Question:
I am 80lbs overweight, my physician will not write a letter for me - Can any help?

Please view my profile. My mother just passed away July 18,2000 1 week before her 47 birthday of heart failure. My grandmother passed away the age 57. I am so afraid of my hereditary co-morbids, because I am in the beginning stages of hypertension already. However, my physician said I do not weigh enough, or have enough co-morbids to be approved. Therefor, they will not write an approval letter for me. HELP. I am with MailHandlers in Memphis, TN.    — OCTAVIA P. (posted on February 16, 2001)

February 16, 2001
Don't give up--your PCP may not know enought to judge whether your co-morbids are adequate for the surgery. A very strong family history such as ours should count for a lot! Write a diet hisotry for your MD, and keep a copy for your WLS. Write down all the problems you have related to obesity, and ones you see starting. Write all the ways you are affected by obesity. Take them and the statistics for WLS--safety and effectiveness--you can get off this site to the MD again, and discuss these things. If no luck yo can refer yourself--and pay for it-- to the WLS surgeon, for a consult, then take what he writes back to your PCP for an official referral. As a last resort, switch PCPs. You will win, eventually. If you don't you will qualify, eventually,with obvious comorbitidities an/or weight gain, probably... I wouldn't gain weight on purpose, though, because sometimes you have to have been that fat for a period of time. Have you tried everything else? WLS is serious and permanent, as you know. If you do, though, try all those tricks I've read--heavyclothes/shoes...eat tons of salt and drink a lot before you go,to hold water weight (good for 3-8 lbs.)...drink a stomach full of water in the waiting roo...go during PMS week--we all gain a few lbs of water pre-menstrually. Finally, put some sandbags in your pockets and bra if you have to--just remember to take'em out before your exam! :-)
   — Jesse M.

February 16, 2001
I was only 80 lbs. overweight and my family had a history of heart problems. I had my surgery on 12/21/00. Find a PCP. Mine did not want to treat me for the same thing he treats my mother for. Good luck to you, you will be in my thoughts.
   — Judy G.

February 16, 2001
Contact Cathy DeRusha [email protected] she has mailhandlers insurance and has been very helpful with questions about this insurance company.
   — Maurine S.

February 17, 2001
Octavia, At 4'11" and 190, I am not 100# overweight either. I was approved in 4 days. Talk to other people in your area and find a PCP who WILL write the letter. If you have co-morbs and a detailed diet history, it'll help you greatly. Good luck! View this as one battle that you must win!
   — Dhelynn

January 12, 2002
Salve Octavia, Your question was posted almost a year ago but I am answering it because of others who may have the same insurance company. I have Mailhandler's insurance too. I just changed over to it this year, 2002, cause my old insurance company was being a pain. You might want to phone the insurance company. From what I know of it, your primary care physician's approval is not needed. It's your surgeons decision and national standards which decide you are a surgery candidate. It's not being 100 lbs overweight but your BMI. If your BMI is 40 with no co-morbidities or it's a BMI of 35 with co-morbidities then you are a candidate and Mailhandlers PPO will honor this standard if the surgeon says a gastric bypass is needed. I think the BMI thing is great cause it takes into account that a small sized woman, like 5', cannot handle as much weight as a woman around 5'5" or more. Best wishes to you! :)
   — Carmen K.