Cheating the consultation scale...

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Are you getting weighed in at your surgeon's office? They have every motivation ($$$$$ - they don't get paid unless you get your surgery) to make sure you qualify. So if you show up in your heaviest clothes and boots, with hidden ankle weights on and some more tucked into your pockets, and the first thing you do when heading to the back is say, hey, let's get the weighing over with - I seriously doubt they will insist you strip and give you a pat-down.

Now if for some odd reason you are actually getting weighed in at the insurance company office, that might be a different story!

[msjoy83 42]

Are you getting weighed in at your surgeon's office? They have every motivation ($$$$$ - they don't get paid unless you get your surgery) to make sure you qualify. So if you show up in your heaviest clothes and boots, with hidden ankle weights on and some more tucked into your pockets, and the first thing you do when heading to the back is say, hey, let's get the weighing over with - I seriously doubt they will insist you strip and give you a pat-down.

Now if for some odd reason you are actually getting weighed in at the insurance company office, that might be a different story!

Lol exactly my thoughts! !!!!!!!

[sassypants 674]

The only time I had a gown on and stepped on the scale was day of surgery, never been patted down either lol

[msjoy83 42]

The only time I had a gown on and stepped on the scale was day of surgery, never been patted down either lol

Lol seems crazy but hey Idk I'm paranoid so now I'm at the conclusion 2lb ankle weights it is per ankle lol

[Sarahjane79 397]

Both times I got weighed before surgery I was in my clothing and it was just before going in and talking to my doc. I even kept my boots and jacket on. Never heard of a doc making you get in a gown before weighing you.

[msjoy83 42]

Both times I got weighed before surgery I was in my clothing and it was just before going in and talking to my doc. I even kept my boots and jacket on. Never heard of a doc making you get in a gown before weighing you.

I never either even with my regular check ups with my pcp it's clothes on though may take shoes off.

[joydenstar 14]

Drinking Water just before does add to your weight. Maybe,drink one litre just before the weigh-in? Wish you all the best?

[Miss Mac 6,262]

Here is a complete list of co-morbidities that insurance companies use in evaluating your case. I got it from

dsfacts.com. DS stands for duodenal switch. Hope this helps. Maybe you will find some you see as familiar. I also provided a heartfelt letter for my packet, which explained why I need the surgery and how my weight and co-morbities were degrading my quality of life.

In that letter, I explained when I started gaining weight and listed the diets and exercise programs that have failed me.

I told them about family members who have died of conditions on the co-morbities list.

I included a list of the medications I am taking for conditions related to my obesity.

I shared info about surgeries and joint replacements and other treatments necessary because of my weight.

I told them about inconveniences and the adjustments I have had to make to function throughout my day, and how how the weight itself prevents me from an effective and agressive exercise program.

Then I closed the letter by explaining how the surgery would drastically improve my quality of life, and thanking them in advance for approving the surgery which would surely extend my life and reduce the need critical medical care in the future.

When composing any good presentation, follow these 3 rules:

1. Tell them what you are going to tell them.

2. Tell them.

3. Tell them what you told them.

Good luck.

Obesity Comorbidities

To follow is a list of comorbidities (additional conditions or diseases) related to obesity which may help you in qualifying for weight loss surgery.

• Family history of heart disease
• Family history of stroke
• Family history of diabetes
• Family history of heart attacks
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Coronary-artery disease
• Hypertension
• Migraines or headaches directly related to obesity or cranial hypertension
• Congestive heart failure
• Neoplasia
• Dyslipidemia
• Anemia
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative arthritis
• Degenerative disc
• Degenerative joint disease
• Recommended joint replacement from specialist
• Accelerated degenerative joint disease
• Asthma
• Repeated pneumonia
• Repeated pleurisy
• Repeated bronchitis
• Lung restriction
• Gastroesophageal reflex (GERD)
• Excess facial & body hair (Hirsutism)
• Rashes
• Chronic skin infections
• Excess sweating
• Frequent yeast infections
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularity
• Hormonal abnormalities
• Polycystic ovaries
• Infertility
• Carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer)
• sleep apnea
• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Depression
• Psychological/sexual dysfunction
• Social discrimination
• Premature death

For more information on the NIH qualifications for weight loss surgery:
Gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity. Proceedings of a National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference, March 25-27, 1991.

[NMJG 1,266]

hahah, love this thread. Some things I have heard that worked for others I've talked to at my clinic:

• Make a bead necklace out of silver lead fishing weights, the oval kind. You can add 3 lbs. with that.
• Fishing weights in your pockets or attached with safety pin to the inside of your clothes.
• When they get your height, don't stand straight. You can take off 1/2 to one inch easily, which can be the difference between making the cutoff or no.
• Right before you go in, drink Water. A 16oz bottle of Water is 1 lb.
• A few days before you go in make yourself constipated - no Fiber and lots of cheese and potatoes. You can hold onto several pounds of poop when you are constipated.
• Eat Chinese food the night before and drink lots of fluids but no caffeine. The sodium content will make you hold water. Caffeine is a diuretic - makes you pee, and that will get rid of all the water you are trying to hold onto.

Now if there were just a way to take off weight that easily!

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

You could always take your lead from a drugs mule...

Strap flat packets filled with lead filings around your middle with an ace bandage. Flat, form fitting, effective.

Or, depending on your <coughs> crevices, you could always wrap a load of lead filings into a couple of condoms and shove it where the sun doesn't shine?!

LOL and I am seriously joking about that!

[Photo925 100]

I never even thought of wearing weights!!! I actually just drank 4-5 bottles of Water in the parking lot before I went in

[Recycled 2,182]

Such irony........A weight loss forum discussing the preparations for losing weight by using methods to gain weight. What a world we live in..........

[woo woo 872]

The slouching thing really does work and can shave a few pounds off what you need to qualify in the first place.

Also go through your closet and find your heaviest pair of shoes or boots. Suede tennis shoes with thick soles were the winner for me! Good luck to you!

[BellaHugz 331]

Heck just load up your purse and weigh with it on.. Wish I thought of it but ya know how we load up our purses with out even thinking.

Here is a complete list of co-morbidities that insurance companies use in evaluating your case. I got it from

dsfacts.com. DS stands for duodenal switch. Hope this helps. Maybe you will find some you see as familiar. I also provided a heartfelt letter for my packet, which explained why I need the surgery and how my weight and co-morbities were degrading my quality of life.

In that letter, I explained when I started gaining weight and listed the diets and exercise programs that have failed me.

I told them about family members who have died of conditions on the co-morbities list.

I included a list of the medications I am taking for conditions related to my obesity.

I shared info about surgeries and joint replacements and other treatments necessary because of my weight.

I told them about inconveniences and the adjustments I have had to make to function throughout my day, and how how the weight itself prevents me from an effective and agressive exercise program.

Then I closed the letter by explaining how the surgery would drastically improve my quality of life, and thanking them in advance for approving the surgery which would surely extend my life and reduce the need critical medical care in the future.

When composing any good presentation, follow these 3 rules:

1. Tell them what you are going to tell them.

2. Tell them.

3. Tell them what you told them.

Good luck.

Obesity Comorbidities

To follow is a list of comorbidities (additional conditions or diseases) related to obesity which may help you in qualifying for weight loss surgery.

• Family history of heart disease
• Family history of stroke
• Family history of diabetes
• Family history of heart attacks
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Coronary-artery disease
• Hypertension
• Migraines or headaches directly related to obesity or cranial hypertension
• Congestive heart failure
• Neoplasia
• Dyslipidemia
• Anemia
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative arthritis
• Degenerative disc
• Degenerative joint disease
• Recommended joint replacement from specialist
• Accelerated degenerative joint disease
• Asthma
• Repeated pneumonia
• Repeated pleurisy
• Repeated bronchitis
• Lung restriction
• Gastroesophageal reflex (GERD)
• Excess facial & body hair (Hirsutism)
• Rashes
• Chronic skin infections
• Excess sweating
• Frequent yeast infections
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularity
• Hormonal abnormalities
• Polycystic ovaries
• Infertility
• Carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer)
• sleep apnea
• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Depression
• Psychological/sexual dysfunction
• Social discrimination
• Premature death

For more information on the NIH qualifications for weight loss surgery:
Gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity. Proceedings of a National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference, March 25-27, 1991.

I had so many of these combidities on my list and family history too yet NONE of that mattered with out having a bmi of 40. My father died at a young age because of obesity and still it did not count. Insurance is all about saving the big old $$ for themselves they do not care about the patient and it is very sad. Both my Doctor and the Surgeon told me this is the truth off the record.

I love to tell you it did help and I was told by my insurance before i started this journey. But I got denied at 38 bmi. So not tryng to be a party pooper, be prepared and be ready. Have your favorite last meals right before you weigh in. Know in your heart it is just for the surgery and then bury that last meal mentallity.

Good luck!!

[msjoy83 42]

Lol Omg I'm so loving this thread not only making me laugh but also shining some light