Question:
Did anyone gain weight on purpose to qualify for surgery??

I just got home from the doctor and am utterly devistated. He really wanted to help me, but I am dealing with military insurance and could not even enter a claim because I don't quite meet the criteria. Despite the back pain and bad knees, they still say I am under weight by 20 pounds. I am 5'5" and weigh 243 pounds. I am totally miserable. They don't go by BMI, they say I have to be at least twice my ideal weight OR have diabetes or high blood pressure. Well, I want to have this surgery while I am still fortunate enough to NOT have these diseases. I can't imagine gaining another 20 pounds on purpose, but the only other thing I have to look forward to is continuing this life of yo-yo dieting misery. I don't want to live like this anymore. Have any of you been in my position and actually gained weight on purpose to have it done??? I don't know what to do now.    — Jennifer H. (posted on March 19, 2003)

March 18, 2003
Hi~ Yes, I had to gain 15lbs. to get where I needed to be and let me tell you my body feels this everyday. I HATE IT! I fly to Ensenada, Mexico next Wed. morning to have my open-ryn with Dr.Aguirre, I can't wait just to get this 15lbs. off. Everything hurts now, it's stange that 15lbs. made such a huge difference! But without doing this I knew I would never get to a normal weight, I've got 20 yrs. of failed deit history so there was no point in kidding myself. I know that I will lose this extra 15lbs. and more so thats the rainbow. Good Luck!!
   — latrishanickle

March 18, 2003
Jennifer, read my profile. I have Tircare prime, a BMI of 40.5, no diagnosed co/morbs. No problems getting approved. I am gong to email you privately.
   — Jan S.

March 19, 2003
The doctor is wrong. With Tricare, even if you get your care at the base, you can have a BMI of 35 if you have other co-morbids. If you have a BMI of 40 or more, you don't need other co-morbids. Freakin military doctors... sheesh! LOL! If it's not one thing... it's always another.
   — Diana L.

March 19, 2003
most of the doctors do NOT know what qualifies you. they know basic things. what i did was take a print out of the section in the tricare handbook that was about wls. the first time i went to a doctor i didn't do this....and didn't get approval because the "doctor" really didn't think i needed it. 2 weeks later i went in with the tricare printout(you can get it on the net) i was approved!
   — k K.

March 19, 2003
I am Tricare Standard and I did get disapproved for not being quite heavy enough (6lbs). I was 120 pounds over w/comorb and Tricare said I had o be 126 lbs. Which I ended up gaining waiting for their approval. Once the Surgeon re-sent my new weight I was approved within 30 minutes and I had my surgery 8 days ago. Initial BMI was 40.2.
   — Cheryl L.

March 19, 2003
Sorry to say but I think that people who gain weight to have this surgery is one of the reasons the insurance companies are making it so very difficult for others who are truly morbidly obese and at risk for death due to thier obesity to obtain this surgery. I do not have any suggestions for you....just a comment on ethics.
   — MissKimberly

March 20, 2003
JUST A NOTE--- I AM morbidly obese!! I am not trying to pull a scam here. I am 5'5" and 243 pounds. My BMI is over 40. I am slowly but constantly gaining. I've been dieting since I was 9 years old, and am sick of living like this. I do not have an "ethics" problem.
   — Jennifer H.

March 22, 2003
I don't think it is right for someone to have to be "near death" to have the surgery. if you are like me I would have gained 20# if I DIDN'T have surgery with out even trying. Educated people know that for a morbidly obese person there is a < 5% chance of losing the weight with out surgery. Do what you have to do. Maybe look at another Dr. who is willing to at least try to get you approved. Bariatric treatment center did it all for me with no fuss no hassle. Your Dr. MIGHT be misinformed.
   — **willow**