Bariatric surgery is a metabolic surgery which leads to progressive weight loss and remission of obesity related complications. It is a surgery which leads to numerous health benefits over the long term like remission of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, joint pains, PCOD and prevention of certain types of cancers. It is not merely a cosmetic surgery but prolongs lifespan and leads to improvement in the overall quality of life.
Bariatric surgery was not covered in health insurance previously as it was regarded as merely a cosmetic procedure. But now, it’s health benefits have been proven beyond doubt and all major insurance companies have started giving coverage for bariatric surgery. All patients who are morbidly obese ( BMI > 40 kg/m2 or BMI > 35 kg/m2 with comorbidities) are eligible to undergo bariatric surgery especially when it is done as a life saving procedure
Patients can now approach their health care providers and ask for the surgery under insurance if it fulfils the necessary criteria.