Question:
I need more Comorbs... Please tell me what you think

I am boarderline for WLS. The WLS surgeon wants solid comorbs. When I had my first session I was at 226.5 BMI 36. I saw my GYN for stress incont. I weighed in at 238 (5'6") and he wants me to see a Uro surgeon to have a sling put on my urethra. He wrote in my chart, "PT weight 238 induced urinating, referred to Uro". I go and see an Ortho surg for my knee problems and a pinched nerve. Then back to see my WLS surg. Question does my urine problems w/surg classify as a solid comorb? If my knees and pinched nerve are caused or worsened by my weight will that do as well? Thanks, N    — Nicole R. (posted on March 19, 2003)

March 19, 2003
I am not sure stress incontience is a great comorb .. but I suppose you can try to use it. I was told by my surgeon that I could list it but to remember it is something suffered by those who are not obese also .. so therefore need other comorb as back ups. Do you suffer from any of these? hypertension(high blood pressure) headaches depression/anxiety joint pain foot problems sleep problems(possible sleep apnea) shortness of breath edema(swelling of ankles/feet/hands/calves,etc) pain(back,hips,legs,neck) numbness in limbs due to pressure of weight(example .. circulation cut off from legs due to sitting on chair or arm/hand due to lying on them at night) varicose veins diabetes or family history of diabetes high cholesterol stiffness of joints I'm sure there are many many more. Hope this may help a little. Good luck to you.
   — Sarah H.

March 19, 2003
Nicole, We have very similar stats and I did not have any seriouse co-morbs either. I was approved under BC/BS of Al with a bmi of 40, 2 years of documented weight loss attempts(diet pill prescriptions) and lower back pain( which was only documented once) At my first visit with my pcp I was 234 and 5'6 which gave me a bmi of 36. I had a 1month and 2 week wait for my consult with my surgeon and decided that I had to make sure I would be approved. So I ate, and ate and ate some more and put on the 10 pounds I needed to make my bmi 40. I am not saying its the healthiest thing to do but I wanted this surgery so bad I wasnt going to let 10 pounds stand in my way. I think approval is much easier to get if your bmi is over 40. To answer your question your knee should definatly count in your favor. Good luck to you ! hugs, Lindsay
   — Lindsay F.

March 19, 2003
All I used was shortness of breath, fatigue, depression, difficulty sleeping, swelling of hands and feet and chronic back pain. I was never diagnosed with any major health problems except mild depression but I just described the way I felt. From what I know those qualified as comorbs. My bmi is 41 and I got approved using those comorbs. Good luck and best wishes. Melissa
   — Melissa B.

March 19, 2003
Do you have sore heels or other foot pain - especially in the morning? Many overweight people including myself have Plantar Fascia, which is a co-morbidity considered by insurance companies to warrant WLS. Good luck!
   — Rhonda J.

March 19, 2003
there is no such thing as a "good comorb" they are what makes a obese persons life miserable.
   — janetc00

March 19, 2003
What most posters forget or don't know is that a "co-morb" is an illness that you can die from, not aches and pains altho aches and pains do help some. My surgeon said it is a life-threatening illness that you are actually on meds for is what the ins. companies look for.
   — Delores S.

March 19, 2003
Comorbs I listed were Polycystic Ovarain Syndrome (PCOS), feet and ankle pain, indegestion, bronchitis, irregular menstrual cycle, infertility, hirsutism, and mild Sleep Apnea. Good Luck!
   — keaton

March 20, 2003
Many insurance companies are now covering the surgery with BMI's between 35 and 40 with co-morbs. A BMI of 40 you can qualify with no co-morbs. How is your blood pressure and glucose levels. There are millions of people walking around with diabetes that are obese that don't know it. Have it checked.
   — Linda A.