Well, I received the dreaded letter on Saturday from my insurance company telling me I do not qualify for the surgergy. I'm not fat and sick enough apparently. I don't thnk I have ever felt so sad in my life.

Can your surgeon write an appeal letter? Sometimes insurance companies play games by dening procedures at first. Don't give up hope, there's always self pay. i know a lot of people who chose to go to Mexico and have had no complications. These are options. Let us know how your doing.

I would call them and ask why. I got denied once and found out that I needed to do a more comprehensive 6 month diet. So I did it and I got approved the second time around.

Dorrie - I have a call into the insurance coordinator at the surgeon's office asking that question. Hopefully I'll hear back from them soon. I'm trying not to give up hope. It's so much money to come up with but I'll just have to try and find a way. I know very well what I face given my family history if I can't have this surgery. I've tried to hard for so long to lose this weight and I'm fighting a battle I just won't win without it.

TRY TRY AGAIN...I know people who have gone back and forth with the company and finally got it! Sometimes it takes a week sometimes a few months but they get it.

Lot's of inspiration here! Praying for you!!

If you care to share your requirements for pre-approval, and your personal stats (BMI, comorbs, etc.) we might be able to help you pontificate things you can use should you choose to appeal.

Don't give up! I was denied 3 times.

Yeah keep trying!! I tried for almost 10 years to get approved by several insurance companies!!

If you care to share your requirements for pre-approval, and your personal stats (BMI, comorbs, etc.) we might be able to help you pontificate things you can use should you choose to appeal.

Yes, thank you! I have a BMI of 38, 210/5'2". I am borderline on high blood pressure and diabetes but not on medication for either at this time. I did a sleep study and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. The insurance requires 40 BMI for automatic approval or 35 BMI plus one co-morbidity. Since I was diagnosed with Apnea, I am wondering if really is move one by them to see if they deny if I will give up.

Don't give up! I was denied 3 times.

Wow! It sounds like it does pay to be persistant.

Do you have 2 co-morbidities or weight related illnesses such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or diabetes? Did your doctor send you out for testing for these illnesses? What type of insurance do you have?

I think we were typing at the same time! Sounds like you've got what you need and I definitely agree..move one by them! Now it's your turn! GO FOR IT! Good luck and hang in there!

Yeah keep trying!! I tried for almost 10 years to get approved by several insurance companies!!

I knew I could rely on the fabulous people on this forum to help me feel better than I have for two days and to keep my confidence and determination up. My skinny husband's response was "Well, at least you tried." Please know, he is super supportive of me and this journey but it just goes to show that people who don't have to fight this struggle everyday do not know how this feels and how it felt to get that letter.

Lot's of inspiration here! Praying for you!!

Thank you so much!

Apnea should definitely count as a comorbodity. Also you might want to talk to your PCP and see if you have anything else going on. Lots of people have comorbidites and don't know it. I had early onset osteoarthritis, and had no clue... I just got a gritty sensation when I turned my head on humid days. I would throw in your BP and diabetes, too, because those will be costly to insurance in the long run.

At your height, 218.5 lbs will put you at a BMI of 40. What has your weight gain looked like in the past few years? E.g. do you have a trend of gaining about 10 lbs a year or anything? You could also "project" (as long as you have history to back it) a likely timeframe when your BMI will reach 40, and include that info. It won't win you an appeal, but every little nudge in your favor helps.

You can also see if your PCP could write you a letter explaining adjusted BMI. BMI really is a crock of poop. By any BMI stnadards, weightlifters with under 10% body fat are still "obese" because they're heavy. "Modern" BMI charts account for your age, gender, and build as well. One of my co-workers is very tall and lanky, "beanpole" if you will, and weighs around 200 and is categorized as "obese" and wears a 34" waist. Sigh...

Yes, thank you! I have a BMI of 38, 210/5'2". I am borderline on high blood pressure and diabetes but not on medication for either at this time. I did a sleep study and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. The insurance requires 40 BMI for automatic approval or 35 BMI plus one co-morbidity. Since I was diagnosed with Apnea, I am wondering if really is move one by them to see if they deny if I will give up.