Now that I have your attention, I want to ask you a question.
Do you think Bariatric Surgery should be covered by Health Insurance? Do you think it’s a legitimate surgery? Or do you think it’s a cosmetic procedure? Or,do you think it’s a public health issue? Since I had my bariatric surgery, I have come across people with very passionate opinions on this topic. What I will say, it’s certainly something not to take lightly. Many people believe obesity is 100% self- inflicted, whereas others believe it’s a disease. So, I just wanted to hear your opinions and get the conversation going. Please let me know what you where you stand?
I think bariatric surgery is as much about prevention of future more debilitating diseases such as heart disease, cancer and any number of diseases that are a result of obesity. Especially since it is curable and treatable. The medicines alone to treat heart disease and cancer are way more expensive than bariatric surgery.
Hi Beth, great points! Lots of people do benefit from having surgery. For sure, the increased expense regarding all of the health issues you mention and the rising costs of medicine are major considerations.
I think that it should be covered by the insurance .It is not a cosmetic surgery.You do not get obese because you want to.And I do not know one obese person who feel good about it.They might not want to talk about it and live their life .We all know that it is not healthy.
I would just say that they need to be talked to about the health risks and yes get good coaching………..
Hi Nancy, thank you so much for sharing your views. You make some very important points. There are so many facets to this topic and what you have written makes me think about this on a deeper level. I do agree more work needs to be done about obesity.
I myself has had Bariatric surgery first the lap band in 2005 then the gastric sleeve in 2015and I feel it should be covered by insurance , mine was covered 100% by losing the weight you are less likely to have obesity related complications I do feel obesity isn’t really a disease but an eating disorder that needs attention I don’t feel that it is cosmetic at all
Hi Jamie! Thank you so much for sharing your story and opinion. I Am more inclined to believe obesity is so complicated that I have changed my opinion yet I am sort of in between as to whether it’s a disease or an eating disorder. I am starting to believe it may be a combination of both disease and eating disorder. My own experience with my weight has lead me to recognize the scientific aspects of this issue which would be within the disease component and then there are the emotional and psychological components which would be within the disorder component. This is why I believe the obesity issue has grown and has been difficult to resolve. It’s a multifaceted issue which needs a multifaceted solution. Thank you so much for weighing in