Is Lap Band considered an elective surgery?

MissMe27 · June 2, 2009

Hello I live in Chicago and I am having Lap Band surgery on June 5 (3 days YAY!)

I am 299 lbs (was 310) and my insurance (BCBS-IL HMO) approved my surgery. At work we have short-term dissability which in the 8 years I've been here have never ever used. My HR person thought that I would be able to use it for after the surgery because I only have 2 sick days left. Well they just called me back and said that if this is an elective surgery that they will not approve my leave. I wasn't sure what to answer, I mean I asked my primary care doctor about it, I brought it up, but he immediately said he thought this would be the best way for me to lose the weight I've battled with for so many years before I develop other medical conditions. If my health insurance is approving this should my short term insurance also approve it?

I know that in a few days I will probably be able to be back at work but because I only have 2 days left I'm worried I wont feel good enough after only a couple days worth of rest.

It makes me sick to think that so many people here have taken leave for "mental health" reasons but this will not get approved? (I only say that because I KNOW some of those "mental health" cases were a bunch of baloney).

Any advice?

Headhunter · June 2, 2009

Yes, under almost all conditions it would be considered elective. If there was some co-existing condition that made it crucial that that you had it, well, you MIGHT be able to use that. But, that would really be a long stretch.

Many, many people have the surgery and are back to work in a few days, even a couple of days. have it scheduled for a friday, if possible, and you'll have the weekend to recover!

HH