The doctors office called me today. Apparently I am not "overweight enough" I mean sheesh come on. I am 5'7 and 230 pounds!! They said I have no health conditions so no way. That sucks. I am soooo bummed! Do you think I should try some other doctor? I mean come on I wear a size 20 that is not overweight enough??? I am really really sad about this. Need help what do I do now?

Thanks In Advance

Tina

Good luck to you!

Tina, my BMI was 36 also. What got me approved was 'depression, heart burn, racing heart, anxiety' All the above were 'not diagnosed by a dr. but my ME'......do you hear what I am saying??????????? I was told at first, I did not qualify either, but then I found some reasons why I needed it done! Keep trying, you can get it approved!

Get your cholesterol checked...if its high thats one co-morbidity.....any arthritis...chest pain, shortness of breath? Sleep apnea......Its worth looking into further....

This is all encouraging to me - I just got my denial letter yesterday, but my surgeon's office told me they're going to appeal it for me - I started this journey with a BMI of 41.5, but because I was required by my surgeon to loose a minimum of 10 lbs before surgery, and I lost 20, that put my BMI too low without a co-morbiditiy. I've already written my Insurance Co. and told them I have arthritis in my knees and intermitant lower back pain that I've complained to doctor's about, but they just tell me to lose weight! So, I'll send my letter to be submitted along with my surgeon's information about them requiring me to loose before surgery, and hopefully that will be enough! Keep fingers crossed! I haven't told my DH about the denial - I'm afraid he'll jump on the chance to talk me out of this - he's not at all supportive of me having the surgery. I told him he didn't have to support the surgery, but he did have to support me afterwards - I don't need any "I told you so's" or "Well, this is what you wanted's!" when I'm already feeling desperate afterwards!

Gma Debi, I feel your pain. I didnot have as much trouble as you, but I have heard that the insurance company will fight you every step of the way. Add in things like depression, inability to sleep, heartburn, stomach aches, back pain, etc. Things that they cannot "diagnois" per say......Keep the fight! I will say that I am a perfect example of why insurance companies need to approve the surgury. I NO longer take anti-depressants, no longer see a chiropractor (which the insurance co. paid for), have not been to the dr. since the surgery for ANYTHING (not even a cold). So the insurance company will be saving money on me in a few years! Keep on hounding them and go to EVERY dr. possible for EVERY aliment!

I did self pay. Didn't have to go for a psych eval or anything else. Talked to the Dr., paid my money, went right to surgery!

Tina, I know how you feel. I am having problems getting approved by my insurance too. It's discouraging, but don't give up. I am new to this forum and I am encouraged by the comments I am reading.

Enjoylife,

I don;t know where you are and if you have to travel far this might not work for your budget but dR. Spivak in Houston does it foe 9,500 and I am pretty sure that includes your first 4-5 fills.

I was approved because I had a bmi of just barely over 40. I knew this in advance and knew I was a little under that weight so I had a month to 'prepare' for my weight-in. If my bmi was 35-39 I would have had to have two comorbidities.