weight loss before surgery

[kdecker19 0]

Hello everyone I am brand new to this forum. I am curious if anyone was borderline BMI for surgery and had to do the 6 month PCP supervised weight loss. I am concerned/confused that if I loose weight and hit below the BMI then what???? Thanks for this wonderful site and all your help

[suzbredo 35]

I had these concerns as well but my surgeon said for insurance purposes they usually go with your weight from your initial visit since they want you to lose weight in the Pre-op phase if possible. Not sure if that's the case with all insurances... I was right over a BMI of 40 and for the first time in my life was worried I would have to try to not lose weight, lol...

[adargie 159]

I am on month 5 of the 6th month required plan. I was told my insurance WILL NOT cover if my BMI falls below 40 during the 6 months. I think my starting BMI was 40.7! So I have been walking a fine line trying to stay put with out gaining or losing. My last visit I was up 4 pounds, sigh. I really hope that gaining a few won't look bad but I am really going to try to get that extra weight off before my next visit. I am trying to increase my Water intake and exercise more.

So my advice would be to call your insurance provider and get an exact statement of what they require. I was lucky and my dr knew what Priority Health requires to a tee!

But I admit I am still nervous they will not like that I haven't lost much and deny me.

[suzbredo 35]

I am on month 5 of the 6th month required plan. I was told my insurance WILL NOT cover if my BMI falls below 40 during the 6 months. I think my starting BMI was 40.7! So I have been walking a fine line trying to stay put with out gaining or losing. My last visit I was up 4 pounds' date=' sigh. I really hope that gaining a few won't look bad but I am really going to try to get that extra weight off before my next visit. I am trying to increase my Water intake and exercise more.

So my advice would be to call your insurance provider and get an exact statement of what they require. I was lucky and my dr knew what Priority Health requires to a tee!

But I admit I am still nervous they will not like that I haven't lost much and deny me.[/quote']

That's so frustrating!!! It's like you're between a rock and a hard place I was actually worried all insurance was like this but again it sounds like they really do vary. Good luck and hang in there

[LisaDM 194]

I have the same problem. The surgeons office said my insurance wants to see loss during the 6 month period of weight management but if I lose more than about 8 lbs I will go under the required bmi. Also if I had no problem losing, I wouldn't be doing this surgery. <sigh> Silly insurance rules.