Just wondering......

Did you see the episode of "Big Medicine" with Rose in it?  I just wondered what everyone thought of this.  If you didn't see it, here's the gist: This woman was over 400 lbs.  She did not pass the psych eval. and could not lose any weight pre-op because she didn't stick to her liquid diet.   The surgeons said that without the surgery, she would die.  The insurance company denied her, I'm assuming because of the failed pre-op stuff.   What do you think of this situation?  Is the insurance company right to deny someone because they could fail at their new lifestyle?  Or should they approve and do it anyway as a last ditch effort?

I'm really curious to hear what everyone thinks.  Do you think it's impossible for some people to lose weight without the surgery?

Actually the insurance companies can do pretty much what they want within the "letter" of the contract.    But a lot of folks fail to lose weight in their pre surgery diets, that is why we want the diet to begin with.   I would think it was the psych eval that kept her from it.   Mine was fairly strict.  They want to make sure that we are able and willing to follow the guidelines and handle all the physical and emotional changes that take place.     And yes I do think it is impossible for some folks to lose weight and keep it off without the surgery.   I am here because I found it impossible.   If I could have done it without surgery.....I would have been a happy camper! This is just my humble opinion.

I have been following this series from the beginning. I am really happy that they showed this case.  I was actually shocked that the Drs actually wanted to submit her paperwork without her dedication to the diet prior to surgery. I know Dr H would not be having that. It is his game and you have to follow the rules. Also with the psych eval I think that was strange too.  I think the insurance had every right to do that. Why should they dedicate the money and the time of the bariatric staff to someone that is not dedicated to the program 110%. I think that if people really want the surgery then they will do whatever possible prior to the submittal to get that approval.  I think that it is impossible for some people to lose weight without the surgery. Of course these are people that have that "fat" gene if you will. Where no matter what they try it just does not work. I am not trying to put anyone down here just my two cents.

I have a problem with the "fat gene" theory, because if that was true, than we would all gain all of the weight back after surgery.   Our DNA is not changed in the surgery, what IS changed is our lifestyle and eating habits, which is what we have been told all along.  I think that peopld believe that it is impossible to lose weight without surgery.  Do not get me wrong, this is the only way that some people lose the massive weight, but keeping the weight off afterwards depends solely if they learn new eating habits and lifestyle patterns.  Too many people are putting the weight on after a couple of years and blaming it on a failed surgery.  Just MY 2 cents.     Carol