On the local news a woman who weighed 27 stones (378lbs) has been refused Weight Loss Surgery as it is not considered to be safe. She now wants to self pay and her husband is putting on an Elvis Suit and is going walking to raise the money for her to have the operation.

Should we help?

Do you have a link to an article on this? If her insurance denied her, she should fight it. I've never heard that denial reason before (not to say it doesn't exist).

I've heard that argument before. Someone else mentioned, I think if your BMI is over 50, you're at high risk during surgery, and I figured it would be doctors that deny you, but I guess insurance could too.

Sorry I should have made this clear. This is the UK. Most people do not have medical insurance and have to reply on the State for all medical treatment. Even our Medical Insurance companies will not consider WLS. Period. I had to self pay even though I contribute to the State System and I have private medical insurance.

Having said that do you think that I should contribute towards this lady's Fund so that she can have the op?

Seems to me the higher risk a patient is for surgery, the more they need it. Their risk is only going to continue to increase without surgical intervention. Without surgery they will die. And let's face it, only we fatties understand that it is not as simple as diet and exercise.

As for whether or not you should contribute, I don't think that is something any of us can offer opinions on. That is your choice. Her weight alone is not a huge indicator if she needs surgery. However, her weight indicates she likely has serious comorbidities such as DM, PEs, etc. So her weight is not the issue, or it shouldn't be. My doc has done people with a BMI of 100. It wasn't easy but he did it. 378 isn't all that unusual in the states.