Any suggestions?

I have state bcbs/blue options ppo any one that has that please answer,and I have my documented weights for past 10 years or so, do they want a recent diet that was medically supervised? I have one from 1998 that was 9 months long lost 71 lbs but gained it all back of course. I go to my ed class at hickory weight loss clinic March 27> I have completed the physical from PCP, the endoscopy and even colonoscopy, mammogram,stress test with echo, visit with psychologist, and sleep dr.with sleep study that shows sleep apnea. My regular dr and my surgeon,( I had 3 major surgeries last year) plus the sleep dr all wrote letters of recommendation for me to support me. I have to meet with a bariactric surgeon after the ed classes and the nutrioniston the 27th/ What else could they possibly want? I have my medical records from 1998 on. My height is 5 8 and I weigh 274 at the present, I have co morbid conditions like , hypertension, for 10 years or more. depression, at least 10 years. and now sleep apnea diagnoised in June of 06. I have asthma and use a portable breathing machine daily meds and even a hand held inhaler.My b/p is up and not under good control even with meds it is up and down. Any one care to comment on what you think my chances for approval are?

Hey Lynn, From my expereince w/ BCBS NC State: A 4 - 5 year weight history, psych eval, nutrition eval, TSH level, Letter of medical nes., the H&P & initial consult from the surgeon and that is it. As long as I include all of the above and your BMI has been 40 or higher w/ no co-morbidities then you should be fine. If your BMI is 35 - 40 they will look for a major co-morbidity. Again this is just my experience w/ them. Good Luck!!!

Thanks! I have worked hard to gather all the info. I was just worried about needing a 12 month medically supervised diet. I have a copy of their corporate medical policy and I could not find that specific requiremnet. Of course the call to them was pretty useless except one lady said she thought a six month was all for diet. What is H&P? I do have co-morbid conditions, so we will include them as well. I have my weights documented in my records at the PCP office so i will go from there. Thank you so much, and have you had surgery? Are you doing ok? Any suggestions to preparing for it> I am looking forward to being a real LOSER! labugmom