Question:
Do you think that I will qualify for the RNY surgery?

I am 25 years old. My BMI is 43 and I am a Type 2 diabetic. I have been dieting since I was 9 years old. My intake worker at Neweigh seems pesimistic about my chances for approval. She said because I am not "that overweight" ( I think 120lbs is VERY overweight) and because I am only 25, my chnaces are lower than average. My question is, is there anyone else with about the same BMI and the same age that has been approved? I have documented diabetis and I am on insulin. I also have a very thourough diet history. Thank you    — Brenda B. (posted on October 21, 1999)

October 21, 1999
I was approved yesterday by my insurance company, NYLCare/Aetna U.S. Healthcare. My BMI is 40. Good luck to you!
   — Catherine C.

October 21, 1999
The weight guideline is that you must be at least 100 lbs. overweight. Good Luck ... and tell the intake worker she needs to do some research!
   — Sherrie G.

October 21, 1999
Hi, I have a feeling your intake worker was pesimistic because you wouldn't be giving them your business any longer. Your BMI has to be 40 to qualify, so yours is in the right range. Also you do have co-morbidites (the diabetes). There is nothing wrong with your age either, I have heard of approvals from ages 16 to 65. Your regular doctor and your insurance company are the ones you should ask next. I wish you the best!
   — Sarah D.

October 22, 1999
My BMI is 45 and I am 28yrs. I was approved and so will you. Don't worry.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 22, 1999
HI! My BMI was 44 and I am 26 yrs old. I was approved with no other medical problems. Alot of people didn't think I was "big" enough to have the surgery. I knew how big I was and didn't let anyone tell me other wise. I am 6 mo post op with a weight loss of 97lbs!!! If this is really what you want dont get discouraged by other peoples words! good luck!
   — jenae C.

October 22, 1999
Hi Brenda: I was approved at 23 years old, I'm 24 now (turned 24 on Monday), but anyway, I don't have any "real" co-morbidities and I was approved easily. I think it may have a lot to do with your insurance company. My surgeon thinks (as I do also) that it is an advantage to have this done while you are young. Why not? You are still going to be as big, if not bigger 20 years from now. You should be just fine. If the office staff isn't doing everything it can to help you be better, then FIND SOME WHERE ELSE!!! Hugs, Dannielle
   — Dannielle K.

October 22, 1999
Good morning, Brenda, While I am not your age (I'm 51)and my bmi was much larger I just am feeling for you. Boy, you're d----d if you do and d----d if you don't, huh?? Every article that I've ever read, heard of has stated that anyone with a bmi of over 30 is clinically obese. I don't know where your intake worker has her information from but I feel you are very correct in questioning it. My doctor will do surgery on anyone who weighs 70 or more pounds overweight. He does want to know the other things/diets you have tried as this should be a last resort sorta thing. My doctor has done over 250 of these surgeries so I trust him fully. He has never lost a low to med. risk patient but has lost 3 very high risks patients. None of those were due to the surgery, though. He has never lost a patient while doing the surgery, either. I think we all know just how life shortening being overweight is. I think your intake person needs to do some reading right away, if she is turning away patients who are clinically obese. Can you see another intake person, or doctor? This is a fantastic, unbelievable journey and my ONLY regret is that I didn't have this avenue of recovery from obesity when I was 25 years old. It would have saved me many heart aches, saved my health, saved me money in medical treatments, saved my insurance co. money, and saved me the trauma of self hatred, self loathing, self worthlessness, on and on. If this lady won't help you I really would suggest that you run not walk to someone else to get the help you need. My prayers are with you. Thinking of you, Linda
   — Linda P.

October 22, 1999
Brenda, I think it will depend primarily on your insurance carrier. My insurance sucks and doesn't even cover pap smears and regular checkups, and they paid for my wls. They even have an exclusion for treatment of morbid obesity.) I was 29 at the time of my surgery and my only real health issue that was impacted by my weight is arthritis. No diabetes, no high blood pressure, no sleep apnea. My BMI was even lower than yours -- 41. Don't let the counselor make you despondent. There is a great deal of hope. It just depends on your insurance carrier (that is, as long as NeWeigh wrote a very strong recommendation -- and they have no reason not to). Good luck!
   — Zoe S.