Question:
bmi 36 - anyone else?

my bmi is 36 and I'm going to have lapband (with or without health insurance paying for it). Am curious to hear from others who had wls and a low bmi (low in terms of obesity). My insurance says it will pay with comorbidities but i'm skeptical and haven't heard of one single person who got their wls surgery covered without being morbidly obese. Am curious if there is any difference in outcomes of lapband or rny forclinically obese as compared to morbidly obese. Would love to hear from other -    — sapphire90 (posted on January 6, 2007)

January 6, 2007
I don't know of anyone with that low of a BMI, mine is 38 with several co-morbitidies. I think it depends on insurance. My individual plan would pay with a BMI of 35 or more with co-morbs, and 40 or more with no co-morbids. Wish I could help ya more.
   — jlw0423

January 6, 2007
My BMI is 36 and my insurance isn't covering it!! I am trying to find out about what some Lap Band patients success' are etc but haven't heard much yet!
   — kendalyne

January 6, 2007
My BMI was 36 and I had high blood pressure. Insurance would not cover lap band b/c it was experimental. I got RNY covered by insurance. Requirement was 35 w/ co-morbidities. I would get full check up, maybe you have comorbitiy and dont know it.
   — cbarrientez

January 6, 2007
I agree with answer number three, I had co-morbidities I never even associated with being overweight. If they turn you down, you could always appeal their decision and try again, maybe with some help from your PCP and your surgeon. Hope this helps.
   — jlw0423

January 7, 2007
Hi Lilly I had a BMI of 35.5...I just barely qualified forthe surgery itself. I only had slight sleep apnea so and no other comorbidities so my insurance would not pay. I saved (and borrowed) and and was banded on Dec 15. I have continued to gain weight over the last several years and nothing else seemed to have lasting effects. I did this more as a "preventative" measure. I didn't want to wait until I had all the other issues, just to have it covered. I am 3+ weeks post op and I feel great. My recovery has been great, and I am down over 25 pounds already (although I am told I am lucky that I am losing during the recovery phase as a lot of people don't.) I know it's somthing I will deal with for the rest of my life, but I have no regrets. Please feel free to contact me and I'll be glad to share my experiences though all of this. Best of luck! Christina
   — ChristinaS

January 10, 2007
I had a BMI of 37, and Humana PPO paid for my surgery because of diabetes. Remember, co morbidities are a wide range, joint pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleap apnea,depression, and many others. Research them all, and have your physician get a precertification from your insurance before surgery. It only took 6 days to get my approval. My family doc had to write a letter that he had followed me in weight loss efforts. I had RN-Y as lap band would not have been covered. My surgery was Nov 20, 2006 and I am down 42 pounds, and off all insulin injections and oral insulin meds. Good Luck!
   — sandy7761