Questions for Grand Health Partners patients...

Hi, I'm new to the forum.  Are there any GHP patients out there that are willing to give me some advice?  I'm specifically wondering about any of you that fell below having a BMI of 40 - did you have any difficulties getting approved for your surgery?  My current BMI is 37.1.  I am pre-diabetic, have GERD, and have a triglyceride level in the 600 range.  I emailed the office asking if these were considered co-morbidities, and they said that they were.  I am scheduled to go to one of their surgical orientation seminars in a week.  I tried the medical weight loss program through MMPC last summer, and basically shelled out a lot of money to be miserable and lose 8 lbs.!!!  I just don't want to have to deal with being told that I need to try the medical program again when I didn't have success with it before, and it is not a condition of my current insurance.  Any feedback from those of you who have been through the process would be greatly appreciated!

Hello I had a BMI same as yours and had the sleeve.  My insurance is bcbs self pay they paid it all except my copay and deductible.  I have sleep apnea and high triglycerides.  I think it depends on the insurance.
Mary JO

Hi Mary Jo - I have BCBS also.  I have already contacted them and asked about my coverage.  I guess I was wondering more about the doctors themselves - did you have a hard time getting approved by them because your BMI wasn't 40 or over?  Just curious.  Thanks!

Heather

Your co-morbs are going to be dependent upon your insurance, but none of those you listed would have been covered with my insurance.  Pre-diabetic = no  /  Diabetic = yes.  GERD = no.  Anything to do with cholesterol = no.  High blood pressure for some length of time = yes.  Sleep apnea = yes.  I would have needed at least 2 co-morbs with a BMI between 35.0 - 39.9, and one with a BMI between 40.0 - 49.9, and none with a BMI over 50  (which I had).

I hope that you are researching and considering the VSG.  If you haven't found these other forums yet, there is a board for VSG under the Surgical Forums  -and-  there is a Lightweights (BMIs under 40) Forum under Weight Loss Related.  All of the surgery types are represented on the Lightweights Forum.

I hope that you get through the insurance hoops quickly and get this all behind you!

I, and my mother, went through GHP and have been thrilled....I did medical weight loss and they didn't make me repeat it, so I don't think that will be a problem.  Plus, you are right on the borderline and with your co-morbidities, I am sure they will work to get you approved...I LOVED Dr. Foote and My mother ADORED Dr. Kemmeter....She had RNY (she is one year + out) and I had the sleeve (almost 6 months out), so I think no matter who you get at GHP you will be happy...I would say go to the orientation, what do you have to lose other than 100+lbs...lol...Good luck, keep me posted on how it goes...