Question:
BMI is 39.1 am I a candidate?
I've been considering having surgery. But Im not sure if I qualify,I've researched and found that i may be a can qualify.I dont suffer from high blood preasure or diebitis, I do suffer from depression because my weightof and I have a poor self inmage of myself. I am 5'7 @250lbs can anyone advise...please — Jan D. (posted on April 14, 2007)
April 14, 2007
I dont know ,my bmi was this low but I had feet problems.I was healthy
other wise.It took me two years to fight Insurance company to pay.You can
have it probably if you are self pay.
— Sandy Hanson
April 14, 2007
Most insurance companies require a BMI of 35 or higher so you hit that
mark. They also require a comorbitity as you mention. I do not know if
depression qualifies. If you are not medicated for it at this time I would
suggest having your Dr. prescribe something and then apply to your
insurance company for the surgery. Depression was one of my issues but I
had several others as well. When was the last time you had a general blood
work up to check things like thyroid, cholesterol, etc. Maybe your
cholesterol is up and you don't know it yet. Sorry to be negative but we
have to look for reasons for the insurance company to aprove surgery. Get a
good check up and see if anything turns up. Good Luck and God Bless, Norma
— njkbutton
April 14, 2007
When I had weight loss surgery, i was 5'6" and weighed 246 pounds. I
qualified. Once you go through all of the pre operative tests, they might
discover a comorbidity that you didn't even know exsisted. For example, I
had a sleep study and found that I had a mild case of sleep apnea. So,
that was my co morbidity. Prior to that, being fat was my only
issue...didn't have any other health problems.
— Lisa M.
April 15, 2007
I know that I was 100 lbs. over the weight limit, and I had 6 out of the 7
pre-existing conditions for having the surgery so it was approved by my
insurance and medicare. My pre-exisiting conditions were depression, sleep
apnea, high cholorestral,diabetes, copd, heart stint. I am 5 months out of
RNY and as of now I no longer have sleep apnea, am down to 1 pill for
dibetes, am trying to get off of my depression pill, and do not take any
cholorestral medicine anymore. Hooray!
Good Luck to you and hope your insurance approves you!
— Virginia M.
April 15, 2007
Go to the doctor first!!! There is no cheap way to find out...the dr's
office will know what criteria your ins. co . requirese and if you fit in
it!
— LouAB
April 15, 2007
The quick answer - probably. The long answer - my doctor, my medial group
and my insurance company all had their own set of criteria - lots of hoops
to jump through - but in the end; insurance covered and I got through it
all. I am 5'8 and was 277 @ time of surgery. 286 was my highest. I am 225
today. starting week 9 since surgery. Good luck. OH..my bmi at surgery was
40.
— jammerz
April 15, 2007
Most people stand tall stretching when getting height checked. Plus over
the years most shrink a little, I have been told its from our sines
cmpressing espically MOs since we carry so much weight. Re Run the BMI
calculator at 5 feet 6 inches, one one inch less height your over 40 BMI.
This may be important for insurance approval:)
— bob-haller
April 15, 2007
A framily history of co morbids, parents siblings close blood realtives can
also help. Not just diabetes and high BP, things like cancer can also be
tied to weight. GO GET EM!
WLS the BEST DECISION I EVER MADE IN MY LIFE!
— bob-haller
April 15, 2007
My BMI is 39.9-- I am 5'3" and 225- I had no problem getting approved
with Independent Health. My surgery is Thurs. Good Luck.
— Jackie W.
April 15, 2007
My BMI is 39.9-- I am 5'3" and 225- I had no problem getting approved
with Independent Health. My surgery is Thurs. Good Luck.
— Jackie W.
April 15, 2007
Jannette, it truly is an insurance question, what your individual insurance
requires. The bottom line is that many women with a bmi of 39 have had
approved surgeries, even with low health issues. They will look at bp and
other issues, but also on joint deterioration from the compound weight.
Call your insurance company and see your PCM or surgeon to get a
consultation, this is the only way to know for sure if what you have will
work for you. Take care, Patricia P.
— Patricia P
April 16, 2007
If it were me - I'd seriously consider pursuing a surgery like the Lap
Sleeve Gastrectomy (also seen as VSG) - there is a very active forum here
on OH, and another on Yahoo.
Do your homework! Make sure you know what it is you're asking for.
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
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