Question:
i guess i just need support...my weight is slightly under the 100 pound criteria, but

i have other co-morbidity factors, mainly diabetes. is there anyone with the same issue and how did it turn out in ralatino to having surgery. did you have to appeal initially or what? i am waiting for my letter now, so i am fearing the worse    — monica R. (posted on March 6, 2003)

March 6, 2003
I am in a very similiar boat, minus the diabetes. I am also wondering( and will post this separately) if age has anything to do with approval. I am 51 and see so many young women getting approval, or is this just my warped perception? waiting is HARD! Robin
   — Robin I.

March 6, 2003
I personally think it has to do with the insurance company. If it is WLS friendly, it will be easier, if it is not, then you will have problems. I had United Health Care and was approved in 2 weeks, but that is the same story I hear from people of all weights with UHC. If a company is denying someone that is 200 + lbs over, you can bet that they give EVERYONE trouble. Shame on them. Good luck to you and keep up the good fight!
   — Sandy T.

March 6, 2003
Not all insurances require you to be 100 pounds overweight. Some will approve with a BMI between 35-40 if you have co-morbidities.
   — Carolyn M.

March 12, 2003
I am in the same boat. I have cormorbites such as mitral valve prolapse with heart regurgitation, narcolepsy, sleeping problems, irregular mentrual cycle, depression and a few others. All I get from people is negative reactions when they find out that I'm not 100lbs overweight. We are people to who have health issues and if this surgery will help with those then I believe that the health insurnace market should take note. I would in insurance but unfortunately, I do not work in health insurance. I know at times they pay for more than they should. I wish I could get some positive feed back from someone in my shoes.
   — CINDY D.

March 12, 2003
Hopefully, this will be a positive boost for you. I was not 100 pounds overweight (close, but not 100 lbs) I did however have heart problems and was insulin resistant. I went for consultation on a Wed, was approved Friday. For those of you wondering who my insurance company was, it was United Healthcare. Since the surgery, I have been taken off my heart medicine and my blood sugar has been a little on the low end instead of being high. I feel good even though I wish I had lost more. I was 226 the day of surgery and I am down to 138 - 141 depending when I weigh. (my WLS BMI "goal" is 130 for a 5'3" frame). I wear anywhere from a 7 - 9 in jeans and my shirts/sweaters are size small. I am going to be 10 mnths post op the 16th of March.
   — blueyez2668