Question:
Has anyone been denied GBS for having rheumatoid arthritis?

I am interetsed in whether any insurance company has either denied or approved someone with rheumatic arthritis. I have several comorbidities that will be helped or eliminated by weight loss, but nothing else that might be considered a hinderence to a major surgery. Has anyone had any experience with this?    — JennyLynn A. (posted on March 3, 2002)

March 3, 2002
Hi! I have rheumatoid arthritis and was approved for RNY by TriCare. The only reason I could see for denying someone with arthritis is because after Gastric bypass, you can't take NSAIDs anymore because of the errosive effects they have on the stomach. However, I have heard of people taking Celebrex with gastric bypass. I have not really had a lot of arthritic problems since I have dropped 40 pounds so quickly I am not in much pain. I do have occasional morning stiffness, but not really severe. My rheumatologist has thought for awhile that I was in remission and that the occasional pain I have is from the permanent mechanical damage from years of active rheumatoid. Over the years, my rheum. arthritis has cycled in and out of remission a few times. Hopefully this will last a long while. Otherwise, I will look into Celebrex because it has helped me tremendously in the past. If yours is severe, they have some new IV drugs that have been effective...I think they are immunosuppressants not NSAIDs. Take care and good luck. Arthritis is generally considered a comorbid condition which will HELP get you insurance approval. I have never heard of anyone being denied because of it.
   — Karen B.