Rebecca, I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling down. From what I've read in other profiles you just have to keep informing and pressuring your insurance. Keep going up the ladder to the next person in charge and better yet do it in person. Maybe make a "weight history" print out with pictures attached, get a letter of necessity from your physician. Don't get sad.......get mad. I've heard of people getting another job to get an insurance program that does cover it. If you decide that you absolutely need this surgery then make it your priority. Let the insurance company know why they should pay for it now versus all the complications and costs of bad health 5,10,20 years from now. Good luck, keep your head up. It only gets better from here Rebecca. Andre Smit

I have 2 major medical insurances and none of them cover a bypass, which I really need. My IHC insurance was supposed to cover the surgery starting this January, but they offered it as a rider rather than as part of the regular health plan and my employer (also IHC) has chosen to not offer it to their employees. I was told they were going to cover it and prepared over an 8 month period to have the surgery only to find out through rumors that it wasn't going to be covered. My husband's insurance, PEHP, also doesn't cover it. I have been so depressed that it is hard to get out of bed and do anything! But I have 3 kids and have to keep on going. But my health is failing and I feel trapped. Oh well, I just wanted to vent. Good luck to everyone else.

I just read this on the Yahoo news site. We should be sure our voices are heard when it comes to this type of legislation, we are the ones *****ally understand what this is all about. Write your Congressman and send a copy of this to them. You know that our legislators will be under a lot of pressure from the insurance companies to NOT pass this type of legislation, we need to be sure we apply pressure that convinces them that our vote counts!!! d States Consider Obesity Surgery Coverage By NOREEN GILLESPIE, Associated Press Writer HARTFORD, Conn. - A proposal before Connecticut lawmakers would require insurance companies to cover the surgery for people with a body-mass index of 30 or more if a doctor deems the surgery medically necessary. The BMI is a widely used formula based on height and weight. The Connecticut proposal may not get off the ground this session because lawmakers are struggling to define under what medical conditions the surgery should be covered, said Sen. Joseph Crisco, a Woodbridge Democrat who chairs the legislative committee looking at the issue. The debate is not unlike others across the country. Georgia lawmakers are considering a similar bill this year. And in Louisiana, 40 state employees were chosen last year from 1,200 applications to get the surgery on the state's dime. The standard surgery, which can cost between $20,000 and $35,000, involves using staples to separate a small pouch at the stomach's top from the rest of the stomach, greatly limiting the amount of food that can be eaten. The procedure also involves bypassing much of the small intestine so that less food is absorbed into the body. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama recently stopped paying for the operations while it decides how to handle claims; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida has also decided to stop paying for the operation. In Connecticut, many major plans offer coverage only for large numbers of employees. Others are considering offering the coverage for an additional charge. "What we're starting to see is an increase in what we would consider at best, unnecessary, and at worst, unsafe, surgery," said Keith Stover, a lobbyist for the Connecticut Association of Health Plans. "Many plans decide the best course of action simply is to exclude coverage." But many physicians say the long-term benefits of weight loss surgery outweigh the risk. Gastric bypass surgery can help cure obesity-related health problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even diabetes, said Dr. Jonathan Aranow, director of the Middlesex Hospital Center for Obesity Surgery. It can also cut down on the long-term cost of medications, he said. "The surgery pays for itself in under three years," he said. "There is no question that there are cost savings." Last year the federal government opened the door for Medicare coverage of gastric bypass surgery. But some lawmakers and insurers are also worried about risks. State Rep. Anthony D'Amelio, R-Waterbury, said noted two people in his district died after having the operation. Complications strike as many as 1 in 5 patients having the surgery, and it is believed that for every 200 patients, 1 to 4 will die. Estimates are that more than 100,000 people will have the surgery this year. "I would rather see people try to do it the harder way, exercise and eating properly," D'Amelio said. "I know it's a struggle ... I think it's the safest route." But for some patients, the hard way hasn't worked. Deborah Sicaras, 36, of Wethersfield, has tried Weigh****chers, Jenny Craig, diet pills and liquid diets; she also teaches ballet, tap and jazz four days a week. "I'm one of the fortunate ones who will be able to have this surgery in the very near future," she said. "I can't do this by myself. I need assistance. I've dieted my whole life."

Hi Andre, I am still pre-op but just recieved insurance approval for RNY on Friday. I did look at both surgeries but in the end decided that I don't have enough self control for the band (if I did then I wouldn't need surgery!). Good luck to you!

I just moved here from Atlanta. I had DS surgery 4 years ago. I would like to find a primary care physician in Salt Lake City that has experience working with WLS patients. Thanks!