By Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. Provided by: Johns Hopkins University

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Why Aren't More Obese People Having Gastric-Bypass Surgery? By Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D. - Posted Thu, Sep 27, 2007, 9:38 pm PDT

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  • 1. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 7:52 am PDT

    If insurance companies would pay for it more people would have it done. My x-husband tried and was denied coverage. And he has diabetes.

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  • 2. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 7:52 am PDT

    If insurance companies would pay for it more people would have it done. My x-husband tried and was denied coverage. And he has diabetes.

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  • 3. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 8:41 am PDT

    i work with someone who had a gatric bypass and it really is sad that she can't enjoy eating out with people, any kind of food she wants.... i was lucky, my girlfriend got me a cd to target my subconscious feelings about being full....basically i only 1/2 of what is on my plate...and i'm full....after 30 minutes a day of listening to a recording...and i lost over 30 pounds in 5 months, healthfully.... www.independentachievement.com might be worth a try..it's much cheaper and it worked for me and my girlfriend.

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  • 4. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Oct 02, 2007, 8:38 pm PDT

    people are lazy and looking for the magic bullet and the hospitals are running seminars on trying to get people to sign up all the time....I would seriously think twice as this is not safe...you never hear about the thousands with permanent damage from this surgery. I am a physician and know people that died from this...stay away and lose weight the real way....

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  • 5. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Oct 04, 2007, 6:16 am PDT

    I am morbidly obsese, suffer w/ high blood pressure and severe sleep apnea. My doctor has recommended this surgery. However, my insurance does not cover this type surgery and I can not pay out of pocket. I desperately need this surgery but I don't know what to do. Is there any financial help for me out there.

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  • 6. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Oct 07, 2007, 6:40 pm PDT

    Omg I cant believe the comments these people are leaving here.........I was 100 lbs overweight when I had this surgery done 18 months ago...........THE best thing I ever did for myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I lost the weight Fast in 9 months And have keep it off with walking and eating right !!!!!!! Its a life change..its a start to get on Track!!!!! unless you Ever had a weight problem you dont know or cant understand whats its like ... People should try and understand but I understand most dont which is very very sad.................ANyways i congrat anyone who takes this as a new way of life!!!!!!!

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  • 7. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Oct 08, 2007, 11:52 am PDT

    Another reason more morbidly obese people aren't having this life-saving surgery is because our health insurance companies are refusing to pay for it. It seems very stupid to continue to pay for medications, surgeries, care, doctor's visits, etc. associated with obesity versus paying $25,000 or so that the surgeries cost, reducing the patients dependence on medications, regular check ups, blood pressure meds, cholesterol meds, etc.

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  • 8. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Oct 15, 2007, 2:44 pm PDT

    Just quit messing with Mother Nature. Be AFRAID of what you are eating. That's the best way to change your life. Break free of the allopathic medical system - one synthetic chemical or procedure on top of another - and get back to NATURE.

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  • 9. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Oct 18, 2007, 5:23 pm PDT

    "New surgical procedures, improved techniques, and greater experience with the operation have cut the mortality associated with this operation to less than 1 percent." Recent study showed a 5 yr mortality of 7 percent!! This includes double the expected number of suicides. This is NOT minor surgery and should be restricted!

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  • 10. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Fri, Nov 09, 2007, 7:01 pm PST

    I am 5'3 and weigh almost 300lbs. I have Humana insurance through my husband's employer. My health plan lists any treatment for obesity as an "exclusion". The gastric bypass physician I consulted with stated that in his 15 years, he has never had an insurance company overturn an exclusion. I suffer depression, anxiety, panic attacks, migraine, recurrent sinus infections (even after having sinus surgery), elevated triglycerdide levels, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, anemia, hypothyroidism, irretable bowel syndrome, recurrent bronchitis, a fatty liver, cystocele, rectocele, urinary stress incontinence, bilateral planter fascitis with 3 bone spurs on one foot and two bone spurs on the other foot (walking is difficult so excersice is out of the question except for possably a recombinate bicycle), insulin resistance (my last two pregnancies I had gestational diabetes so I'm at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes), elevated cortisol levels, chronic fatique syndrome, and fibromyalgia. I am a stay-at-home mother to three girls. My husband makes a good income, however, he recently lost his job in Michigan. Because he was flying to interviews trying to find a job, he missed his face-to-face interview in order to receive unemployment. After filling out a 20 page application for Medicaid, food stamps, housing assistance, free lunches for the children, utility bill assistance, and child care assistance, we were told that because we had too many assets, we were ineligible for assistance. Both my husband and I have college degrees, we have did all society has told us to do (401K, life insurance, long and short term disability insurance, long term care insurance, pre-funeral arrangements and burial plots, three months worth of expenses in our savings account which was interest bearing) so when we needed help we received ZERO! We sold our home, after having it on the market for seven months(for a loss of $75,000-poor housing market we were told). My husband moved to Florida in March, I stayed with the girls in Michigan until their school finished in June. Before marrying my husband, I worked as a case manager for an agency which provided services to the MR/DD population. When I moved to Florida, I attempted to get a job in my field but was told I had been out of the field for too long-thus no job. Even when applying to retail stores I didn't get a job-this time I was too educated. Finally, I decided to return to college to get a second baccularate degree this time in nursing-I was told that all my prereqs must have been completed within 10 years-I graduated 12 years ago. I have been seeking assistance to pay for laporscopic gastric bypass surgery, but due to my husband's income they have refused to provide support. The individuals I spoke with doen't take into account our expenses (my current monthly medical expenditures equal little over $500 a month). They seem to believe that I got in this terrible situation by either being foolish or selfish. My health problems began 9 years ago after the death of my second child. Does anyone know of some charity, hospital, organization, of physician who will pay for this surgery for me? I'm quickly losing hope in our society. I want to raise my children to believe that the world is just but I don't know how when I am be "punished" for doing what we are told to do-be successful, love your family, and remain positive even when the rain clouds begin to roll in!!!

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  • 11. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Feb 12, 2008, 1:24 pm PST

    I can't find an answer to the original question: why aren't more people having g.s.? (I am a three-year post g.s., very satisfied). One reason said to me about this questions is that people want to be able to continue to enjoy large quantities of food, so much so, that they elect to have banding done instead, so that they may have it removed when they stand the idea of leaving behind, say, 10 oz of a 12 oz prime rib. I am convinced that you have to have an eating disorder to get as large as I was, and that once the surgery is done, you still have that disorder. It would serve people right to ID those disorderd behaviors, so that they know what they'll still be dealing with (sans the bad food/quantities) the moment they come out of the anaethetic. - Karen

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  • 12. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Sep 08, 2008, 11:27 pm PDT

    I believe that anyone that do have this area done should speak to me in New york. We have 1 of the first Dr. that did this type of work on our advisory board in our company. www.yor.com. anyone interested in taking about it please contact me. 1-917-945-1996

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  • 13. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Sep 08, 2008, 11:29 pm PDT

    I believe that anyone that do have this area done should speak to me in New york. We have 1 of the first Dr. that did this type of work on our advisory board in our company. www.yor.com. anyone interested in taking about it please contact me. 1-917-945-1996

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  • 14. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Sep 08, 2008, 11:29 pm PDT

    I believe that anyone that do have this area done should speak to me in New york. We have 1 of the first Dr. that did this type of work on our advisory board in our company. www.yor.com. anyone interested in taking about it please contact me. 1-917-945-1996

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  • 15. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Sep 09, 2008, 2:21 am PDT

    hi I am wanting Gastric-Bypass Surgery so bad I have tried everything and lose a little then gain it back. This is my last hope but afraid The insurance will not pay. I have been disabled since 1991. Will medicare and medicaid pay for this surgery? If not why? thank You ..........mary

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