Expert: John Pilcher, MD - 7/16/2009

Question
i am 5'2 and i weigh almost 200 pounds and i am 21 years old
i just calculated my BMI an it was something like 36. i have had a gym membership for years and went to a nutritionist and tried really hard just never felt full... when i was younger i was also told i have athletic asthma (don't even know if thats the correct term for it but thats what she said)
alot of people in my family have struggled with their weight my mom even had gastric so i was wondering if you think i could get it


Answer
Raquel,
Based on the information you have provided, most surgeons would agree that it is very appropriate to consider you for weight loss surgery.

The next part of the question is whether your insurance will cover the surgery, and that is variable.  Between a BMI of 35 and 40, most insurance plans provide coverage IF there is a weight-related medical problem.

I suggest that you go ahead and be evaluated by a surgeon and team in your area.  They can help you figure out the insurance situation, and no one is going to think you are silly for considering surgery.

You can find a bariatric surgery center of excellence on the web here:
https://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx

Best of luck!
Dr JP