Question:
Question regarding qualifying for surgery through insuranc carrier

I'm scheduled to meet with my surgeon on November 2nd. I weigh 255 with a BMI of 39 and have no other complications. My insurance is First Health NALC and they state in my book that they will cover gastric bypass for individuals 100 lbs over weight WITH medical complications. Am I doomed from the get go? I do have family history of breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes and leukemia. Will any of that help? I've been a yo-yo dieter for as long as I can remember and want to be thin! Help!    — Bea T. (posted on October 21, 2001)

October 21, 2001
Do you ever have shortness of breath, any arthritis in weight bearing joints, back pain, heel spurs. I do not have any problems with heart, blood pressure or diabetes, but have all others I mentioned and they are accepted as co-morbidities.
   — Patricia R.

October 22, 2001
I don't know about your surgeon, but mine never measured my height. I think that I may have written it on a medical history form. Maybe you could be a little shorter than you used to be? It seems that being an inch shorter may help your BMI. Just a thought...
   — [Anonymous]

February 24, 2002
When I started looking into this surgery, I didn't think I had any co-morbs either. But my PCP ordered some tests, and I have degenerative disc disease and sleep apnea (and arthritis and high trig, and more...). I have always tended to stay away from the doctor(embarrasment) and not complain about little aches and pains...I was surprised and now I know that I have to have this surgery. Ask your doctor about every little pain. Some little things are co mords if you call it by a different name.
   — Laurie V.