Question:
I have a friend who truly needs the surgery......is 59 to old

He has alot of problems like depression and high blood pressure and more. How long does he have to decide on the surgery before he is to old....    — Julann A. (posted on July 30, 2003)

July 30, 2003
I had my surgery on 4/15/02 at the age of 62. I started out at 343 and now weigh 192. Some insurances and doctors have an age limit. BCBS I was told has an age limit of 60. I had Cigna and had no problems getting approved. If I can answer any other questions please e-mail me. Judy Shock
   — Judy S.

July 30, 2003
There is a similar post earlier today, please read my response re: 65 year old post op.
   — M B.

July 30, 2003
Hello~ My parents are approved and ready to become "big losers". My mom is 62 with a BMI of 39.9 and my dad is 65 BMI of 40.5. Blue Shield of California HMO- No problems at all!! They actually only started this process 4 months ago. They are having their surgery done by a very popular and well known bariatrics surgeon.
   — Maggie M.

July 30, 2003
Some insurance says 60, some 65. One seminar I went to said it was nearly impossible to get approval if someone had medicare as their insurer.
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 30, 2003
I had open RNY 2/02 at the age of 67 (turned 68 in June). Medicare paid as primary and BCBS Federal picked up everything else. I've gone from 325 to 205 in seventeen months with lots of complications and no exercise. If any insurance turned me down I would scream "age discrimination"!! The oldest I have heard of was 72. Nina in Maine
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 1, 2003
Heavens No! 59 is not too old! There are many people from age 18 to at least (last I've seen) 67 years old. There may be some "more distinguished" I'd prefer saying and not "older" because I have the philosophy that you are as "young or as old as you feel and/or look". I'm 49, and now that a substantial amount of weight is off, I feel very 'spry'. Also, friends, family co-workers and church members feel the WLS and the loss of the weight has "taken off a lot of years"...and yes, I'll show my new modesty and "refiness" and blush with a "thank you" :) LAP RNY 9/3/02 265/154/115-126 Hadiyah, aka~~
   — yourdivaness