KaiserKid

I am starting at around 200lbs and I'm 4' 11" (rounding up). My goal weight is 130lbs, which is still technically "overweight" for my height, but it's 70lbs I know I could never lose on my own (And boy have I tried!). Best of luck to you!

MGH, hopefully. Still in beginning stages and no surgery date yet. Here's hoping it works out. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey! Make that two for Boston! Nice to see someone else from my area.

I guess I'm in the minority here! I am having the hardest time thinking of this as a disease. 99% of the people in my life would think disagree that it is, so it's hard to feel justified when no one is validating your experience. I know why I'm fat. I was a fat kid who had zero dietary restrictions enforced by my parents, and just continued this behavior as an adult. I feel tremendous guilt for having abused my body over the years. I wish I could go back in time and yell at my teenage self "Stop drinking those Monster energy drinks, they're killing you!"

OK, so this has less to do with my own insurance issues, but is more a philosophical/social rant. Partly because I'm deathly afraid of getting denied by own insurance as I'm just starting out my journey. I'm super fortunate because my plan covers VSG. I know the requirements, and I meet them (for now), but I'm afraid of getting pulled a fast one and getting denied anyway. I digress... So, I've done a lot of research on this. If I were to pay out of pocket for a VSG, it will run me about $14k - $20k. I have health insurance through my employer and pay about $8k per year just for myself. I've had said insurance for about five years, only requiring an annual doctors' visit which runs about $1,200 (I've previously been accidentally sent the bill, so I'm basing it off this). I have no medications other than oral contraceptives, which are free (Thanks Obama, no pun intended). In doing the math, over the course of 5 years, I've paid up to the order of around $40k to my insurance company, which in theory could pay for two of these surgeries out of pocket. I've heard plenty of stories of people whose plans do cover the procedure, but are denied through some loophole the insurance company finds. I don't know all the nitty gritty details about how health insurance works in the US, but something seems fundamentally wrong if people are paying so much for a "service" (I know that's not what it is, but I guess we'll call it that for the sake of simplification) and are denied a request to use said service if the cost is less than what the individual has paid for over the years. Then again, I'm sure the $8k I pay annually "for me" isn't really "for me". Perhaps some of you can enlighten me on the topic? And in my case, I'm just saying I'll be really mad if the rug gets pulled from under my feet by my insurance company after I think I've done all my homework. I've hardly needed them in the past, thankfully. It'll just be disappointing if the ONE time I do need them, they tell me to screw. I guess it's called insurance for a reason. No need to comment or anything, as there really wasn't a question here. I just had to get it out and Twitter only allows 140 characters. End rant.

Hi everyone, After several years of trying to work with my doctor to lose weight, she finally recommended a visit with our weight center. I went to the orientation and they discussed the options - a general diet/exercise plan w/ personal trainer, a medication plan and a surgery plan. It never occurred to me that I might consider surgery to help my problem. I didn't care for the idea of permanently altering one of my vital organs - for life - but I am at the point where I am SO frustrated with my weight and myself for not being able to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. Then again, as of today I barely qualify for weight loss surgery - my BMI teeters between 39 and 40. (BTW, I'm 4' 11" and around 195lbs). I know there are people who have a LOT farther to go than me, so I shouldn't feel so bad for myself. My appointment with the nutritionist, psychologist and MD aren't until late August, so I have time to think and do my research. They may not even recommend surgery at first, but if given the option, I find myself not wanting to immediately say "no". What made you decide to take the plunge and go in for the surgery? Did you feel like you "failed" in any way? I'm afraid to even talk with my husband about it at this point. He's also a big guy, so I'm not sure what he'd say if I said I wanted weight loss surgery when he is also overweight.

Congratulation! That is great news!

Glad to see another Mass person! Yes when I called BCBS they told me the same thing. I hear they are "easy" to work with - not sure what that means though! Where are you thinking of going for your surgery? I'm going through MGH if everything works out. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm in the same boat as you were! I have no "real" comorbidities, BMI just at 40, but I'm hoping that because all my medical records show I've been almost constantly dieting for the last 6 years that if I do get an initial denial from BCBS-MA, I can appeal it pretty easy. Fingers crossed! Sept 20 will be here before you know it. Plenty of time to get those "food funerals" in.

I had the weight center orientation in June. I have to wait 3 months for my initial nut/psych/MD appointment, which isn't until Aug 31. I've done a TON of research and confirmed requirements with my insurance company. UGH. I just want my appointment to come already!

I weighed myself today and I'm 3lbs off from a 40 BMI, which insurance requires to qualify (no comorbids). I'm 6 weeks from my first weigh-in with MD/nut/psych. I'm putting a lot of stake in to this appt so I don't want 2-3 measly lbs to prevent me from having this procedure. Will they just tell me to go home?

Thanks PeggD - unfortunately (funny to say it that way) I now weigh 195 so I have to get it back up before my appointment. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all - I have BCBS-MA. I looked into their bariatric surgery coverage, and I meet all criteria except I have a question about 1 in particular. It says I need to have documented morbid obesity for 5 years. From my research, that is a BMI of 40 w/ no co-morbidities or 35 with co-morbidities. I have the ability to look at my own medical records at work so I looked into myself. So the past 5 years my BMI was the following: Jan 2010 = 39.0 Oct 2011 = 39.2 Oct 2012 = 42.0 Oct 2013 = 38.6 Nov 2014 = 38.4 2015 = not sure why I didn't have an appointment here, so no weight recorded Jan 2016 = 41.4 This year, I've tried dieting since January when my last weigh-in was, and now my BMI is exactly 40. I'm nervous because for most of those visits with my PCP, my BMI is under 40. I have no co-morbidities (that qualify - I have hx of depression and insomnia, that's about it). BUT, I was dieting through most of these years. As you can see, it was down, then up, then down, now up again. I'm scared that my insurance won't approve me. I haven't yet had my initial consult, but I am highly interested in gastric sleeve surgery and I just know that there is no way I can lose the weight on my own. I know I will forever swing from BMI of high 30s to low 40s, it's never-ending. I've literally been calorie-counting almost nonstop since 2012. My appointment isn't until late August and I'm doing so much research on this that I'm giving myself anxiety lol. Anyone else have similar situaiton? Sorry for TMI, maybe this should have gone into the Emotional Health section lol.

Silverthreads - if you don't mind me asking, how much did you end up paying out of pocket? I'm sure it's similar across BCBS. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Some days I feel like my weight wouldn't be such a big deal if I were just taller. BMI scale is not a friend to short people in my humble opinion. Tell me about how your height has impacted your weight loss journey! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all, I have my appointment with the weight center psych/dietician/MD in August - they have three options for people which include either diet/exercise w/ personal trainer, weight loss medication or surgery. After thinking HARD about it, I think I'm considering surgery if it's on the table. Reason being my BMI is exactly 40, I'm 4' 10.5" and fluctuate 195-200lbs. I DO exercise 3x/ week and have counted calories for several years, so I'm not sure how more of the same could help. Then again, maybe I'm wrong. I also read medications aren't super effective and I'd have to basically take them forever in order for them to continue to work. Would it be wrong of me to go in and request surgery as my preferred option from the get-go? I don't want to go in and presume anything since they are the experts, but after doing some research I think surgery would be a good option. However, being only 28 years old, no (qualifying) comorbidites and having a BMI JUST meeting the cutoff, should I worry about qualifying for any type of surgery? My insurance basically says I need to meet BMI of at least 40 and agree to the program (BCBS-MA). What are some things that they might ask me at my first appointment? Will my height (or lack thereof) be a disadvantage to me? Part of the reason I was referred to the weight center was because my PCP said if my husband and I want to have a baby someday, it's not advised I get pregnant at this weight/height. My appt isn't until next month so I just want to be as prepared as possible! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How did you feel about having to gain weight prior to your appt? I'm considering stopping my regular "diet" altogether and stop counting calories, etc. I'd hate to lose my progress but I guess a few weeks of feeling bloaty and gross is worth it if I can qualify for this procedure. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

How did you feel about having to gain weight prior to your appt? I'm considering stopping my regular "diet" altogether and stop counting calories, etc. I'd hate to lose my progress but I guess a few weeks of feeling bloaty and gross is worth it if I can qualify for this procedure. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! Yes my mom actually passed away last year at 54 from a heart attack. It was mostly related to her COPD from a lifetime of smoking but she was also probably around 275lbs when she passed (at 5'2"). I do not want that to be me so I'm scared I'll get denied because, as backwards as it sounds, I'd be "too healthy" in the eyes of the insurance company. I'm told BCBS-MA is good, but I'm still a nervous nelly! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App