Question:
Will having WLS surgery change my disability status after weight loss?

I am currently on SS/Fed Disability, if I have the surgery and lose my weight, will the disability stop or be re-evaluated?    — Faye O. (posted on March 31, 2004)

March 31, 2004
I would think that if you are on disability because of your weight that yes, it would most likely be re-evaluated. Also, I would think that once you lost weight and were able to work and get out and enjoy a healthier, thinner body, that you would actually want to work. Now if your disability coverage is due to some injury, unrelated to obesity, then no I see no reason why it should be, but Ido not work for the government and this is just my personal opinion. Good luck!
   — amcswain

March 31, 2004
I answer this only because I truly know the answer. A friend of mine had the same thing and YES they re-evaluated her, and because she was no longer considered disabled because of obesity and that her health had stabilized, YES they took her off disability. She actually has such self esteem now that she found a great job and absolutely loves it. Good luck to you!
   — Rebecca W.

March 31, 2004
yes, maybe and maybe not. It's according when you applied what was the reason you applied and got accepted. I applied because of a skin disorder and got accepted. later my wt was added. I only hope that after my wl I can get back in the work force and get off the dole.
   — B4real

March 31, 2004
When I had my psyche eval, this was something my psychologist brought up. (He'd worked with Social Security for several years prior.) It really depends on several things---like when you were approved for disbaility, exactly what you disgnosis was, etc. I was approved for disbaility in the fall of '95, and he advised me that I WOOULD lose my benefits once I was re-evaluated post-op. However, he didn't tell me at what point/weight this would happen, and so far I haven't heard abything from Social Security about it. (Medicare covered my surgery.) He did tell me that if I had additional health problems, that woudl influence the final decision. Sorry I can't be of more help---this is something that I wish I too had more info about. I truly hope I'll eventually become NOT disabled, but since I have severe arthritis in addition to my obesity, it's going to be a while before that happens.
   — MsBatt

April 1, 2004
I had my surgery June 11, 2003. I have been on disability since Sept, 1999. I have now lost 112 pounds. I retired with severe arthritis. My arthritis is better now, but not gone by any means. <br> I recently talked to my PCP about returning to work. He advised against it. He said that although my arthritis is improved, that he feels if I return to working at a steady pace, it will all flare back up. (I have arthritis in every joint in my body, and I had an acute flare up in every joint. This lasted about 2 years.)<br> He also said that, at my age (55), he does not think SS will re-evaluate me. According to him, as we get closer to "normal" retirement age, they become less concerned about taking away disability benefits. <br> Since losing the weight, I get around better than I have in years. But, I can also pace myself right now. If I return to work, my pace will be set for me....if I feel a joint fatiguing, I won't be able to stop and rest it. So, he probably has a point. Good luck with whatever happens.
   — Linda S.