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Did Anyone Have To Gain Weight To Qualify?



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Hi! I know this may sound strange but DID anyone have to gain a few pounds to qualify for the VSG? I've searched all over and can't seem to find my answer! I'm 5' 6" and weigh 216.2 My current BMI: is 34.9 I have been eating like crazy and the 1-2 pounds I need just will not stick. I currently have hypertension and high cholesteral. I have an appointment for Nov 20 so I'm really kinda anxious. Have you or someone you've known been through this? Thanks, Kim

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<span style="color:#0000cd;"><span style="font-size:24px;"><em><strong>Hi! I know this may sound strange but DID anyone have to gain a few pounds to qualify for the VSG? I've searched all over and can't seem to find my answer! I'm 5' 6" and weigh 216.2 My current BMI: is 34.9 I have been eating like crazy and the 1-2 pounds I need just will not stick. I currently have hypertension and high cholesteral. I have an appointment for Nov 20 so I'm really kinda anxious. Have you or someone you've known been through this? Thanks, Kim</strong></em></span></span>

Yup. I had to gain 14lbs to meet the criteria. I just ate nothing but take-aways and it piled on. It seemed a really bizarre thing to have to do but I am now, 3 months out, 178lbs as opposed to 238lbs. So worth it. :-)

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I had to get my BMI from 34 to at least 35, and over did it, getting to over 36. It wasn't hard at all for me - just happened when I stopped trying to eat less, as I had been doing for years. But it's long gone now.

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Yes, when I started, my BMI was 38, and I needed it to be 40 for insurance to cover it. I had to gain and maintain a few pounds in order to qualify. Luckily after the surgery, they fell right off. :-)

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Lol....I was soooo tempted to wear my heavy shoes and lots of clothing. I wouldn't go as far as putting a lot of rocks in my pockets though. Turned out that I didn't need to. My BMI was 41. After my 6 month diet, it is 39.9, so I'm hoping that doesn't matter much.

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I was curious as well. I am just starting doing research for WLS after a lifetime of being overweight. Right now I am going back and forth between which insurance will be best to use for WLS for both DH and I. Both insurance cover it, United Healthcare and Cigna, but I have heard that Cigna is easier.

That is not a problem for DH who has a BMI of 41, diabetes, high cholesterol, and severe sleep apnea so he would easily quailty under both insurances. I am right now closer to 39 - 39.5 BMI. And during the past 5 years, have generally been around 37-38. Lowest was 35.2 and that lasted about a month. Only have one co-morbibidty of high cholesterol for the last 4 years. I snore loudly, so I am hoping to have a sleep test and see if I also qualify for at least mild sleep apnea. But overall, I dont want to loose the chance - so I am considering adding a few pounds (about 5) and making sure my BMI is over 40. DH and I have a seminar and first consult next week.

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I had lost 12 pounds dieting with WW for 7 months. I had to gain back 9 of those pounds to qualify.

The first time I went in to the surgeon's I wasn't heavy enough yet, so they just had me call and come back in when I thought I was ready. It took about 4 weeks for me to get there. I added liquid calories to put it on.

I will say that just the 9 extra pounds has made a big difference in how I feel and look (not good!). For some reason I wasn't expecting that.

Good luck!

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I'm having to do the same thing to qualify for insurance. I just hope that all this pays off. I haven't had my initial consult yet but I did speak to someone to get an appointment finally made. Maybe I need to start another topic but I wanted to know if there is anyone else out there 4'9 or around 5ft and trying to get one of these surgeries done. I'm 180lbs I have 5 more lbs to go to qualify with 40 bmi.

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I'm having to do the same thing to qualify for insurance. I just hope that all this pays off. I haven't had my initial consult yet but I did speak to someone to get an appointment finally made. Maybe I need to start another topic but I wanted to know if there is anyone else out there 4'9 or around 5ft and trying to get one of these surgeries done. I'm 180lbs I have 5 more lbs to go to qualify with 40 bmi.

You can scrunch down when they do your height too... you can also wear ankle weights. .just sayin!

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Yup, my bmi was only 39 at my gp. She wouldn't refer me til my bmi was 40. Of course, I kept eating until my bmi was 42...never give a food addict an inch, she'll take a mile!

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Isn't this such a game. So much for early intervention and wellness promotion.

Susysleever...I so agree with you. The game is really getting to me. I am 5.9 and 240. when I went to the surgeons office in october to start my 3 months of Aetna insurance requirements and I has lost a few pounds on my first appt so I went in weighing on the low end of border line BMI but still there. Went for an appt the first of November and I gained 3 pounds and get told Aetna may deny me for gaining weight but then I am told by the nutritionist to not lose a bunch of weight or I will be under BMI. Oh My Gosh...REALLY!!!! now I have become a nervous wreck..what if I gain what if I lose??? What if I get denied over this crap?! its so frustrating and a stupid stupid game

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