Life Insurance

First off I want to say THANK YOU to everyone on the LW board.  NEVER in my entire life have I considered myself "light"...It's pretty fun just saying it!  This board seems to be "safe" place for us newbies.  I'm not scared to post for fear that I'll get a mean reply.

I have a healthy amount of life insurance but would like to purchase more.  I've been very hesitant to get with an agent the last few years because of the weight.  In the back of my mind, I always put off doing things (and living life) because "I'm really going to lose weight next time".... which of course fails every time.  But now, with surgery in a few weeks, I ponder the question:

Would it be better to get the insurance now, paying a higher rate due to the obesity...OR wait until after the surgery/weight loss?  Does anyone know if bariatric surgery causes an INCREASE in policy price? 

I have NO current comorbidities.  I'm 45.  I just don't know if bariatric surgery ends up causing you to be 'rated' high in the future.

THANKS!

Sharon

I've read that getting life insurance post-op is even harder. If you want to upgrade, do it pre-op. Can someone else confirm this please?

--gina

I tried to by life insurance a few months ago.  I'm 62 so that is part of the problem.  They were fine with my RNY after 6 months and happy about the loss of co-morbidities, but the cardio clearance showed something they didn't like and the rates really went through the roof.  At least from what they told me, it had nothing to do with WLS.  They would not write it however until I was 6 months out from surgery.

I looked into getting life insurance before I turned 50, so the rates would be lower.  I told them I had WLS and was told they wouldn't touch me for a year.  IF they did give me insurance, it was HIGH because they consider WLS a high risk, even though I was close to goal and all my health issues were resolved.

I was also told that even though I lose weight and maintain it, I will never get the real good low rates that people who don't have weight issues due, due to the WLS.  I'm assuming they're thinking that you will regain the weight and have the lower rates or you may still have health issues related to WLS later (malnutrition, obstructions, etc - heck I don't know, just guessing).  No, I don't think its fair and haven't checked into it again .

So YES, bariatric surgery will cause you to be rated high in the future.  I haven't checked it out since. 

I have life insurance through my retirement, but they decline in value and increases in premiums as time goes on.  I have it now through my current employer, but I don't plan on working forever. 

At this point (I'm 52) I just figure if I have enough money to bury me, I'm good.  The kids don't need to get rich when I'm dead :-).  I want them to think I'm worth more to them alive than dead - LOL.

Thanks to all the responses. I think I am going to go ahead and get it.  Perhaps the rates will be less for me while I'm overweight...rather than when I am post op.

THANKS AGAIN!