Arkman54's Nephew, Newbie

Hello to all the Oklahoman's. Kelli(wife) and I are SO excited my insurance (FMH) just approved WLS!!!!!  We have wanted Lap Band for a number of years. Our kids are 13 and 11 and we don't want them to go up with our bad habits. Luckly they both are in ball so they stay active. We are hoping to have it sometime in January. Can't Wait. Our Dr. here in the city is Tim Eldridge. Awesome Guy. I am alittle worried with my BMI. I just barely made 40 and if I lost wait these next six months I;m not sure what Insurance will say if I fall below 40 in December. Any thoughts wouold be great.  Can't wait to get to know all you wonderful people! (so my uncle Mike says:).

Take care, Brett

Welcome, Brett!  You will find as you go through this process you will have many questions.  Some will seem silly to need to ask but please do it anyway.  We have probably answered every question before so we won't think it silly.  Come here for support as needed.  We are a friendly group of people like each other.  Congrats on being apprved!

I have no idea what will happen if your BMI falls below 40.  Ask the financial folks at your surgeon's office.

Denise

Congratulations! I was just a little below 40 when I had my RNY, of course every surgeon and insurance company is different.  I'm only five weeks out from my surgery and still asks questions on here every other day.

This is a great board!!!

Welcome!!!  Michael warned us you were coming!  Haha!  Just kidding! 
I hope you have a wonderful WLS Journey! 
I was worried if I lost weight I wouldn't qualify for surgery either.  But since I didn't lose any weight without the surgery I didn't have to find out!  You might call your insurance co. 
Good luck to you both!
Welcome to the OK forum!
Kim J!>

I am SO happy to see you post!  I hope you and Kelli get involved here.  We need newbies and both of you will be an awesome addition to our board.  Course, I kinda prejudice, but the truth is the truth.    I seriously don't think you falling below 40 bmi will disqualify you, cause it's what it is at the first appt.  The insurance co. requires you to go thru the 6 month program, so I would think they kind of expect that you will lose some during that time.  My personal opinion is that you're good, but that and 10 cents will get you a dime.  Love y'all, Michael

Talk to your surgeons office but most of the time the weight that is submitted is the weight you are on your initial visit.  I had to do the 6 month pre-op diet for insurance and my weight would flucuate, I think over 6 months I wound up about 10lbs less than I was originially.  My surgeon didn't require that I loose weight before surgery, however, he didn't want me to gain a bunch either.  Best of luck to you and your wife

Hi Brett!
You and Kelli are welcome here! Like everyone is saying, this is the place to go for encouragement and support. There is nothing you could experience that someone on this board hasn't had or done. Of course no one wants to take the place of your doctor's or nutritionists advice but we have all lived it and can tell you our side of it.  These months will fly by. I had to wait for over 9 months, but it was so quick. It also gave me time to learn more and more about this journey. That information helped me more than anyone could ever know.
I'm glad you are here and Congratulations on your approval!

sherry

Welcome Brett!  (and Kelli who must certainly be lurking)  A hearty congratulations on your insurance approval.  That is huge!

Can't help you on the BMI thing since my insurance didn't cover my wls.  But I never really had to worry about losing too much weight so it's a foreign concept to me anyway!  LOL!

So glad to see you posting here.  We have some very successful banders that post here so I'm sure they'll be along with some wise words.

In the meantime, enjoy the process and post early and often!  I hope to meet you both some day soon!