Is Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) considered a co-morbidity/reason for weight loss surgery? If not, why isn't it?

Question

I keep reading that weight loss is the #1 treatment for IIH but can't seem to find much information on patents who have had weight loss surgery to help treat it. I found an article on it on PubMed but that's about it. Any additional information would be appreciated as I am considering weight loss surgery as my treatment instead of having a shunt placed in my head. I am 39, 5'7" and weigh 245 pounds. Thank you for your answers!

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

Is clearly related  obesity and IHH. This conditios in almost 100% of cases improve and disapear after weight loss. Bariatric surgery helps in this cases but not consider a major related sickness for insurance coverage in must of the cases. If have others like hypertension and diabetes you can see if you get the coverage.good luck in this journey

Matthew Brackman, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

IHH (or pseudotumor cerebri) is a condition known to improve with weight loss as might occur with gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.  I have commonly performed these operations on patients who have already had a shunt placed, which is too bad, because the weight loss operation would likely have prevented the need for the shunt.  At your current BMI you would qualify for bariatric surgery using Pseudotumor Cerebri as a comorbid illness.

Is Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) considered a co-morbidity/reason for weight loss surgery? If not, why isn't it?

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