Question:
Do I meet the criteria?

I'm hoping to have the surgery. I'm 22, 5'8" and weigh 240lbs with a BMI of 36.7 and wear size 18, so I just barely meet the criteria. However, my mother had the surgery last summer when she was wearing size 32 and had almost lost the ability to walk thanks to osteo-arthritis in both knees. Weight is a major issue in my family, as are medical problems. I suffer from depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, respiratory insufficiency, and sore ankles. I also had my spleen out a few years ago and was told that I need to stay fit and healthy in order to avoid the illnesses I am no so susceptible to. I'm hoping that my medical history combined with my family's medical history will be sufficient. I have an appointment in two weeks. Any suggestions as to how I should go about preparing my case? I've asked one of my long-term physicians to write a letter detailing how my weight will harm me medically and am planning to see my current PCP about this next week. Has anyone been in a similar situation?    — PT LawMom (posted on March 5, 2001)

March 6, 2001
It depends on your own insurance company. To me, it does NOT sound like you meet criteria, but then again, I'm not the criteria writer.
   — Cindy H.