Question:
is weight loss surgery considered an elective procedure

if you have some illness that will go away with weight loss is this surgery still considered elective..    — SHERRY M. (posted on August 10, 2002)

August 10, 2002
The majority of surgeons will not perform WLS unless you are 100 lbs. overwieght and the insurance companies tend to have that stipulation of "medical necessity" for them to cover it. In my opinion, a surgery that is medically necessary is not elective. Could I survive without WLS surgery? Yes, but the few "conditions" that I have (and would possibly get later) would get worse the older and heavier I got. So some may say that I am electing to have surgery, but in my opinion (as well as my surgeon and insurance company), it is "medically necessary". Make sense?
   — karmiausnic

August 11, 2002
Yes, mine was consided elective. But it was covered by my insurance just fine.
   — Candi B.

August 8, 2003
Per Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary: "Elective: A treatment or surgical procedure not requiring immediate attention and therefore planned for the patient's convenience". My insurance does not cover elective procedures BUT does cover gastric bypass if medically necessary. There are quidelines that establish when WLS becomes medically necessary - BMI of 40 and above, or 35 with co-morbids that can eventually be life threatening, etc. If you have a bmi of 35 with no co-morbids, its all elective. Losing weight was necessary for me to achieve a certain level of health and quality of life. Having my nose made smaller was not.
   — Cera H.