I belong to several weight loss groups on Facebook and other types of media. I have noticed that there are several people that just need to lose a few pounds and are already slim. They are having weight loss surgery to lose may be 50 pounds or so. They already look like they are at a good weight. Do you feel that some of these people are having weight loss surgery and they really do not need it they are just thinking this is an easy way out. What do you think about the doctors that are doing this?

Why do people care about anything others do ? I worry about everyone. its a fault of mine.. also so many people got wls at my daughter's job that they canceled the company insurance... it was insane how many people got the surgery because so and so got it.. most were not prepared and have lost little weight and are miserable with their decision... i am not saying people who need to lose 50 lbs don't need or deserve the surgery but how many people use it as a quick fix...this is a life change and not to be taken lightly... so many jump in without consideration in my area.. off the top of my head i know personally 14 people that had the surgery..of those 8 did it because others did and eat whatever whenever with no regards for their plan.. They do not take the surgery seriously... it requires discipline and dedication..if people see this as a quick fix or a easy way out they will fail..i applaud those who take it seriously and fear for those who did this on a whim..

I worry about people, too. I also know when to mind my own business.

LipstickLady, you ask why I would care if it is not coming out of my pocket, please consider this...I am the owner of a small business that employs under 15 employees. We have always provided health insurance for our employees. For the last 3 years, we have had our premiums increased by an average of over 40% each year, making it harder and harder for us to cover our employees, so, yes, surgeries that are performed on these individuals, do affect us and our ability to provide insurance for our dedicated employees. High medical costs affect us all, especially those who have to purchase private insurance plans.

I own a small business as well. It's not my job to decide who's worthy of what medical procedure. As an employer, my focus is on providing my employees a fair wage, the insurance I agree to provide and a safe work environment. How they use their insurance is up to them, their doctors and the insurance company providing coverage.

I am going to have to agree with several of the posts here. I don't believe I have the right to judge anyone's weight loss journey or struggle. I am tall and people are always surprised to hear that I weigh 260lbs. They say "you carry your weight well". I am not pre-diabetic, I don't have high blood pressure. I do not have sleep apnea. But my family history says that this is my destiny if I don't do something about it now. This is a preventative surgery for me that will also help get me to a healthy weight. So I could easily be accused of taking advantage of this procedure. However, at one point in my life I was over 300lbs fought a good fight. Continue to do so. I realize that the sleeve is a tool for a healthier living. Everyone deserves the right to a healthier living. We all have travelled different journeys and faced different struggles. Isn't this where we should come together instead of judging? Don't we get judged enough already?

@@Momma_D, use your worrisome nature for other causes. Homeless people; rape crisis centers; the AIDS crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa; tutor children after school; volunteer in your community; women's shelter......you get the point.

Having this much concern about obese people on your daughter's job is just doing the most. Focus all of that energy into more worthwhile causes; this isn't one of them.

People are going to be people no matter what you do or say. There will always be people who abuse and misuse things in this world. I saw someone double dipping at work the other day. Didn't phase me in the least. I also saw a dear friend and coworker get fired for diverting drugs at work. There's nothing I can do about the sh!tt% decisions other people make, even if it makes things harder on me or other folks.

Let people live their lives and make their own decisions. You never know what path other people have walked, and those who you feel have abused WLS have to deal with the repercussions, not you. Not you. Let this go and concentrate on restoring your own health and wellness.

I actually do several of these things within my community. .i did not expect such an outcry on this post..i should had never posted..

Edited December 29, 201411 yr by Momma_D

I think your just reaching now. If your daughter'so job canceled the insurance they either had a piece of crap plan or decided it was cheaper to pay the fine and encourage the employees to purchase insurance under the Affordable Healthcare Act instead. People have WLS for a variety of reasons. Even those who are 50lbs overweight. It's simply none of your business. It could be a young woman with PCOS, it could be someone who is 4'11". Coulda, woulda , shoulda. It's simply not our place to judge.

They change insurance periodically.. blue cross blue shield..and they would not accept resigning the company. .they stated it was due to the surgeries. . It is a Indian Casino.. massive revenue. ..

They change insurance periodically.. blue cross blue shield..and they would not accept resigning the company. .they stated it was due to the surgeries. . It is a Indian Casino.. massive revenue. ..

Every employer has the right to change insurance and many do every year. Because they self insure and the n the following year the rates zoom up. And it isn't wls that is zooming up rates. It's cancer treatment, hip surgery, csections, vaginal deliveries,

A multitude of surgeries that make up the expenses.

It's an employers right to change their plan. They do this because the new jnsurance will likely get different set of doctors who agree to price services cheaper.

I work in jnsurance and do contracting trust me this is why

You are presumptuous that they switched because of wls.

Are you aware that a SMALL CARDIAC CATH is considered surgical event and it will increase the plan costs by $100,000 minimum?

A double knee replacement is elective and inreases the plan cost by $100,000?

A c- section depending on where you live sets the plan back between $10k and $75k ?

A vaginal delivery is not much savings actually

Dialysis - $10,000 -20,000. A MONTH!

Cancer oncology at cancer treatment center of America can set you back up to $10,000 A DAY!!!

Wls is a drop in the proverbial bucket of the reasons why an employers costs go up and forces an jnsurance change.

This is what drives your healthcare cost increases. Get educated. Look at those EOBs. Why do you think deductible plans are so popular?

They want you to get a reality check.

because of the way i carry my weight, i was always told by non medical professionals that i didn't have that much weight to lose, and that i didn't look "that big" prior to surgery. this had me telling those people to mind their business...i know what is best for my body.

if their medical professionals are allowing them to have surgery, there has to be a reason, and there has to be a reason that makes surgery a reasonable option for insurance to approve it.

just because someone is only 50 pounds overweight doesn't mean their body isn't suffering adversely from it.

Edited December 29, 201411 yr by mrsbailey921

I am going to have to agree with several of the posts here. I don't believe I have the right to judge anyone's weight loss journey or struggle. I am tall and people are always surprised to hear that I weigh 260lbs. They say "you carry your weight well". I am not pre-diabetic, I don't have high blood pressure. I do not have sleep apnea. But my family history says that this is my destiny if I don't do something about it now. This is a preventative surgery for me that will also help get me to a healthy weight. So I could easily be accused of taking advantage of this procedure. However, at one point in my life I was over 300lbs fought a good fight. Continue to do so. I realize that the sleeve is a tool for a healthier living. Everyone deserves the right to a healthier living. We all have travelled different journeys and faced different struggles. Isn't this where we should come together instead of judging? Don't we get judged enough already?

i totally agree. at 5'4 i was 250 pounds but wore a size 16...so everyone would always tell me im not that big, and all i needed to do was lose my belly...i got to the point where i would tell people to can it and not say ANYTHING to me if they couldn't be supportive. i am now 30 pounds lighter and have already began sleeping better, my ankles and knees dont feel so achy, i can fill my lungs up more, and i am NOT drowsy all day long. no matter how good i looked on the outside this surgery has helped me with that and SO MUCH MORE.

Edited December 29, 201411 yr by mrsbailey921

Every employer has the right to change insurance and many do every year. Because they self insure and the n the following year the rates zoom up. And it isn't wls that is zooming up rates. It's cancer treatment, hip surgery, csections, vaginal deliveries,

A multitude of surgeries that make up the expenses.

It's an employers right to change their plan. They do this because the new jnsurance will likely get different set of doctors who agree to price services cheaper.

I work in jnsurance and do contracting trust me this is why

You are presumptuous that they switched because of wls.

I was just going on what the head of that department told me since She was in on all decisions..she said the insurance company dropped them due to the huge amt of gastric surgeries. .at upwards to 25000 each the ins company lost money..

Momma_D: I too have had those thoughts, but only of myself - that maybe this is the easy way out. So I will ask the skeptic a question: I am 120+ lbs. overweight. With evidence of pre-WLS weight loss attempts supervied by a physician, I was approved for sleeve sx. I have hypertension, high cholosterol, low-T, sleep apnea, continual knee pain resulting from an accident 2 years ago. My only son is about to get married and I want to be around for as long as possible so I can see my future grandkids. y ins. will pay only 50% (up to $10K) after my deductible. with all this, do you think ishould have this sx?

I was just going on what the head of that department told me since She was in on all decisions..she said the insurance company dropped them due to the huge amt of gastric surgeries. .at upwards to 25000 each the ins company lost money..

Your story just gets better each time.

At the risk of sounding harsh... If people want WLS, their doctor agrees to it and they meet the insurance company's requirements, it's none of your concern. Seriously.

Since you care so much about everyone, be happy that people are taking advantage of this procedure before their bodies break down completely.

I think she was just asking opinions. I have a friend who is 320 pounds and no comorbidities but a 200 pound friend who has three. I think it's used for both cosmetic and medical. I think some ppl have their own reasons for getting the surgery and nobody has the right to judge. If I got a tummy tuck because I had weight loss surgery and lost weight and needed it does that make me better than a woman who had a few kids and needed one. It's same sugery different reasons both are deserving. I think it's the same with wls. If a person has 30 pounds but can't get it off for whatever reason and decided to get wls it is the same as if she had 100 pounds to get off but couldn't.

Edited December 30, 201411 yr by gigim84