I just got off the phone with BCBS of NC. The Corporate Medical Policy - Surgery for Morbid Obesity has been changed to include gastric banding (the LAP-BAND®). The representative was most helpful and directed me to the appropriate section of their website. I now have a print out of the new policy in my fat little hand! Besides the same restrictions we've all read about a thousand times (BMI 40 or more, BMI 35 with co-morbities, etc.) there are two other restrictions, 1.) Patient must be over 18 yrs. of age, and, 2.) BMI must be less than 50.