I am not on your insurance, but I didn't have any co-morbadalities either.  I did have asthma, but they couldn't say it was due to my weight (although I am no longer on asthma meds.).  I have arthritis, but that wasn't considered a result of weight loss either.  My family doctor had documentation of my weight for over three years - and I just listed all of the different diets and programs I'd tried.   Hope you get accepted this time>  I'll be praying for you.  cyndi

Hello friend, We are glad to have you aboard.  I am willing to visit with you anytime.  I had RNY in June of 06.  I live in Hartford, just outside of SF.  I've lost about 150# and am currently finding myself at a plateau for the past couple months.  AGHHHH.   Have a great night.

I think I would still see Dr. O'Brien, maybe he has dealt with the insurance before - I'm sure he has. The frustrating thing is that I think most of us that are looking to have the surgery know how to lose weight, it's just keeping it off that is the hard part (the reason we need a tool like WLS to help us). Keep me updated!  Tanya

I was just starting this journey, waiting on insurance approval for the lapband, and low and behold, I'm pregnant! I am happy, but sad too, kind of. I wanted to wait for a few years, post op, and be a skinny preggo, you know where people can actually tell you are pregnant?? HOw vain is that??? Sorry, I'm just needing to vent. My husband and I are very happy, but not really prepared. I took a pregnancy test last month before my inital consult, just to make sure, and it was negative......well, alas I'm very late and I thought perhaps stress of life and being consumed with all the obesity research..........but alas, it looks like I will be having baby #3! I hope I dont' sound ungrateful. We struggled for 5 years to get pregnant the first time, then I had #2 22 months later, now it looks like #3 will be 21 months younger! Holy crap I will have 3, 3 yrs. and under!!!! Anyway, I am off to call Dr. Obrien's office and let them know that it is on hold for now. Perhaps next year!!! I also have a call into my OB/GYN so that hopefully she can help me with a safe weightloss/exercise regimen for pregnancy. Thanks for all your support. I will be back. Good luck to everyone! Emily

Hi - any help would be greatly appreciated!! I was denied in 2004 for WLS, I now have different surgery and I am going through the process again.  The reason I was denied in 2004 was because I had no co-morbidities.  I still am relatively healthy, I do have depression and heart disease runs in my family, but other than that . . . obesity is it (it's enough).  I have my consultation on July 18th and I am worried sick that I will again be denied for the surgery and I WANT IT SO BAD!!  I have Dakotacare insurance, the policy says that you must have 12 months coverage (I do), BMI over 40 (I do), 3 years obese documented by physician (I think I have?), and 3 years of weight loss attempts documented by physician (I don't have).  I'm so worried that the last two will be what stops me from getting the surgery.  I have seen the doctor for weight loss, I have been on every diet in the book, I have been on prescribed medication for weight loss, but I don't have three years of documented dieting.  I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and been approved.  Also if you think that the doctor sending a letter that states I have been obese and dieted for way over three years would be enough to get approved?  I have checked the insurance board and people that have posted about Dakotacare generally  have positive statements, but most are quite old and not specific.  I just keep thinking and thinking about this surgery and what it would mean to me, and I'm sure I am driving everyone in my family crazy - it's just something I want badly and can't seem to get off my mind!! Sorry this is soooo very long and thanks for any suggestions!  Tanya