YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS DOC

So im a 39 year old morbidly obese woman with a BMI of 43. I have high blood pressure, degenerative disk disease, asthma and arthritis in both knees. Not to mention I have had 3 surgeries on my back that has left me disabled. The only chance of that getting better is if I loose weight. The Dr tells me today that in his opinion im not a good candidate for WLS. Soooo what more do I need.....when i'm dead will I then be a good candidate!! I'm glad the final decision isn't his!!

I would of asked him why he thinks that. Some insurances require the pcp to sign off on it, others dont. Good thing about it is you can always go to another doctors if need be.

I just always wonder why they think that you wouldnt be a good candidate for it.

Oh I did ask!! He said well your not diabetic, you don't have sleep apnea (he doesn't no that because im just doing the sleep tonight) or any of the other things that good candidates have. My response was well no I don't have it YET!! But, im almost positive my health won't get better at the rate im going....which is up!! That's why I have decided to have WLS!! Luckily my insurance he doesn't have to sign off. The funny thing is in 2009 he suggested it to me???? I confused I have gained more aright since then.

I'm glad it's not his choice either! You keep fighting!

Get a new doctor.

Get a new doc! Your BMI alone indicates you're a good candidate for surgery!

I agree-time for a new doctor.  Since you don't need his approval for surgery proceed with it, do your research and find a surgeon you like.  You can start by going to seminars that are usually free.  Congratulations on your decision.  You health problems will significantly improve if not disappear and you are smart to do it now before you become diabetic and need meds for that too. 

I had my RNY surgery when I was 39 (in 2010) and in April I'll be 42.  Only regret I have with wls is that I didn't do it in my 20s.  The 2nd half of my life is going to be fantastic in my new body (I went from 320 to 145, bmi of 43.4 (morbidly obese) to 19.7 (normal) I can buy nice clothes that don't cost a small fortune, I can walk now without constant back, knee and foot pain, I don't have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or sleep apnea, I'm off 10 perscriptions (including insulin 4x a day) and my CPAP machine has been thrown out.  I am still learning how to deal with my emotions and the way I react to them and past things that have caused me to now have these emotions.  Journaling helps me a lot--just to see it in black and white in front of me helps my perspective and makes me deal with these issues.  Exercise, plenty of sleep and keeping up with my supplements helps too.  

Good luck!!! 

Mallisa

My BMI is in the 50s and I have NO co-morbidities and didn't have a problem with getting a referral. I would try to change your doctor. My surgeon said he knew I didn't have the issues now, but if I kept on he was sure I would in the next few years.

Get a new doctor!! I didn't have anything like diabetes... high blood pressure..sleep apnea. i had nothing and I still got it. i do have pcos and my BMI was extremely high but i would go to another doctors.

There are all sorts of reasons why your doc might not think you are a good candidate - psychological, social etc.   Just having a high BMI and a co-morbidities doesn't guarantee that WLS will be a success!!!!!!

You really need to ask the reasons and then work on them.   This surgery alters your digestive system but it doesn't alter ANYTHING ELSE that is going on in your life ...

We see people struggle on here all the time and maybe your doctor doesn't want you to have the surgery because he/she doesn't think your current cir****tances make you a good candidate?

Or maybe they're an ASS???   None of us on here really know, do we?