Questions

So, I have tried dozen different diets during my life.....Nutri System, Jenny Craig, Weigh****chers....not to mention diet meds.....and it never seems to help.  I am not morbidly obese, but never seem to be able to get below 200 lbs.  Is there any hope that I could have the lap band surgery or am I doomed to be this large all of my life?

I think the requirements for any bariatric surgery are that you have to be at least 100 pounds over your ideal body and/or have a BMI of at least 40. They also take into consideration whether you have any comorbitites derived from your obesity. This is most insurance and surgeons requirements but it may not apply to all. I would check with your insurance company to find out all of their requirements for sure. Some insurances require a 10% weight loss and some require a 6 month supervised diet. If so this may reduce your BMI to where you don't qualify (catch 22). Good luck to you.

Melissa

From what I understand that is right, either the co mobidities or the 100 lbs ow.  Have you checked your bmi? Talk to your pcp, they should be able to help you with this. Good luck hon. Hugs Barb

Hi. I see you have a BMI of 34.6. You can get the surgery with a BMI of 35 and 2 co-morbidities (Such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure..etc). Or if you do not have any health problems, you can get the surgery with a BMI of 40. So, with your BMI being at 35, I believe you would qualify but do you have at least 2 health problems? If you are interested in the lap-band, you can start checking into it and maybe go to a seminar to learn about it. You can even go to a consult with the surgeons office and they will be able to tell you if you would qualify. The problem is, just because a surgeon takes you on does not mean the insurance will pay for it without the above normal requirements. Good luck on your journey to weight loss. We are here for support if you need it regardless of surgery or not. We recently started mini-weight loss goals if you want to join in.

Most insurance companies require a bmi of 40 with no comorbidities or 35 with at least 2 comorbidities. Call your customer service number on your insurance card and ask what the particular requirements are for your plan. The list of comorbidities most companies have are: diabetes high cholesterol high blood pressure sleep apnea GERD arthritis My insurance plan also included Intracranial Hypertension AKA Pseudotumor Cerebri. There are some others that I can't remember right off the top of my head. There is a bmi calculator on the home page. Key in your height and current weight and see what your bmi is. Good luck!

Well, my insurance does not pay for ANY weight loss surgeries......so it would be out of pocket I guess.  I have not been diagnosed with any of the comorbidities....YET.  It's coming though.  It is not like I haven't tried to lose the weight......I just feel so hopeless and stay so depressed about it.