Low BMI

[GingerLeAnna 14]

So I have a question that I hope someone can answer. I have a lower BMI at 36.3. I have started my pre-op diet a bit early. I have read on boards about concerns of dropping below a 35 BMI. Is this due to insurance requirements, or will the surgeon not perform the surgery if you are below a 35?

[mae7365 372]

For me, it was insurance related. I had a BMI of 36.1 on the day of surgery. Insurance required my BMI to be 35 or greater for them to pay.

[JamieLogical 8,710]

Most likely due to insurance concerns. I know my insurance (didn't actually use it) only covers WLS for people with a BMI over 40 or 35 with comorbidities.

[ProjectMe 909]

My BMI was either 31 or 32 prior to surgery. The military process I went through takes 6-9 months from orientation class to surgery. My Dr's and nutritionists encouraged we lose 5-10% of our body weight prior to surgery. Their practice averages 30 pounds loss per patient preop. I kind of embraced the lifestyle changes and lost 60 pounds prior to surgery. I was a little concerned that I would no longer qualify. But it turns out that I qualified when I first started the process and my weight loss made no difference to my military health insurance...now I'm 7 weeks post op and at a 29 BMI.

[Susanjoyce392 66]

My insurance went off initial weight, so I qualified at 36+ BMI, but was 34 on day of surgery. Check with your plan to be sure!

[ls27 12]

My bmi was 35 and day of surgery 34. It took less than 2 months from the first day I went to the office. I'm pretty sure I was approved from day one otherwise they wouldn't have sent me on a wild goose chase. If your doctor is experienced they know the exact hoops to go through to get you in. Why would they want to loose a "customer"?! I was sleeved Friday after being postponed due to the "blizzard" from Monday the 26 to friday the 30th. I was 203 first visit. 210 second visit a month later. 195 the week of surgery. 190 day of surgery. Today I am going for my first post op visit ! We'll see how I'm doing. But other than that your bmi should be fine!!!