Get copies of all your record showing these issues, also copies of records showing your weight for the last five years(one for each year)) Also write down all the diets you have tried. These are all things they will ask for and if you go to the doctors with them already you will be a step ahead. Where do you live in Washington, I am over in East Wenatchee and I had my surgery at northwest weight loss center in Everett. Also things to add to your list is acid reflex and cholesterol if you have those issues.

I decided to have the surgery for my son, so I totally get your motivation! I had no issues with insurance because my bmi was so high (i guess it is good for something ) I had no other medical issues. I am six months out from surgery and loving life! I have found the blogging a good way for me to organize my thoughts and get my feelings out. It helps me tremendously. Good Luck to you!

Thank you both for the advice. I'm trying to gather everything so when I go to my PCP I have all my ducks in a row so to speak. Brenda, I live in Bellingham and if my insurance pays for it (GroupHealth) I will have to go through their approved surgeon. When I moved here 5 years ago my doctor at the time said my cholesterol was high and said I could try to control it with diet, but if I couldn't then he would put me on meds. I changed doctors (dumb move) and my cholesterol was never mentioned again. When I went in for my physical in January I asked my current doctor about checking my cholesterol and he told me not to worry about it!!! So needless to say I will bring this up and demand to have it tested again. If he refuses (no idea why he would) then I will go back to the doctor I saw when I moved, which coincidentally is the only doctor who has ever mentioned my weight problem and I have been over 200lbs since I was a pre-teen. I am just nervous I guess of them saying no. I think that I will at least have some questions answered after I see my dr next week. Thanks again for reading!

Changes,

I am one week out from surgery. I got approval first time out. I had to go through certain requirements which I think are typical. My BMI was 44, I have insulin resitance, but not yet diabetes and not other comorbidities. I had to see my PCP for 6 consectutive months, not missing one for weight control. My PCP needed to document that she discussed diet and exercise with me. I had to see a dietician within the past year and gather my weights for the last 3 years, which I had from my Gyn and my PCP. So, maybe you will be fine. My surgeon's office called and got a list of the requirements for me, so I could just check it off as I went. I started with them first, then went to my PCP, but I know many insurances need a referrel. I would just go through the process. A week before I got my approval, my surgeon's office called to reconfirm and was told it was not a covered benefit, even though last December they had said it was. The new person said the person from Dec was wrong. It was sent in anyway and approved. Good luck to you!