Hubby losing too much weight pre-op?

[420gal 1]

My husband and I are going through our WLS journey together. He's in his 4th month of the pre-op diet and I'm in my third. We met with our doctor today and found out that hubby has lost about 17 pounds since he began the hoop jumping. His BMI has gone from 42 to 38. Our insurance (Anthem BCBS) requires a BMI of 40 (35 with co-morbitities) in order to have the sleeve covered. Hubby has high blood pressure and high cholesterol (and possibly sleep apnea...a sleep study has been scheduled).

Since finding out that his BMI has dropped to 38, hubby is really worried that he's going to be denied because he's lost too much weight. I keep telling him he still fits the criteria, but he's freaking out. He feels his co-morbities aren't "strong enough." Meaning, because his BP is controlled with a low-dose Water pill and because his cholesterol is controlled with medication, the insurance company is going to say "too bad....you're not sick enough."

Now he feels he should gain the weight back to get his BMI back up to 40. I told him that was a bad idea, but that he should definitely stop losing weight at this point.

He asked me to post this here for you all to read and (hopefully) reply. Has this ever happened to anyone before? Has anyone ever lost too much weight pre-op only to be denied because your BMI fell a few points? Has anyone dropped a few BMI points and was still covered for the sleeve? Any advice or words of encouragement are welcome.

Thanks in advance!

[Tiffykins 673]

Most insurance companies take your first weigh in weight as your submitting and approval criteria. You might want to check with the insurance coordinator with your surgeon's office to clarify and confirm this information.

[bigjoe102 232]

The pre op dies is to show the surgeon that you can make changes in you eating habits and to also shrink the liver for surgery. Do NOT put the weight back on. I started the process at 489 lbs pounds in December. I started my diet the first week of January and on the day of my surgery I weighed in at 403. It will make so much easier on the surgeon and a huge jump start for your husband.

Respectfully,

Joe Lopez