Hello!  Security Health is your HMO?  I have badgercare with Compcare HMO and I was approved within 3 days after my surgeon sent in the request.  Of course I had completed all the prio-rauth requirements, but I think you will be approved as well.  My BMI was 40 without and comorbities. My surgery is Monday October 25th.   Good luck to you.

 Hi!

This is my first time out here...so bare with me.  I had my lap-band done by Dr. Kemmerling.  I would never recommend him to anyone!  I thought he was oh so great until I started having complications, which resulted in my lap-band being removed almost 2 years ago.  I even did a commercial for him...and then the way he treated me made me sick!  I had relfux very very bad - to the point where I couldn't sleep laying down, and if by chance I did, I normally would wake up with vomit in my hair and on my pillow - I did it in my sleep.  That seemed very odd to me and of course I went to him numerous times to see what was going on.  He prescribed I don't know how many different heartburn medications - which never helped.  God forbid he did a scan on me or anything. And, like I see posted in other comments, he got mad at me about it.  Really?!?!?  Ummm, I did almost everything right - even kept every monthly follow up appointment for the first year.  And then to get mad at me.  Then, the real kicker - I ended up quitting my job and staying home with my two children, so I had a change in insurance.  The first time I called his office after that because my vomit looked like coffee grounds (which I found out LATER was blood), I was told that I would need to pay $165 before he would even see me.  Unfortunately, I didn't have that just lying around the house.  Then, after my new insurance was all set up, I called the office again (mind you, this was about 6-8 months later) - he agreed to see me because now there seemed to be some kind of urgency when I said that it still was coffee ground consistency.  I see him and he finally orders a scan, finds out that my band slipped and made it's own separate "stomach".  He then tells me that he cannot perform the removal and that I need to find someone in my plan that would - and was a total jerk about it.  Thankfully I found Dr. Georgen at ThedaClark in Menasha - who by the way was absolutely wonderful!!!!  And never heard another word from Dr. Kemmerling - not even to see how things went.  And, I found it funny when I ordered my records from his office - all of the dates that were missing - totally unacceptable.  He is a jerk that is out to make the quick buck but could care less about his patients - when it comes down to it.
And, sad thing is, I am finding more and more and more people that have had complications because of his surgery.  2 years out after the removal and of course, I have gained about 80 pounds back, after losing 120. 
I was told by Dr. Georgen that the scar tissue on my stomach and esophagus is so bad that I will never be able to have the lap-band on again, and as of 2 years ago, my only option was the bypass - which totally freaks me out - I have not met one person that hasn't had complications with the bypass.  And fixing that involves a whole lot more than the band.  
So, just wanted to share my thoughts with you on Dr. Kemmerling.  And put it out there just how uncaring of a man he is towards his patients.
Thanks for listening!!!

Check out the BMI calculator on OH:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/bmicalc .php

Your BMI is only 35.7, but you still qualify for any weight loss surgery. Usually it is a BMI of 35 plus 2 comorbidities, or a BMI of 40. Which health issues (comorbidities) do you have? You should probably look into having the Vertical Sleeve surgery. It is a restrictive only surgery, that removes about 85% of your stomach. It is the first part of another procedure called the Duodenal Switch. If you have type 2 Diabetes, the DS is the best chance of curing it before you even leave the hospital. Do lots and lots of research on all of the procedures and good luck to you!

Jules

The ds is the greatest surgery out there, so if you can go for the ds, but it's your decision, and I think with you asking and letting him know the long term results, and how good that is for you, I think that he will agree! Just keep reading post's and asking ?'s, I am on the ds board here alot, and I have learned so much from the vets on the board, if I have problems there right there to help as they can, and answer what they can, keep studying, and researching, it's the best one out there, I am sending good vibes your way to get that approval and to have the surgery of you choice.


TammyG.

I had united healthcare but through the state, and went through all the pre op stuff, dr's, nutritionist,psyc,6month diet and was approved 3day's after my 6months were up. I went and had the DS surgery done, Duodenal Switch Love the surgery, Love the long term results people have with this surgery,The long term weightloss and I was in the hospital for 3day's, went home diabetic free!! I am just alittle over 3months out and lost 70lbs, I can eat about anything I want,I just make sure I have all my protien in for the day before I treat, or snack. Yes I have to take vitamins, but I would rather take them then the insulin, and the med's I was taking!! Good luck to you on your approval, what ever u do don't stop fighting to get it, because you are worth it!


TammyG.