Denied surgery for a BMI of 34.9 with comorbidities

I work about a mile away from Farmer John.  Love the pig mural on the building.  Bet he gets killer tickets to Dodger games 

Wednesday is rendering day in the area.  The smell is not so bueno.

Born and raised here, except for the two years I abandoned the world and moved to Hawaii.  Gotta love the beach, but the traffic is a nightmare.

I'm sorry to hear you've had so many health issues. I hope things are better for you now. Like you I too tried every diet in existence. I have already done the six month Doctor supervised diet as well.  This isn't a surgery that I decided upon quickly. In fact until my doctor suggested it I was totally against it.  I decided I was going to exercise to lose weight but I have plantar fasciitis and bad knees which make it impossible. Not to mention the stress test with Lexi scan I just had shows that my heart gets too stressed when I exercise. I have started eating much healthier and I  realize that I will have to change my eating habits for life if I want to keep the weight off. If I have over reacted to some of the comments then I apologize. It just seems strange to me that all of these people that have already had the surgery have jumped on here with their opinion of what I should or shouldn't do when they know nothing about me. Not to mention my question was about insurance appeals not whether or not I should have surgery or if I've jumped through enough hoops. Somewhere someone decided I just made up my mind to do this last week and that is far from the truth. I've been working with a bariatric specialist for a year. 

I waited four years. No one wants to wait, and no one wants to live in pain. However, it costs to be the boss. If you can afford it you can go to Mexico. Be aware that some US doctors will not see you for follow up if you need it. Also any care here would be at your cost. Your insurance will likely not pay for any associated cost.

If you cannot afford Mexico, you might be able to appeal. Likely not, as insurance requirements are getting more strict. 

Don't bite people's heads off. White Dove asked a question--a valid one. We all want to think our case is urgent, but it usually isn't. Even if you had surgery tomorrow, it would take some time to lose all your weight.

You've said your cardioligist is concerned; do you have a pulmonologist as well? What does he or she say? If your breathing and cardiac concerns are significant, you may be a poor surgery risk.

Yes I have a pulmonary specialist.

You do realize that with breathing and heart issues you very well could endangering your life going out of the country for WLS.  You could have a heart attack on the table and die also. 

Hell you could go under the knife and end up in ICU for weeks with never even having the surgery because of your health conditions.

It is a tool because you would have a stomach the size of your thumb instead of one the size of the football.  But if you don't understand how WLS works and how to correctly use the tool you will be given then you are just setting yourself up for disappointment and failure.

Oh and don't be snotty to WD she only asked a question.  It seems you are a person who is very entitled and want things done your way or no way. 

There is somewhere here on OH where you can read reviews on doctors. There is that Dr. Alvarez (Endobariatrics) from Mexico that I've seen a few people reference on here that they really liked him. He advertises on here all the time.

Thank you for the info.  

I feel your pain. But, does it feel like they're withholding something from you to hurt you? Have you used this time to consider and implement an eating plan that will be commiserate with what will be expected after surgery? The time between someone DECIDING to get WLS and GETTING the surgery is dependent on who is paying usually. In my case, I had to sell my boat to finance my not having to wait as long as some.

If you start eating now, the way you'll have to after WLS, you're giving yourself an upper hand at success. It is a tool at best! It will never work unless applied properly. These Vets that have replied to you are great voices in this. Good luck in this journey.

Yes I realize I will have to change my eating habits if I want to keep the weight off after surgery. I have already made a lot of significant changes throughout my six month Doctor supervised diet but there is no way I can eat the small amounts I'll eat after surgery now. I would starve to death!  If I had that kind of willpower I wouldn't be in this situation lol

Your head is not in the game.  You are not going to starve to death if you ate the small amounts now like after surgery.  So maybe you don't eat the 1/4 cup of food, but you could eat 1 cup of food per meal  and be fine.  Unless of course your eating crap foods that wouldn't keep you feeling full then I could see you eating and eating.

You need to do a lot of research and get your head on right before you jump into having WLS.