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
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