South Carolina help, please!!!

My BMI is 38. I'm 5'8" and 245 pounds. I am pretty sure that I am 100 pounds over my ideal weight. I really have no co-morbid conditions, other than my knees hurt and I am depressed about my weight. I am really concerned that I will be rejected as a candidate for wls. I am pretty certain that I want the lap-band procedure. I really feel like this is my last hope. Can anyone give me an idea on whether or not they think I will be able to find a surgeon to give me the surgery, and if my battle will be large to have it done. I am sure I will have to battle the insurance company, and they wouldn't give me a lot of answers over the phone. I have Manage Med, if anyone has any thoughts on that. My dh works for Pametto Health. I am in Columbia, and there isn't a surgeon in my city that does lap-band, but I am willing to travel - hopefully not too far. Surgeon suggestions? Raves? Anyone I should avoid? I am scheduled to attend the lap band seminar in Charlotte at Presbyterian for Dr. Voellinger. Does anyone have experience qualifying for wls with a BMI below 40 and no co-morbid conditions, but a weight around 100 pounds over ideal? Thanks for any insight.

Hi, I too am about 100lbs overweight and besides being out of breath and having a pain in my knees, I'm pretty healthy. I do however, think I have sleep apnea for I occasionally wake in up in the middle of the night gasping for air. I am very serious about the lap-band surgery and have been researching for awhile now. I would also like to get more information to find out if insurance will cover the procedure. I probably will be going for a consultation in Anderson at the end of this month (August). I'm willing to pay at this point if I can't get the coverage but I'm going to try. I do think they have a payment plan. Good luck to you and if you get any answers, please post on this sight.

Good uck to you as well and let me know how your seminar goes. I will be interested to see what they have to say. Report back, as I would love to hear about it!

Hi Heidi. Your are what is considered a "lightweight" in the WLS world. As I fiqure it, you are right on the borderline of 100lbs over ( 100lbs for 5 ft and 5lbs for each additional inch. PLus or minus 10lbs) Of course every insurance company has different requirements but the general standard is BMI over 40 or BMI over 30 with co-morbidities. Have you had a complete physical? Have you been tested for sleep apnea? diabetes? High blood pressure? Some of these can be silent in their symptoms until they have progressed quite a bit. Also as far as the lap band, each insurance co. is different there as well. My Drs (Dr. Eric Bour and Dr. James Cook) do the lap-band procedure but my insurance co. would not cover anything except the RNY. I hear that Dr. STrickland in Lexington is exceptional and of course I always recommend my surgeons. YOu might also read the patient reviews for the surgeons in our state on this website. (If you haven't already) Take care and good luck in your search! Leisa 280/181/145

I am scheduled for the seminar with Dr. Bour and Dr. Cook. My husband is a physician, so I am pretty aware of what ailments I have. I have low blood pressure, if anything, no diabetes, no sleep apnea. I talked with my insurance company and they said they will pretty much cover the surgery if it is medically necessary. Medical necessity is determined by the operating physician, who can send a letter. Hopefully I can really make this happen. I have felt stuck for so long. I know I am considered a light weight here, but it's not how it feels to me. I've seen the patient reviews for the surgeons. Thanks for all your advice and kind words.

I think you will really like Dr. Bour! Unfortunately, Dr. Cook is leaving the practice at teh end of this month. But he was the newbee. Dr. Bour has been in practice for several years. Just a clarification... I am considered a "lightweight" too. And you are right, I felt anything but. It is not meant with a negative connotation just sometimes makes it harder to get that "medical necessity" designation. I have heard that sometimes they can use the diet and weight loss history toward a diagnosis. Good luck and keep us informed. Feel free to e-mail if you have any questions about my experience with their practice. Leisa