HELP!! Approval based on Mental Health????

Hello everyone. I am here with the hope that someone out there will have had the same experience I am having. I began the process for getting insurance approval for WLS back in September. At this point, I have everything sent to the ins. co-ordinator I have been working with at Barix Clinic and am waiting for it to be sent off to Blue Cross Blue Shield. My problem is this...I do not meet their rigid requirements for WLS. I have letters from my PCP, Surgeon, Psychiatrist, and therapist ALL stating that this is an "indicated and reccommended" surgery for my comdition. I do suffer from fibromyalgia and back problems due to my weight, but my primary problem resulting from my obesity is major depression. However, because I do not have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a five year history of morbid obesity, I have been told that I will be denied. What they don't see on paper is my history beyond that. I have been overweight and struggling since I was in 3rd grade...I went to my first weigh****cher's meeting when I was 11 years old!! I have been on FenPhen, Redux, Meridia, and some other new one that I don't know the name of. I was successful until the pills were taken away, but the insurance sompany sees that as a success nontheless. From 1997 to 2002 I was anorexic and bulemic, which kept me thin but very weak and unhealthy. Now that I have stopped all those destructive behaviors, I have been getting bigger and bigger and it isn't stopping. I have gained another 15 pounds since September and am becoming more depressed with each additional pound. I am a single mother of a 2 year old and barely have the energy to take care of her basic needs, let alone play with her the way a mother should. I desperately need a permanent solution to my weight problem but I fear the insurance company will not see the dire need for surgery that my doctors and I see. Soooo...after all that rambblingmy question is this...has anyone out there ever gained insurance approval based on mental health and current BMI only?? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...Aimee

Aimee, I had a bmi barely over 40 and no co morbs to speak of. You CAN get approval...just dont give up! Love, Kathy

I just read your profile and in all honesty I dont see how the surgery coordinator can tell you with a straight face that you dont meet requirements. All I can tell you is this: If Barix doesnt get it done for you, go on to the next place. Dont give up. This surgery is worth any struggle, any hurdle you have to overcome. You WILL get your life back. No, it won't miraculously cure any head issues you have (and believe me, we all have them) but it will give you the tool you need to reclaim your physical health. Really, the rest is up to you. Keep fighting..because the fight isnt just for you, but for your daughter as well. Please keep us posted...and DONT GIVE UP!! We're all here if you need us

Aimee, Appeal, appeal, appeal. Send all of the documentation from your early days that is in your doctors records. Plus, there are 2 more things you might try. One is to go to the states insurance site and fill out a complaint, www.ins.state.il.us and the other is to hire a wls lawyer. Go to your insurances web site and see if you can find out anything there. I am in the process of filing a complaint against my insurance.