Question:
I am wondering if anyone gained weight to meet their insurance guidelines.

I was denied by my insurance company, then they upheld their decision in my appeal. Their policy states 100lbs overweight with documented comorbidities, or 200% of ideal weight without such documented comorbs. I didn't understand that 200% of ideal body weight was not 200% OVER ideal body wieght. So what it came down to was that I was a few pounds under their requirement. So, in a short amount of time I gained the weight. I weighed today, and my surgeons office sent in the paperwork from scratch. I am wondering if anyone else was forced to to this? Did your insurance give you a hard time? My surgeons office says that there is no way that they can deny me now because I meet their guidelines, but having been through the mill already, I am not so sure. Any input would be greatly appreciated.    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 14, 2000)

August 14, 2000
I did gain a few pounds too. I had heard of this happening, so I went for it ahead of time. I was barely a 41 BMI. I had co morbidities, but not heavy documentation of it. I have a buddy who also did this. She had all kinds of documentaions, but just to be safe, she wore some added weights! LOL!
   — [Anonymous]

August 15, 2000
Can anyone tell me where to buy the weight belts? I was thinking about getting some coin rolls to put in my pockets as well. LOL I am over the BMI of 40 but just over (borderline). I felt if I were just a bit higher the relationship of my weight to my other problems would be more apparent. EVERYONE around me EXCEPT my pcp sees the need for this surgery and knows I am at the end of my rope. Your surgeons office sounds supportive and like they are really pulling for you. They have had experience submitting these pre authorizations. Trust their word and follow up. Do what YOU MUST in order to get what you need to be healthy.
   — [Anonymous]

August 15, 2000
I barely made the 40BMI requirement and my comorbidities are limited. As far as the surgeon goes, he said, either you can gain 10 pounds and risk a heart attack or you tell me to add 10 pounds to your correct weight. I've been feeling so tired from the weight as it is, I told him to add the weight. There were no more weigh-ins at other visits, however, I will have one weigh-in the day of surgery.
   — [Anonymous]

August 15, 2000
hi. I, too, had a friend that wore ankle weights and put a couple of rolls of quarters in her pockets when she weighed in in order to meet the BMI qualification. It seems a shame to have to resort to this degree of deception in order to be "allowed" to have a procedure done to save our lives, but I guess sometimes we "just gotta do, what we gotta do". Good luck this time around and God bless. cj
   — cj T.

August 15, 2000
It seems to me that BMI is a reasonable way for insurance co to make a decision on coverage. When people "cheat" to get a procedure covered it makes it harder on those who do meet the criteria. It is also fraud. I find it disturbing that your Dr would lie for you.It seems to me that if you had comorbidities to justify surgery your Dr could have advocated for you without resorting to deception. Is it any wonder that insurance co. are so cautious and skeptical? We are talking big buck here as well as lives.We need to be honest for ourselves and for the community of people needing insurance coverage for this procedure.
   — [Anonymous]

August 16, 2000
In response the anonymous post criticizing those who wore weights or had their doctors lie for them in order to qualify for surgery, I agree that such matters are drastic and may be dishonest. But I completely understand them, including gaining weight in order to have surgery. For example, suppose an insurance company does not base coverage on BMI like most physicians, but rather on being twice your ideal weight. Thus, even if you are morbidly obese, you still cannot have the life-saving treatment you need. Suppose your ideal weight is 136 as mine is for a 5'2 person. At 230 lbs you're morbidly obese but cannot have surgery. At 250 lbs such a person is definitely morbidly obese but still cannot have surgery. Suppose I weight 260 lbs and need to weigh 272 to satisfy the requirement. I am faced with either losing 144 lbs and keeping it off (if I could do that this discussion is moot), or gaining 12 lbs for the surgery. I'm telling you right now, I'd gain the weight.
   — DanielleP

August 16, 2000
I got the idea from this site about the coins. I put 10 rolls of pennies in my pants pockets - it added a whoppin 2 1/2 pounds! But the leg weights is another idea. I personally don't think it's deceitful, we're talking a few pounds which is better than forcing yourself to gain weight. I think if it's important enough for you to have the surgery for your health, I agree "you gotta do what you gotta do"!
   — Ronda B.

February 8, 2004
Add the wieghts! Well, that is what i plan on doing. I am just scared they are going to pat me down. =) I am 5'9 and weigh 257 lb. I am over weight by 100 lb. But because of my hight my BMI is low. So i totally understand the frustration of not weighting enough.
   — Melissa W.