So now the question is : Now I don't have a BMI of over 50 anymore the Insurance Co may not...

 I had my 2nd visit with the Surgon today!   I have lost 60 lbs pre-op and don't have a BMI of 50+ / 40-44 now & now they are telling me because I'm not over 50 on my BMI anymore they may not approve me for the VSG!!  So the surgon asked me if I'd still be willing to do the RNY!  I agreed but jezzz I was just feeling great about my decision for the VSG!!   The head nurse told me that she will really push for me to be able to get the sleeve!  On the bright side my surgon was very happy with my weight loss & said I have lost the most of all his patients w/ the pre-op diet!!  That does make my day!!  Can any of you tell me about your experience with the insurance company and the VSG??    Thanks a whole bunch!! 

My surgeon just gave my insurance company the weight I was at my first consultation with him not the pre-op weight.

what? Why would they approve you for one and not the other. I would fight them for that is you really want the VSG.

A number of people have posted on this forum that their provider submitted the initial weight from their first visit or consultation.    You might want to call your insurance to find out exactly what the requirements are.  And make sure your surgeon follows them.  

                                    

Sendin you a shipment of   ^^^^    looks like yer gonna need it with yer surgeon's practice!

No worries...many of us have had to wade thru the muck...office managers, financial cordinators TELLING ME...what MY bariatric policy SAYS...what NIH CRITERIA is..... then come to find out told a load of CRAP. They're full of ****don't listen to em!

Know your policy.
NIH criteria ALL insurance companies with WLS plans MUST abide by..
40 and over BMI .......no comorbidities required (still must go thru testing, med history to be medically fit for surg tho! another NIH criteria for WLS)
35-39.9  1 MAJOR comorbidity (metabolic syndrome, diabetes II....) or 2 other a long list! inc. GERD, PCOS, Ortho problems, migraines.

THATs THE LAW!! Since 1991!! 
 Insurance companies are throwin this NEW thing...since can't be DENIED at pre-authorization anymore for VSG being EXPERIMENTAL/INVESTIGATIONAL...(cuz it ain't no more since Jan 1, 2010)

they're using...USUALLY reserved for BMIs of 50 and over.  NOTE the word USUALLY...note the FACT this AIN'T NIH CRITERIA (see above)

what it is ...is an insurance hoop...standard insurance procedure/protocol...to dissuade, discourage, fluff up yer feathers, make ya cry, some kind of sadistic torture...like pulling wings off butterflies...but...they do it.

IF that should happen to YOU...appeal it...right away! its just a speed bump.

But please tell me why you have lost 60 pounds pre-op?  If yer on a medically supervised weight loss diet (some insurances req. em)....tread lightly!! a catch 22........ so head's up.

 That's rediculous!  Why should you be punished for losing weight?  No, you tell that surgeon you want him to put your STARTING weight on there not what you weigh now.  Or what the heck is the incentive to lose weight?  Insurance companies just **** me off.

Typically the insurance carriers have a requirement of either a very high BMI of 50 or greater, or a BMI of 35 or greater along with at least 2 co-morbidity's (sleep apnea, high BP, high lipid panel, diabetes, etc).
A word of caution... once you have WLS the insurance companies will no longer want to insure you due to it being considered a pre-existing condition. They consider WLS high risk and they fear the potential for future complications so they reject applicants quick, fast, and in a hurry! (FYI, You can thank the Lap-Band lobby for convincing the insurance companies that WLS qualifies as a pre-existing condition).

If you feel you can loose the weight and change your lifestyle so that you won't regain the weight then you will be better off, strictly speaking from the insurance carrier perspective. I had my WLS back in Feb 2011 & I wouldn't change a thing, despite the fact that I am now considered uninsurable (at least until 2014 when the Obama plan goes in effect).
I wish you all the best regardless of which way you end up loosing your weight and changing your life.. Craig