I don't qualify

Okay, I finally got to see the PA at the OTC.  I'm officially an inch shorter than I thought, only 5'5" instead of 5'6".  That means my BMI is a little higher than I thought at 37.3.  However, the walking and mediation I've been doing to stay focused and combat stress have ALSO brought down my boarderline HTN to a normal B/P and as far as the OTC is concerned I have no co-morbidities and so so not qualify for WLS.  I was told high cholesterol alone is not suffcient and since the only current other health issue I had was B/P, I'm out of luck.  Oh crap!   I absolutely refuse to gain weight to get to a BMI of 40 to qualify on BMI alone.  I know there must be a reason for this, I firmly believe there is a reason for everything.  However, from here I am really disappointed and feel very let down.  I'm fat enough to be considered seriously obese and basically a ticking time-bomb for diabetes, but not quite fat enough to get the help which I know could me lose the weight and avoid ending up with significant health issues.  I know there are people all over the USA with the same situation, but it still stinks.      I said it before and I'll say it again, with or without WLS, this is my year to step out of the fat suit.  And damn it, I am going to do it, apparently without the surgery.   I'll still be out here lurking and wishing you all the very best in your journey. ~Donna 

Donna,

I'm sorry to hear that - that you're not qualified. I'm rooting for you to still beat the weight.

Ann

Thanks.  I will get there, just by a different road.  I know you're steaming along full steam ahead.  Keep the good work, you're doing great! ~Donna

Oh bummer! So sorry to hear about this. What ins company do you have? I was told I would probably be "not fat enough" too but in the end I qualified. I know you'll be great no matter how you decide to take the wt off.  Keep in touch.  - Linda 

Hey Donna, Has your primary MD bothered to run an Insulin Resistance test?  They will check your fasting INSULIN SERUM level----NOT (I repeat this is NOT) your fasting glucose level. This is a measure of how much insulin is in the blood.  Usually doctors only measure the amt. of glucose to see if it is elevated.  However, if you have elevated INSULIN levels....it is an indication that your body needs to use more insulin to do the same job as a 'normal' person.  So I will just make up numbers that have no actual meaning----if a 'normal' persons insulin level is ten....and they test yours and it is fifty----then your body is pumping out way more insulin than a normal person to keep that glucose level in check.  You can be pumping out elevated insulin levels for YEARS before ever having an elevated sugar level. Something you might want to have checked.....

I had labs drawn the day before I saw the PA at the OTC.  I remembered that you had told me in a previous post about the insulin resistence and I made sure they drew for that as well as my usual annual labs.  We'll see if the results back up my contention that I have metabolic syndrome.  If they do, I will definitely be calling JAckie at the OTC and pleading my case.  As it turn out,  I WILL have HP insurance for another year and, from what I've heard, they are one of the better ones to deal with.  I have another appointment with my PCPa week from today.  We'll discuss the labs then and see where I'm at.  Keeping fingers crossed. And congratulations to you!!!!!!  I'm so happy for you that things are starting to move forward for you after all your hard work and persistence. ~Donna 

You might want to go over to the Lightweights Forum and post this information.  There are lots of people over there with BMI similar to yours who have qualified and they may have helpful information for you.  I'm so sorry you got this bad news and I hope you will continue to advocate for yourself in whatever way you can.  Good Luck!!