Interested/ Need advise!!!

I am currently a full-time college student working towards a degree in nursing. My insurer is Iowa Medipass. In my eye's i am morbidly obese, and have had trouble with my weight since i was in high school. None of my attempts to lose the weight have ever worked. In 2004 my only daughter was born and i gained 40-50 lbs during pregnancy that i still can't loose. Obesity runs in my family, my mom is morbidly obese, and has coronary heart disease that has caused her to have one heart attack. She also has diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea, and acid reflux. She is in the process of getting approved for weight loss surgery. I don't see a doctor regularly about loosing the weight. I've been known to have pretty high blood pressure but not high enough to be put on medication yet. I do have a lot of heartburn, and i sometimes have knee pain. I'm really worried about getting all the troubles that my mom has from being obese. I think it would be really nice if i could get the surgery to prevent these health issues instead of waiting until i've got them to be accepted for the surgery. Does any one have any suggestions for me on how to go about getting the surgery? Or do you think I would even be eligible, since I don't have many doctor records?

I don't think my program ever got my actual records, or sent them for approval......They go by what you tell them a lot of times.....You will have to answer MANY questions.....I would say that being overweight with (tho not sure how much: you do need a certain BMI) high blood pressure, knee problems, & heartburn are all aliments that would aid in approval. I too wasn't on my death bed at the time of surgery, I had a lot of family history and everything going to poo, I was young with young kids, and wanted to make sure I would be around to see them grow up. The first thing you need to do is find a program you like, call them see of they take your insurance and go from there.......next steps are usually getting information packets and paperwork. Most places will be able to tell you right away if they take your insurance or not. Take Care and good luck jesi

If I was you I would go to my pcp and talk with them about wls and ask which surgeon they recommend. If you don't have a pcp then find a surgeon you would like to use. Start the process, call your insurance company and see what they require to have the surgery and you can go from there. I had BC/BS Select they covered my surgery fine, I paid 20% after the $500 deduction. I am middle aged and didn't have very many co morbs. But my surgeon knew what to find to get my insurance to cover me. It was enough that my joints hurt, and that I would get short of breath upon exersion, and things like this. I didn't have high b/p or heart problems, in my family or myself, so he managed to get me through some way and most surgeons do know the tricks it takes. I had a high bmi though. I weighed 299 and stand 5'9" that helped tremendously. Good luck with your journey, research all you can so you know what you are getting into, and please feel free to ask any questions to us or a dr. you can think of. We are here to support you, in your decision. Cindy G

Hi Gina... I had Iowa Medipass as well when I had surgery. I dont have a lot of co-morbidities. I had knee problems and high blood pressure. When I talked to my PCP and to the surgeon they also asked family history as well. It doesnt hurt to try...all they can say is no....and then appeal appeal appeal! billie jo