Question:
WHAT TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO IS 5'1

HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING APPROVED?    — CINDY D. (posted on October 15, 2003)

October 15, 2003
I don't have an answer for you but I am 5'1" and had surgery in Feb. Was approved in 16 days. Height really has nothing at all to do with it. Good luck.
   — Delores S.

October 15, 2003
Hi there. I'm 5'1", and had no problem getting approved - it took about 3 weeks. However, it really doesn't make a difference if you're 5'1" or 4'9" - what matters is your insurance company's view of WLS in general, and what your BMI is. Generally, if your BMI is 39 and over, you are considered morbidly obese and should be approved. However, your insurance company has it's own view. Good luck! P.S. - I have Community Blue.
   — sweetmana

October 15, 2003
I had my surgery 8 months ago. I'm 5'1" and my BMI was 48.9. My BMI in now 26. I don't think height has much to do with it, just your weight. Good luck in getting approved.
   — weise

October 15, 2003
I agree with the others, height is not the issue. The BMI is what plays an important roll with most insurance companies. I have Kaiser. If you have a BMI of 35 to 39, you need 2 comorbidities to qualify (such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes). If you have a BMI of 40 to 50, at least 1 comorbidity and if BMI is over 50 then no co-morbidities are needed for approval.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 15, 2003
Everyone posted on here that height has nothing to do with BMI but any calculator I use asks for your height so it must play a part in it. I also have a low BMI. I am still in the 3 month supervised diet that my insurance company requires. I do believe co-morb's help get approval if you have a lower BMI but does depend on your insurance company. I have Health America and I believe they will look for co-morbs.
   — Christine S.

October 16, 2003
Your height only has to do with the <b>calculation</b> of your BMI, which uses your height and weight as factors. As far as <b>approval</b> is concerned, no insurance company is going to look at the fact that a person is short as a basis of approval/disapproval. Height and weight are used to determine your BMI. In fact, when you are shorter, your weight can be much lower than, say, someone who is 5'5", and still qualify (usually a BMI >40).
   — sweetmana

October 22, 2003
I am 5'0'' and was approved for surgery at 341 pounds. Height DOES matter, when it is compared to your weight. It's all in the BMI calculation. It wouldn't really make any sense to have the surgery weighing 150 pounds at a height of 5'0'' would it? Good luck.
   — carpediem