Too Big For Surgery?

[Beanzilla 14]

Hello! I'm scheduled for surgery in late August of this year, and I just sent in my heath questionnaire. I'm going to Mexico, and in doing research and contacting different places, one of them told me that by BMI was too high to have surgery.

Um, what?

Now I'm afraid that that once this place sees my forms, they will tell me the same thing. I'm hoping that if that is the case, since I have a couple of months, maybe they will let my try to lose some weight first.

See, I can lose weight if I work really really really hard at at, but the problem is keeping it off. And if I think about eating, I will gain 5 pounds. Seriously, it just happened, right now.

I will be crushed if I can't get this done. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and I can't keep going on like this. This is not living. It's gotten to the point where I can't walk very far without being out of breath and my back hurting. I'm tired of being stared at by strangers, and being laughed at by them. I'm tired of worrying if I'll be able to fit in the seating wherever it is that I'm going. I don't want to just be pretty eyes, or nice lips.

This sounds so silly, but besides looking good and being healthy, I want to run. Just run for a mile, or two miles, and feel that stitch in my side and my lungs and heart pumping, wind whipping my hair.

I'm huge, I know this. I don't want to be this way anymore. If I could lose weight with diet and exercise, um, yeah, I would be doing that.

*sigh* Thanks for reading. I'll update once I know something.

[New_Hope 54]

I wish you all the best in finding a doctor to do the surgery.

[kimmy*custis 276]

Hi Beanzilla,

I have never heard of that. I know it is more of a risk with morbidly obese people just having the surgery but they do it all the time. If you get denied there, call another place. Best of luck to you, keep us posted ok?

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

This is very frustrating for you, yet another obstacle to keep you from succeeding. I would contact other docs in Mexico. I reason your opting for this surgery is because of your obesity. Don't give up, I hear Dr Aceves and Dr Garcia are really excellent surgeons! Don't give up, it can be done. Praying for you.

[Gene1970 179]

_{I am sure you will find a surgeon. Worst case they may put you on a 30 day liquid diet which won't be easy, but if it means that you can have the surgery I'm sure you can do it. 30 days is worth it for a lifetime of happiness!!!! Good Luck!!!}

[LaBelle509 326]

The first surgeon that I saw wanted me to lose 60lbs before he would consider doing my surgery (he's exact word to me)...I left broken. My surgeon placed me on a clear liquid diet and asked me to lose 10lbs before surgery. So it all depends on the surgeon and how they approach the surgery. Hang in there you will find someone. My friend's BMI was 73 at the time of surgery. He was required to do a full liquid diet two weeks before surgery and lost 20lbs

[Patrick Curl 424]

Hello! I'm scheduled for surgery in late August of this year' date=' and I just sent in my heath questionnaire. I'm going to Mexico, and in doing research and contacting different places, one of them told me that by BMI was too high to have surgery.

Um, what?

Now I'm afraid that that once this place sees my forms, they will tell me the same thing. I'm hoping that if that is the case, since I have a couple of months, maybe they will let my try to lose some weight first.

See, I can lose weight if I work really really really hard at at, but the problem is keeping it off. And if I think about eating, I will gain 5 pounds. Seriously, it just happened, right now.

I will be crushed if I can't get this done. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and I can't keep going on like this. This is not living. It's gotten to the point where I can't walk very far without being out of breath and my back hurting. I'm tired of being stared at by strangers, and being laughed at by them. I'm tired of worrying if I'll be able to fit in the seating wherever it is that I'm going. I don't want to just be pretty eyes, or nice lips.

This sounds so silly, but besides looking good and being healthy, I want to run. Just run for a mile, or two miles, and feel that stitch in my side and my lungs and heart pumping, wind whipping my hair.

I'm huge, I know this. I don't want to be this way anymore. If I could lose weight with diet and exercise, um, yeah, I would be doing that.

*sigh* Thanks for reading. I'll update once I know something.[/quote']

If you dont mind me asking, what is your current weight? I'm 657, & my doctor will and has operated on patients upto 800 lbs.

I've got a personal goal to get to 600 by surgery in july 2nd. I'm on 1000 calorie protien diet mostly liquid. I think to be successful we need to really educate our selves and be sure we can commit to the post op lifestyle.

I would recommend doing all you can on your own cause the more you lose preop the better and safer your surgery will be.

My doctor is dr brown in dayton ohio. Self pay is about 19k, the hospital will bill you and make payment arrangements, especially if you are low income.

Anyhow, good luck and I really hope things work out for you. I've been needing this for 4 years now but now is the only time I could really afford it and then only because I have family helping..

I know how distressing it is to wait and to get your hopes dashed when financing doesn't work ou2 or something.

Best luck to you!

[Beanzilla 14]

Thank you, everyone! Right now I'm waiting to hear back about Dr. Garcia. Dr. Alvarez was the one that denied me.

My BMI is 72, and I will do whatever I have to in order to get sleeved.

[Beanzilla 14]

If you dont mind me asking, what is your current weight? I'm 657, & my doctor will and has operated on patients upto 800 lbs.

I've got a personal goal to get to 600 by surgery in july 2nd. I'm on 1000 calorie protien diet mostly liquid. I think to be successful we need to really educate our selves and be sure we can commit to the post op lifestyle.

I would recommend doing all you can on your own cause the more you lose preop the better and safer your surgery will be.

My doctor is dr brown in dayton ohio. Self pay is about 19k, the hospital will bill you and make payment arrangements, especially if you are low income.

Anyhow, good luck and I really hope things work out for you. I've been needing this for 4 years now but now is the only time I could really afford it and then only because I have family helping..

I know how distressing it is to wait and to get your hopes dashed when financing doesn't work ou2 or something.

Best luck to you!

Thank you, and good luck to you as well!

I'm 420lbs right now. I'm hoping to get this done in August because I'm supposed to be starting my internship in the fall, so I would have to delay again for another year if this falls through, and I just can't wait anymore. And I feel like my weight has hindered me in getting an internship because I have had a hard time finding one, even though I interview well and have experience in the field.

[ThinnerTiff 172]

I hope everything works out for you, i understand where ur coming from it sucks that ur weight stops you from what you love, but everything will work out!

[danielbyhalf 16]

My surgeon has me loosing 20-25lbs prior to surgery. His reason was that it helps to reduce the fat in the liver. Since they have to move the liver to do the procedure it reduces the risk of the liver bleeding and causing more complications. I have never heard of "to big for surgery". if they tell you that ask for and explination, if it as simple as a precaution as mine that it is reasonable. And if that is the case let me know I am having to loose my weight in 3 weeks and am on a Protein smoothie diet and it is working. I wish you the best in your continued process, but never give up, keep fighting remember this if for your betterment, don't let anyone stop you.

[PEvette 297]

Hello! I'm scheduled for surgery in late August of this year, and I just sent in my heath questionnaire. I'm going to Mexico, and in doing research and contacting different places, one of them told me that by BMI was too high to have surgery.

Um, what?

Now I'm afraid that that once this place sees my forms, they will tell me the same thing. I'm hoping that if that is the case, since I have a couple of months, maybe they will let my try to lose some weight first.

See, I can lose weight if I work really really really hard at at, but the problem is keeping it off. And if I think about eating, I will gain 5 pounds. Seriously, it just happened, right now.

I will be crushed if I can't get this done. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and I can't keep going on like this. This is not living. It's gotten to the point where I can't walk very far without being out of breath and my back hurting. I'm tired of being stared at by strangers, and being laughed at by them. I'm tired of worrying if I'll be able to fit in the seating wherever it is that I'm going. I don't want to just be pretty eyes, or nice lips.

This sounds so silly, but besides looking good and being healthy, I want to run. Just run for a mile, or two miles, and feel that stitch in my side and my lungs and heart pumping, wind whipping my hair.

I'm huge, I know this. I don't want to be this way anymore. If I could lose weight with diet and exercise, um, yeah, I would be doing that.

*sigh* Thanks for reading. I'll update once I know something.

Now it is true that some medical facilities will not allow operations on people who are over a certain BMI...its not the doctor, its the facility....alot of times doctors use facilities to keep the costs down on patients who are self-pay....when I got my Lapband I had it done in a facility as a day procedure, Dr. Spivak did that to keep the cost down for his patients....

Some facilities will take the risk others will not...

The reason why I know this is because in 2010 when I was undergoing my 2nd knew procedure, my doctor wanted to use a facility to keep the costs down for my insurance, but my BMI was too high, so I had to go to a hospital to have the procedure....

[ThinnerTiff 172]

I only have to lose 13 lbs b4 surgery...which today was my appt and i lost 14,,which everyones right every Dr. is differant. my Dr is very strict and wants everything done right!.

[Beanzilla 14]

My surgeon has me loosing 20-25lbs prior to surgery. His reason was that it helps to reduce the fat in the liver. Since they have to move the liver to do the procedure it reduces the risk of the liver bleeding and causing more complications. I have never heard of "to big for surgery". if they tell you that ask for and explination, if it as simple as a precaution as mine that it is reasonable. And if that is the case let me know I am having to loose my weight in 3 weeks and am on a Protein smoothie diet and it is working. I wish you the best in your continued process, but never give up, keep fighting remember this if for your betterment, don't let anyone stop you.

Thank you. Good luck to you too! I've started making changes now, to ease into it, since I know that this will be a change for the rest of my life. Might as well start early.

Now it is true that some medical facilities will not allow operations on people who are over a certain BMI...its not the doctor, its the facility....alot of times doctors use facilities to keep the costs down on patients who are self-pay....when I got my Lapband I had it done in a facility as a day procedure, Dr. Spivak did that to keep the cost down for his patients....

Some facilities will take the risk others will not...

The reason why I know this is because in 2010 when I was undergoing my 2nd knew procedure, my doctor wanted to use a facility to keep the costs down for my insurance, but my BMI was too high, so I had to go to a hospital to have the procedure....

That makes a lot of sense. If I remember correctly, Dr. A was out of a facility, and Dr. Garcia is at the hospital.

I'm really glad this site is here. You are all making me feel much better about this, and it's nice to have a community of people who know what it's like to have weight and deal with all of these issues.

[CJ_Redux 137]

You can also try Dr. Kelly (who I plan to go with). I don't know his BMI limit, but he did put me on a 14-day pre-op diet in order to lower my BMI. He wants me to get it to 49 or lower (currently at 52). I was told by Omar that Dr. Kelly would still perform the surgery, but he'd have to charge more if I didn't get my BMI to 49. So it might be worth your investigation.

Also, I've noticed some of Dr. Almanza's patients who were in the 400lb range, so he may be another option.

And don't forget Dr. Aceves, whom everyone seems to swear is the cream of the crop! LOL!

Don't give up. You'll find the right doctor for you.