anyone out there with a lower bmi before surgery?

[smiley922 447]

I was diagnosed with diabetes in March 2014 and weighed 225 @4'11. I have been overweight since puberty and done every fad diet out there. I have had asthma, high blood pressure and sleep apnea for the last several years, 51 yrs old. I immediately went on a diet in March with help from Qysmia, a diet pill. Then in May got referred for gastric bypass. Continuing on diet, I am now at 179 with a BMI of 37. I cant lose more than six more pounds to keep BMI above 35 for insurance to cover. I think I would like to get to around 125 as a goal weight, so that means around 55 pounds, though my doctor has not told me what his goal weight is for me.

Any one else having gastric bypass have that low amount of pounds to lose? Most friends are trying to discourage surgery at this point, but we have all heard that I am sure.

[Danny'sGirl 21]

I will be having surgery on 8/26. My starting weight is 210 and my goal weight is 135, so that puts my goal loss at 75 lbs.

[smiley922 447]

My surgeon has approved me to do the surgery, he will not guarantee until after you complete his program, then it goes to insurance this week.

[sunnywillows 9]

I'm 4'11.5 and was approved for bypass at the weight of 185. Had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. With you having diabetes, it seems you wouldn't have a problem being approved.

I did have surg on June 26 and can't tell you how many times people have said they can't believe I qualified for surgery. I just say well I did and insurance sure wouldn't approve if I didn't qualify.

[NewBeginning2014 45]

Smiley- congratulations on your approval! I have heard/read may similar stories of low BMI-ers. You get the initial approval, but if you follow the program for the many months prior to the actual surgery, you may fall below your insurances BMI minimum and even with comorbidities, you then won't qualify for surgery. Insurance uses that plan to say even with diabetes or high blood pressure, if you follow the plan (forever) you will no longer be obese and no longer need surgery for being obese. How long is you pre-op plan? (counseling, nutritionist, diet...) Some insurance companies have many months of red tape which works in their favor because many people quit, or get under the BMI minimum and they don't have to pay for the procedure.

I was a low BMI-er and chose to self pay. Pre-op weight 201 down from 221, the highest I knew of (I avoided the scale like the plague!) Sleeved four months ago today, down 52lbs - coming in at 149lbs!!

There are other threads (maybe in the insurance section) that people discuss how they had to keep their BMI a certain level to continue with the procedure, you'll find some 'tips' there!! Good luck, don't get discouraged, it will be the best thing you do for yourself!

[smiley922 447]

I'm 4'11.5 and was approved for bypass at the weight of 185. Had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. With you having diabetes, it seems you wouldn't have a problem being approved.

I did have surg on June 26 and can't tell you how many times people have said they can't believe I qualified for surgery. I just say well I did and insurance sure wouldn't approve if I didn't qualify.

Sunnywillows, can I ask what your surgeon set your goal weight to be and how has your weight loss been post surgery?

[DaronB 103]

I have a BMI of 40 but am so close to the 39/40 cutoff it scares me. I was really hoping to be 40+ for insurance submission but I think it slipped into the 39 range. I do have comorbidities (blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep apnea), but I've been wanting to be at 40 to justify surgery.

My surgeon has not yet set a goal for me. At the start I was right around 270. I'm down around 265 but my goal is to be at least 160.

I get the same reaction from people that I don't look big enough to have surgery, but in most definitely am, along with comorbidities.

Good luck in your process, smiley!

Edited August 18, 2014 by DaronB

[sunnywillows 9]

Smiley, my surgeon never talked about a goal weight. The program nurse noted I would be at 70% weight loss when I reached 125. I'm 57 so I would be happy with 125. I've lost 28 lbs since surgery on June 26. I had two surgeries to remove hernias 7 days and 14 days post op. I'm still having problems eating and drinking. Getting an upper GI in the morning and I really think I have a stricture. I did have a 2 week stall in which I didn't lose an ounce, but that's normal.

Wishing you the best!

Edited August 19, 2014 by sunnywillows

[smiley922 447]

Newbeginnings2014, my insurance does not require a set amount of time on diet before surgery and the nurse said my preop liquid diet will only be 1 week. I was relieved at that.