No Co-Morbities, worried about approval

I am lucky enough to have no other co-morbidies other than a lot of back, shoulder, ankle and knee pain. I am worried about approval thru insurance. Anyone in my shoes and found themselves approved?? Thanks

I was in a similiar situation as you. I am 5'4 1/2'' and weighted 252 before I had surgery in November of 2005. I beleive my BMI was just at 40 or a little bit over. I did have high cholesterol but I left it untreated to see what would happen after surgery and it is now normal. I do have a lot of family health issues that could arise from being over weight. Most insurances should cover the GBP surgery as long as your BMI is 40 or above even without any co-morities. I had a difficult insurance they did approve me on the first try but they dragged their heels. It took a long time to be approved. My surgeon also had me do extra things such as see the nutr. and psy more often than most so I would have a better chance in being appoved. Which I was! Good Luck and you should be fine!

Hi i too had no co-morbs but my surgeon said my weight alone made made me a candidate. he said just being 100 or more lbs overweight makes you a canidate. i had my surgery 9/12/06. ihave lost12lbs in a week i feel great! i hope all goes well for you.

I didn't have any co-morbities, though my bmi was like 50.2... Still though, were your bmi is over 40 I don't think you should have too much of a problem getting approved. Best of luck to you!

Thank you all so much. That does make me feel better. Janet, What insurance did you have that made you do all that? I already saw the Psycologist, and have my nutritionist appt for 10/10 and all my other paperwork is in order, so I am just waiting and getting more and more nervous. I am so afraid that this is my last hope of ever being able to get rid of these pounds and that it could be denied. I am trying hard not to attach myself to this idea too much, but it is hard. Thank you all so much.

I had Atena at the time. I was suppossed to be in a six month suprivesed weight loss program. Good Luck1! Janet

I just got my letter of approval from BCBS HMO Blue the other day...no appeals - approved on the 1st try. I've lost about 11lbs. since my first weigh-in, but they used my BMI from that first visit (which was 40.1). I have no major co-morbidities - my big problems are depression and knee problems in both knees. Good luck!

Rockin, your post made my day. I too have BCBS/HMO BLUE and although I weigh about 30 more pounds than you at the start, I am so excited that you were approved so quick. I am going to put together a letter to the insurance company to outline my reasoning for this surgery and some of the aches and pains I feel. Maybe if I am convincing enough they will feel sorry for me and approve me. Thanks for giving me some hope. And good luck on your recovery and weight loss. I am sure you are so thrilled to be on the other side. Crystal

Well, it's good to hear that others are in the same boat. I just got approved by my PCP for Lap-band surgery. So, I'm awaiting my approval through Health New England to see Dr. Fiallo. I also have no co-morbidities, except elevated cholesterol... along with joint pain and back pain. So, keep your fingers crossed that mine also goes through without much of a fight... Good luck, Crystal...

I had no co-morbities and I had no problems getting my Lap-Band surgery done. I don't know if things have changed in the past 6 months or so but good luck. It was the best decision I ever made!!!