease. Now less than a year later, I take no meds---my blood pressure and blood sugar, are both normal. I cannot change my family history, but I know if I inherit the artery disease, or heart disease, fighting it at my weight now will be much easier than when I was morbidly obese!

We look forward to getting to know you too---good luck in your lap band quest!!!

Kat

[alicat3924 0]

I am not familiar with bcbs but I understand your wanting the band to be healthy for your child...I also have a 2 1/2 year old and since losing 53 lbs we are able to do so much more together.

I know that with most insurances you have to be on a medically supervised diet for at least 6 months before you can be considered for this type of surgery, have you been going to him for weight related issues for a while? If so I know my ins company just wanted to know what type of medications/diet i was doing for 6 months and my recorded weights for that period of time.

Maybe you could find a surgeon that will let you finance in house. Post a thread and ask members on this board maybe someone can steer you in the right directions.

You are in my thoughts I hope this will all work out for you!!