Allergan says I don't qualify for surgery ... WTF?

[Julia_N 2]

:eek: I requested info from Allergan's Lap-Band site. I requested it by mail. Instead of the kit, I got a letter from the VP of marketing telling me that I don't qualify for Lap-Band surgery and offered me a bunch of Web sites with nonsurgical alternatives. As many of you probably know, to request a kit you have to punch in your height, weight and age and it tells you your BMI. According to the site, you need a BMI of 40, or lower with co-morbidities. My BMI is around 49. Seems like that is right in the range. Anyone else get a letter like this?

(I realize Allergan doesn't make the decision on whether my insurance company or doctor approves the surgery. It's frustrating that I won't have anything to bring to my doctor Thursday when I have my first visit to get the ball rolling.)

[Sue Magoo 71]

Julia:

That doesn't make any sense at all.

Your doctor will probably have some literature you can take with you.

Good luck with your appointment.

Sue

[Tally 0]

Julia,

lol, I got the same letter in the mail and I thought the same thing! My BMI was 39.44 but still I have 3 co-morbidities (gotta love that word huh? NOT). I was like, gee, thanks for the kit guys. I am self pay so I don't have to worry about the insurance company but I wanted the kit because it sounded like it would be helpful. I wonder if they even have kits, maybe they just send everyone a dear John letter.

Deb

[sharona 2]

they don't make the decision....go to the surgeon and get a consult...it is my understanding that you need a BMI of 40 without comorbidities and 35 with them...unless your 16 years old it would seem that you would qualify...good luck

[amonroy 0]

I got the same letter too lol, I thought maybe I made a typo and put in the wrong information when I had to put it in the website. I just threw it away and went to the doctors instead.

[slinkymalinky 0]

Sounds kind of fishy to me....I wonder if there's a problem with the site security, and the letter you got was not really from Allergan but from a third party? Seems to me if I had a company, I would do my best to promote my product, not turn people away and point them in the direction of other alternatives. Just a thought!

Anyway, I would imagine you should be approved - good luck at the doctors!

[HeatherO 7]

If everyone is getting these letters and they obviously qualify, I would have to think they are having prolblems with their website. Also, as everyone says, they don't make the decision anyway, it is the doctors and the insurance companies.

[Julia_N 2]

Thanks, everyone. I guess Allergan's computer must be turning that first digit of everyone's BMI to a 1! If only it were that easy. :eek:

[juliegeraci 7]

Julia, this is totally bogus. My BMI was probably lower than yours and I'm banded. I would go to the doctor and talk to them. They should be educated enough to know what the lapband is. Good luck.