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Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Bypass ... - 1/25/2007 10:12:21 AM   
ElectraGlide


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I just saw it on the cable news I was still half asleep. I think but I am not sure it was Blue Cross requiring a IQ test to get the gastric bypass. What are your thoughts ? I know a few people that got it and it worked great. Although it has not been long term yet. I know one person that got it when it was first available and you would never know because they gained all the weight back. The most recent person that got it that I know was munching potato chips like you would not beleive. I do not see great success in that case. I did not catch the pert of the news story on why a IQ test is required. I would bet if the person was not going to change their bad eating habbits the ins. co. would see it as a waste of money. How does IQ determine your desire ?
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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 10:19:11 AM   
LuckyAlbatross


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In theory it determines your competency to agree to take on such a risky operation and lowers the liability of the insurance company in case of something going wrong.

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 10:29:04 AM   
sub4hire


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I've seen it from all angles.  From death to success to failure.  Really whether lap band or gastric bypass it depends upon the individual.
If you cannot lose weight on your own and reduce your cravings...many cannot do it even with the help of gastric bypass.  They still have to alter their eating habits even if their stomachs are only 4 ounces large.
IQ test, well I don't know.  Perhaps it is to limit the liability on all parties involved when the person turns their diet into ice cream when its over.  Yeah, I knew a woman who did that...gained another 60 pounds within about 2 month's after surgery.

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 1:22:23 PM   
MizSuz


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They've isolated a couple of genes that are factors in hunger.  Apparently people with problems with these genes never feel full and/ or are always hungry.  Unfortunately it also means they'll have problems with jeans.  

Seriously, we've come a long way in recent years in seeing causes other than just poor habits for obesity and some of the research looks promising for therapies to address it in the future.  It's easy to assume it's some fault of the person having the problem, but I believe soon we are going to find out that we've been blaming people with genetic disorders for their symptoms.

We don't still blame epileptics, nor do we put them in asylums anymore.  We no longer see diabetis as the 'fault' of the person suffering it (for the most part).  I think we're going to learn something similar in the case of the morbidly obese.


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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 5:30:39 PM   
Termyn8or


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I would agree that the morbidly obese have some sort of mental problem.

Not severe, well at least not really dangerous to others, they are dangerous to themselves. In this screwed up society we might see people institutionalized for overeating, because once insurance companies bought the government we have seat belt laws, overly harsh DUI laws, and now laws banning trans-fat. It doesn't take much progress in this direction to cause overweight people to be confined to fat farms.

There are fat farms now, and while they don't lock you in, I think alot of them are out in the sticks to the point if you did walk home you would burn off enough fat and improve your health enough that the goal is accomplished, at least partway.

Do you realize how much I would like a banana split ? A BIG heaping plate of spaghetti ? Donuts !

I have money and credit cards and I can get these things. I have made a concious decision that I do not want them, regardless of the flavor. I think it asll starts when one is young. Feeding your children is something you have to do, but I have heard of kids who will ONLY eat chicken nuggets and fries. Or cry and cry for food.

What kind of adults do you think they will become ?

There is another thing too, you hear about people who weight 1200 lbs. How they do that ? They do not fit in the driver seat of most vehicles, they obviously usually don't ride a bicycle, and where are they getting the money for all this food ?

Because generally once you hit 600 lbs. you are pretty much unemployable. How much government benefits can they possibly get ? Or do they dip whole loaves of bread into grease and eat 6 of them in a sitting ?

I agree that gastric bypass, stomach stapling and the band are not the proper procedure to cure the problem. It takes a change in attitude.

When I was fat I had knee problems, back problems and neck problems. The neck problems were partly caused by a very old gunshot wound, but haven't recurred since I changed my diet. I look at the content of foods, not the flavor or aesthetic appeal.

I'll allow enough bread to have sandwiches, but always order double meat. I have pasta once or twice a month, and dumplings less than once per year. I don't use any sugar and shun foods that have alot of sugar.

Actually this year I might get my banana split. There is a place called Honey Hut that sells icecream with no sugar or artificial sweetener. The other indredients in icecream are fine. And it has real honey in it.

The poster who mentioned that some people have a defect that makes them feel hungry all the time. Someone who gains weight after such surgeries must have that defect. Logic goes this way;

The stomach is only a part of the digestive tract. These operations do cause a malabsorption deficiency, but when it is deemed in the better interest because of extreme weight, they'll do it.

However, even though the stomach is shrunk, they obviously do not feel full. That is the whole idea for these surguries, not to have the body absorb less from the food. So if such a defect exists, surgery will not work.

I believe that the "unfounded" hunger comes from deficiencies, which they REFUSE to analyse properly. If they did, there goes the money tree. They best way to make money off of people's suffering is to perpetuate it. Harsh statement ? Yes.

An animal husbandry professional, that's a vet for farms, knows what cribbing is. If you see a horse or cow trying to eat rocks or fenceposts or something, there is something lacking in the feed. The vet will provide mineral supplements for the feed and/or advise the farmer to get the animal(s) a salt lick. Unrefined salt has alot of nutrients in it.

A few years ago, there was a lawsuit over whether farmers could stop the mineral supplements a few weeks before slaughter. They could save a few bucks and we would not get the nutrients we need from the meat. Nice guys eh ?

The source for the cribbing theory is an animal husbandry professional AND an MD. He also said he thinks that kids eating paint chips off the wall are cribbing. Nice analogy. I think it very possible. How can even a little kid see paint on the wall as appetizing ? Also, how can a horse or cow think a rock is something good to eat ?

Their body is not getting something it needs, and I think this may be true of obese people. It may be diet, or improper diet for their body type, or an internal defect causing one or more essential nutrients to not be absorbed efficiently.

The human body is a very complicated thing, and I know I do not understand it completely. But again and again, evidence shows for sure that neither do they (doctors). I think the vets do a better job except in the mechanics department, that is surgery etc.

T

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 5:34:13 PM   
DiurnalVampire


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Are you sure it was an IQ test and not a competency evalusation?  When my exhusband went for his gastric bypass, he had t go through al sorts of psych evals and such before they'd allow him to have the surgery.  They needed to make sure (1) that his overeatting and morbid obesity were not effects of severe depression or some other compulsive behavior that could be treated some other way first and (2) that he was not a risk to himself after th eprocedure by engaging in damaging behavior as a result of mental instability.

DV

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 5:43:43 PM   
MysticFireTopaz


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What you heard is true.  Here's a link to the story:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246519,00.html

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 5:51:38 PM   
cjenny


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That is scary. Just scary and wrong.

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 5:53:38 PM   
MysticFireTopaz


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According to the article, a company spokesperson said the term IQ test is misleading and it's really a measure of the patient's knowledge of the surgery and the required lifestyle changes afterward.  If that were truly what the test was, it doesn't sound unreasonable.  In fairness, I would hope that people who initially failed the test would be given an opportunity to educate themselves, then retake the test if they were still interested in having the procedure.  However, the article later states that a true IQ test is required, and that part I disagree with, even though no one supposedly is turned away due to their score.
 
Personally, I have seen very mixed results with this procedure.  My sister had the operation in the 1980's and has been within an inch of death several times from the resulting complications.  A few friends have had it and are thrilled with the results.  A few others had it three to five years ago, initally were very pleased, but are now regaining the weight and are beside themselves.  I do feel it is a serious procedure not to be undertaken lightly.  I think it is an individual decision each person must make for themselves.
 
Lady Topaz


< Message edited by MysticFireTopaz -- 1/25/2007 6:00:37 PM >

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 6:39:18 PM   
LadyJulieAnn


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Interesting.  They require an IQ test for obesity surgery, but they don't test the competency of some people who want to become parents or care for children.  Seems like the latter might be more beneficial.

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 6:46:24 PM   
Real0ne


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quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyJulieAnn

Interesting.  They require an IQ test for obesity surgery, but they don't test the competency of some people who want to become parents or care for children.  Seems like the latter might be more beneficial.


only the smart ones get to be skinny


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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 6:46:41 PM   
Sinergy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

When I was fat I had knee problems, back problems and neck problems. The neck problems were partly caused by a very old gunshot wound, but haven't recurred since I changed my diet. I look at the content of foods, not the flavor or aesthetic appeal.



I decided at the age of 20 that I really didnt want to let myself go to hell.  So I signed up for martial arts and aerobics classes.  I ate a lot of things, carbs included, and seemed to have a BMI of around 29.

So I cut out carbs.  I increased my exercise.  Now my BMI is around 24.

Having said that, I do know people who eat 2 pieces of celery a day and still gain weight.  There are glandular imbalances which can cause weight gain regardless of what the person does.

Some people are morbidly obese because they cannot stop eating.  Some people are morbidly obese because of a medical problem.  To characterize all morbidly obese as having mental problems is rather dismissive, in my humble opinion.

Sinergy

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 7:12:05 PM   
deadbluebird


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i dont see how you can compair an insurence company having someone take an iq test before they will pay for an operation for them and the fact that ones compentency is not tested before they are able to become parents.
we live in a free country. this is not a communist country. having a child is ones basic natural right. having an insurence company pay for a surgery that may or may not have been caused by a health issue.
if one is not intelligent enough to take proper care of themselves this will cost the insurence company even more for follow up doctor apointments ect.
also i imagine its to protect against lawsuits.. say a person gets this surgery done.. and they do not follow the guidelines and something tragic happens like death perhaps then the family members would try to sue the insurence company for paying for this operation.



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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/25/2007 11:36:40 PM   
UtopianRanger


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I'll prolly offend someone here, but what the hell.

Unless you have some kind of medical problem.....this type of surgery is for lazy people who have little to no will power. And unless it's become more evolved, it's ugly too, with the scar that it leaves. You'll be mentally better off if you lose the weight the ''old-fashioned'' way - Through determination and hard work

I can't help you on the will power end {you either have it or your don't} but if someone needs help losing weight, message me, and I'll write a program for you that includes walking {or running} 3 miles each time, twice a day, a lota green vegetables, and at least a gallon of water every 24 hour period. You'll drop the weight in a uniform matter, with few stretch marks and start to believe in yourself.




 - R


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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/26/2007 2:55:12 PM   
LadyJulieAnn


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quote:

ORIGINAL: deadbluebird

i dont see how you can compair an insurence company having someone take an iq test before they will pay for an operation for them and the fact that ones compentency is not tested before they are able to become parents.
we live in a free country. this is not a communist country. having a child is ones basic natural right. having an insurence company pay for a surgery that may or may not have been caused by a health issue.
if one is not intelligent enough to take proper care of themselves this will cost the insurence company even more for follow up doctor apointments ect.
also i imagine its to protect against lawsuits.. say a person gets this surgery done.. and they do not follow the guidelines and something tragic happens like death perhaps then the family members would try to sue the insurence company for paying for this operation.



By your logic, everyone who participates in an activity that can cause health problems will have to have an IQ test before receiving treatment.  Yes, people have the right to have children, but not all are competent.

Be well,
Julie

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/27/2007 3:43:37 PM   
deadbluebird


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it isnt question about reveiving treatment. its about having a company Pay for an operation that likely is not caused by a health issue. an operation that may or may not make a difference.
there are many other solutions to being overweight other than a costly operation to shrink ones stomach. it isnt as if this is the only option.
and i never said all parents are competent.

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/27/2007 4:26:44 PM   
windchymes


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Sinergy

Having said that, I do know people who eat 2 pieces of celery a day and still gain weight.  There are glandular imbalances which can cause weight gain regardless of what the person does.

Some people are morbidly obese because they cannot stop eating.  Some people are morbidly obese because of a medical problem.  To characterize all morbidly obese as having mental problems is rather dismissive, in my humble opinion.

Sinergy


Thank you!  I get so tired of assumptions by lay people and doctors alike who make an absolute correlation between obesity and the amount of food that must have been consumed to get that way. 

I followed the Slim Fast plan to the letter and walked the treadmill at high speed on an incline during my lunch hour every day.  Two weeks later, I had gained two pounds.

Obesity is simply NOT an exact science.  A probable science, maybe, but not exact. 

Anyway, this topic reminds me of how auto insurance companies now take your credit score into consideration for determining your rates.  An executive friend of mind said that, while he agreed that it was probably unfair, they did studies and determined that people with lower credit scores had more auto accidents and thus were higher risk.  I don't know exactly how they're using the IQ level in relation to gastric bypass eligibility, but it must be the result of some trend they apparently saw.

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RE: Insurance Company requiring IQ test for Gastric Byp... - 1/27/2007 4:47:09 PM   
niagarafallssub


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i had gastric bypass on January 8th.  i did have to go through my primary physican approval, psych. eval, nutritionist interview, excercise class, nutrition class, provide 5 years of documention of failed diet programs, EKG, tons and tons of bloodwork, detailed family history and again final approval of my primary.  i can understand if they wanted to do an IQ test.  It probably is similiar to my psych. eval. i had to explain why i wanted it, what the procedure i wanted was, and in my own terms what happens during the surgery.  i also had to supply a lot of background information about myself, including relationships, family history, environment, and take a 500 plus question T/F questionaire to determine any underlining trends.  It is a life changing surgery.  my surgeron had even told me that before and after surgery i would hear horror stories.  The "my friend or a friend knew this person that BLAH BLAH BLAH".  Trust me i heard them all.  my friends have to know the sickest people there are out there, lol.  I heard about the death, the blood clots, the leaks, the person that gained all the weight back.  i mean  i have no idea how they seem to know ever sick person for this surgery, but they do.  i knew that my surgeron was one of the top surgerons in my area and he had preformed well over 2000 plus gastric bypass surgeries.  The hospital was a center of excellence and his statistics were excellent.   i was off work for a few weeks, everything is back to normal :) (Well almost, i'm just starting to get back into my bdsm activities, hehe) ;)

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