Hope I spelled that right... From what I understand the Indiana State
Guidelines for Gastric Bypass are Diabetes, Heart Disease, Asthma,
Sleep Apnea and Hypertension. My insurance company, Anthem through
Toyota (Toyota pays, Anthem just administers the policy for them) says
that my diabetes is not severe enough. Dr. Royalty at St. Mary's first
told me I should get a lawyer because she thought that was against the
Indiana guidelines or something. (I so don't understand all the legal
stuff) We can't afford a lawyer so that is out of the question. It
would be easier to just gain 16 pounds and get my BMI up to 40, and I
refuse to do that on purpose. Though stress might do it for me if I'm
not careful.
From what I understand, the hypertension is a done deal. It is
considered a co-morbidity and it should get me the surgery. I never
thought I would be happy to hear I have high blood pressure ;(

Patricia,
I have a friend that went through the surgery last year. She's lost
over 100 pounds and still losing. She has the same insurance as I do,
but she had a few more co-morbidities then I do I think. She also had
severe back pain and thought the gastric bypass would help her back,
but it didn't touch it. She just recently had to have back surgery. So
even if you do get the gastric bypass you might not want to count on
all your back problems going away. I'll try to get her to post on this
board and maybe she can enlighten you on what she went through and
help you get the help you need for your back.

Good luck to you!!
Judy