Can you lose too much before surgery?

[rebecca_dsu 241]

I know this is probably a silly question, but is it possible to lose too much weight before surgery, and then be denied the surgery?

My current BMI is 36.5, and I have 8ish weeks til surgery. I'm heading to Hawaii in 5 weeks and am going to go back to clean eating tomorrow and tracking my calories (I've been eating too much Easter Bunny loot!) and am determined to lose 15 lbs before we head there (I know I can do it if I eat clean and hold my calories around 1,600 + exercise). That would put me at 34.2... and that's even before I do the 7 day preop diet which is only 1 week after we get back from Hawaii.

So... if I get to surgery and my BMI is 32-33ish...will they still do the surgery?

My Doc is Dr. Aceves in Mexicali...

[Pinky Green 260]

I don't know about your doctor, but I was told that they would do the surgery even if you lost all the weight beforehand if you still wanted to have it.

I was told we are approved based on our condition when we start and the fact that we have either not been able to lose weight - or in my case, we have lost weight in the past, but gained it back and have not been able to maintain weight loss.

I also met someone who had lost almost down to her goal while waiting to have the surgery and did not have the surgery and wished they had because they promptly gained back most of it.

[rebecca_dsu 241]

That does make perfect sense. I've lost down to 215 once, and down to 225 atleast 5 times...I can just never stay there or push past it. That's good to know that they base it on the condition we were in when we started the process....

I thought it was silly to have the warped mentality of "I can't lose now, or else I'll be disqualified from surgery" ...thanks for clarifying for me!

[DebDUtah 67]

I just met with my insurance specialist at my surgeons and was told that they can not deny based on the fact that I have lost or losing weight prior to surgery, it all has to do with BMI and other stated requirements. I would check with your insurance and ask them.

[rebecca_dsu 241]

I just met with my insurance specialist at my surgeons and was told that they can not deny based on the fact that I have lost or losing weight prior to surgery, it all has to do with BMI and other stated requirements. I would check with your insurance and ask them.

Deb I am self pay

[ashleep 22]

I'm going to dr. Kelly in TJ and the paperwork I've signed says that if your bmi is different by 4, then there may be additional charges....but I'm assuming that is if the weight is gained, not lost. I would lose what you can now, that means the less you have to lose after surgery! Have fun in Hawaii!

[sharonintx 1,275]

I think you will be pretty safe with your weight loss and your BMI if you are going to Mexico. I went to Mexico as well. They don't seem to have many hoops to jump through like the drs here in the US.

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

I was told keep the same initial weight or lose all I want, but do not gain more than my initial weight or the insurance could deny me.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

Oh no problem in Mexico. As you said you are self pay and they don't have any restrictions on how much or how little you weigh. Lose all you want and then enjoy the benefits of the surgery. Have a great time in Hawaii!!!

[ddgnj 6]

I had my sleeve 5 days ago by Dr. Garcia and I had a bmi of 30 and it was not an issue. My recovery has been easy! Surgery in Wed and I went back to work on Mon! I should have done this years ago! Good luck!

[Oakleygirl 53]

i am going to Dr Aceves too in July... i had alow BMI when I applied (31) with a history of weight issues/ gain... he told me I did not require a pre-op diet and approvved me for surgery but Made a point to say I should NOT lose any weight as a BMI of 30.5 or less would disqualify me from surgery. I think he does do lower BMI if you are a revision but not for "virgin" sleeves. Why not call him directly for clarification rather than guess... he is helpful and will ultimately b e your surgeon who makes the final call on it?