almitch

To put it simply, I barely qualified for the surgery before I began the pre op appointments and have been following a diet via "my fitness pal" as recommended by the dietian. It's been very effective and I'm loosing weight. If I drop below the qualifying BMI will I no longer be considered a candidate for surgery?

Hi folks, Thanks for the feed back. No co-morbidities other than slightly raised BP. They told me that a BMI of 40 is the standard, at least for me. So I guess I'll have to wait my next appointment.

Today I had my first appointment with my surgeon, it went really well until I mentioned that I was leaning toward getting the sleeve. I was very taken aback when he told me that I'm too healthy to qualify for the sleeve and that a Dr. would have to "fudge" the paperwork for me to have it paid for by OHIP. I thought that because I am healthy and very motivated that the less invasive surgery would be the one for me. The Dr also told me that he thought that I'd probably fail, long term, with the sleeve. I really am disappointed and now have to really think about the by-pass.

By the way, I'm 300lbs and have a BMI of 41

Today I had my first appointment with my surgeon, it went really well until I mentioned that I was leaning toward getting the sleeve. I was very taken aback when he told me that I'm too healthy to qualify for the sleeve and that a Dr. would have to "fudge" the paperwork for me to have it paid for by OHIP. I thought that because I am healthy and very motivated that the less invasive surgery would be the one for me. The Dr also told me that he thought that I'd probably fail, long term, with the sleeve. I really am disappointed and now have to really think about the by-pass.

That is the Dr assigned to me, I did not pick him. My BMI is 41 and I only have slightly elevated blood pressure. We don't get to pick and choose out Drs. And this one is very good I hear but it's not the Dr that says no it's our government that sets the fee schedual as to what is paid for and when. I just don't fit the bill. And I can choose NOT to have the by-pass, but then I wouldn't qualify for any other surgery that is paid for.

I'm in Ontario Canada and our public health pays for the surgery. And they have a fee schedual they must follow.

The Dr said that while the sleeve is a stand alone operation now the Ontario Gov fee schedual is clear about who may qualify to have it covered. I could if, for example, I suffered arthitis and needed anti inflamatories to manage it.

I attended the information session and found that all they wanted to do was discuss the bypass leaving me with the impression that people serious about loosing weight get the bypass and less committed folks go with the sleeve. After researching both surgeries I feel the sleeve is best for me as the idea of being chemically depended on tablets to meet my nutritional needs for the rest of my life just doesn't sit well with me.