BMI Too High--Help!

[rentheadperson 0]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and this is my first post. And I'm so glad to see people in my same situation. Anyway, here's a little background info about me. I'm 28, diabetic, have severe sleep apnea, thyroid issues, asthma, anemia, and degenerative disc disease in my lower back. I'm 5'2" and weigh 432lbs (I don't look quite that heavy--I've always been way heavier than I look for some reason). I was told that puts my BMI at 79. I was about 230 two years ago when my endocrinologist took me off of Metformin and put me on insulin instead (I'm now on two different kinds of insulin). And all of a sudden I gained a TON of weight, really fast. I also have kind of high cholesterol, and my doctor also initially decided to put me on cholesterol medication. The number one side effect of this medication was muscle pain and weakness, and that exaggerated my back issues to the point where it was agony to walk from my apartment to my car. He took me off the medication when I told him about that, but my back has never been the same since. I've had a bilateral lumbar ablation (I literally had the nerve endings burned off of my lower spine) and several hormone injections into my spine, not to mention MONTHS of physical therapy, to try to get my back better, but it's done almost nothing. I live in constant pain so bad that I don't even want to get out of bed most days. I'm only saying this to help you understand that it's not that I don't want to exercise; for me it's literally near impossible. My back pain is so bad that I basically have no life at all.

Anyway, I've tried dieting and doing Weight Watchers and My Fitness Pal. But doing that literally makes me starve myself and frankly I've already severely cut back on my portions. I know I NEED to lose weight because it will help with my health issues and my back pain, but I'm having a hard time doing it on my own. I talked to my PCP and requested a referral to the bariatric surgery department in my health care system. I did the online seminar and requested a consultation, but they called me back and told me that they wouldn't even consider seeing me until I lost 90 pounds. Because of my back issues making it near impossible to exercise, I know I can't lose that kind of weight without help, likely surgical help. At this point, I'm so frustrated and I don't know what to do. I'm not rich by any means. Honestly, even with my employer-provided insurance, which covers my medications under a prescription plan, most of my paycheck still goes to paying for my medicine and CPAP machine. My insurance covers weight loss surgery, but that won't do a darn thing for me if I can't find a doctor who will do the surgery. Any help or advice is welcome at this point. Thanks.

[linah 92]

Hey everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post. And I'm so glad to see people in my same situation. Anyway, here's a little background info about me. I'm 28, diabetic, have severe sleep apnea, thyroid issues, asthma, anemia, and degenerative disc disease in my lower back. I'm 5'2" and weigh 432lbs (I don't look quite that heavy--I've always been way heavier than I look for some reason). I was told that puts my BMI at 79. I was about 230 two years ago when my endocrinologist took me off of Metformin and put me on insulin instead (I'm now on two different kinds of insulin). And all of a sudden I gained a TON of weight, really fast. I also have kind of high cholesterol, and my doctor also initially decided to put me on cholesterol medication. The number one side effect of this medication was muscle pain and weakness, and that exaggerated my back issues to the point where it was agony to walk from my apartment to my car. He took me off the medication when I told him about that, but my back has never been the same since. I've had a bilateral lumbar ablation (I literally had the nerve endings burned off of my lower spine) and several hormone injections into my spine, not to mention MONTHS of physical therapy, to try to get my back better, but it's done almost nothing. I live in constant pain so bad that I don't even want to get out of bed most days. I'm only saying this to help you understand that it's not that I don't want to exercise; for me it's literally near impossible. My back pain is so bad that I basically have no life at all.
Anyway, I've tried dieting and doing Weight Watchers and My Fitness Pal. But doing that literally makes me starve myself and frankly I've already severely cut back on my portions. I know I NEED to lose weight because it will help with my health issues and my back pain, but I'm having a hard time doing it on my own. I talked to my PCP and requested a referral to the bariatric surgery department in my health care system. I did the online seminar and requested a consultation, but they called me back and told me that they wouldn't even consider seeing me until I lost 90 pounds. Because of my back issues making it near impossible to exercise, I know I can't lose that kind of weight without help, likely surgical help. At this point, I'm so frustrated and I don't know what to do. I'm not rich by any means. Honestly, even with my employer-provided insurance, which covers my medications under a prescription plan, most of my paycheck still goes to paying for my medicine and CPAP machine. My insurance covers weight loss surgery, but that won't do a darn thing for me if I can't find a doctor who will do the surgery. Any help or advice is welcome at this point. Thanks.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, is it possible to change the medicines you are on? (as your weight gain over the last 2 yrs could be a reaction to the medication ) to see if that will help you lose the initial weight? You might also want to consider contacting a Dr in Mexico to discuss your case (a lot of people on the forum have had their op in Mexico and have named their Drs if you would like to check it out). Their requirements might be different and you may be able to do your op there. Good luck and wish you all the best.

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[jene786 16]

Sometimes it's what we eat and refuse to accept responsibility for it, don't only cut the portions stick to protiens more then anything, and put it in ur mind that u have to do it for your self, try excercising to take ur mind off food and also take sugar out of your life completely, that alone will work wonders for you, plan it meals for the weak and stick on the fridge, as that will help u not to go wrong, we have to do it, if u excercise and watch what I eat u could loose up to 50 pounds in one month,but don't cheat. Good luck

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[GassyGurl 428]

Does your Bariatric Center offer a non surgical weight loss program? That could be a great place to start, and when you lose the 90 lbs, you can see the Bariatric Dr.

There are people who lose without exercise, but you should still do as much as you can. I know it feels like you might starve on weight watchers, but you won't.

Have you tried a counselor? Lots of people have said it really helped change their mindset about food.

You can do this! If it seems overwhelming, make a small change, then another, then another. Take one day at a time and convince yourself you can do this.

Wishing you the best.

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[catwoman7 11,212]

does your insurance cover surgery by other surgeons? Some surgeons have a BMI limit, others don't. If not, you'll need to lose the 90 lbs. I like the idea another poster had about getting into a non-surgical weight loss program first (a medical one) to lose the 90 lbs - THEN pursue the surgery.

[Apple1 2,572]

It is my understanding that losing weight is mostly about your diet so not exercising shouldn't stop you from losing weight. I would try a low carb diet and see if that helps get you stared losing weight. If you google low carb diet you should find tons of information about it. Ask your doctor about a medically supervised diet also and see if that is available to you.

I hope you can find the strength to get started and wish you good luck.

[lindabalseca 373]

Sometimes it's what we eat and refuse to accept responsibility for it, don't only cut the portions stick to protiens more then anything, and put it in ur mind that u have to do it for your self, try excercising to take ur mind off food and also take sugar out of your life completely, that alone will work wonders for you, plan it meals for the weak and stick on the fridge, as that will help u not to go wrong, we have to do it, if u excercise and watch what I eat u could loose up to 50 pounds in one month,but don't cheat. Good luck

Sent from my Pixel XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Did u skip the part where she's in horrible pain and is hard to exercise??? I'm sure she would do if she could...

[lindabalseca 373]

Hey everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post. And I'm so glad to see people in my same situation. Anyway, here's a little background info about me. I'm 28, diabetic, have severe sleep apnea, thyroid issues, asthma, anemia, and degenerative disc disease in my lower back. I'm 5'2" and weigh 432lbs (I don't look quite that heavy--I've always been way heavier than I look for some reason). I was told that puts my BMI at 79. I was about 230 two years ago when my endocrinologist took me off of Metformin and put me on insulin instead (I'm now on two different kinds of insulin). And all of a sudden I gained a TON of weight, really fast. I also have kind of high cholesterol, and my doctor also initially decided to put me on cholesterol medication. The number one side effect of this medication was muscle pain and weakness, and that exaggerated my back issues to the point where it was agony to walk from my apartment to my car. He took me off the medication when I told him about that, but my back has never been the same since. I've had a bilateral lumbar ablation (I literally had the nerve endings burned off of my lower spine) and several hormone injections into my spine, not to mention MONTHS of physical therapy, to try to get my back better, but it's done almost nothing. I live in constant pain so bad that I don't even want to get out of bed most days. I'm only saying this to help you understand that it's not that I don't want to exercise; for me it's literally near impossible. My back pain is so bad that I basically have no life at all.
Anyway, I've tried dieting and doing Weight Watchers and My Fitness Pal. But doing that literally makes me starve myself and frankly I've already severely cut back on my portions. I know I NEED to lose weight because it will help with my health issues and my back pain, but I'm having a hard time doing it on my own. I talked to my PCP and requested a referral to the bariatric surgery department in my health care system. I did the online seminar and requested a consultation, but they called me back and told me that they wouldn't even consider seeing me until I lost 90 pounds. Because of my back issues making it near impossible to exercise, I know I can't lose that kind of weight without help, likely surgical help. At this point, I'm so frustrated and I don't know what to do. I'm not rich by any means. Honestly, even with my employer-provided insurance, which covers my medications under a prescription plan, most of my paycheck still goes to paying for my medicine and CPAP machine. My insurance covers weight loss surgery, but that won't do a darn thing for me if I can't find a doctor who will do the surgery. Any help or advice is welcome at this point. Thanks.

Just curious what insulins are u on...my blood pressure and cholesterol meds are doing the same to my back...I was able to drop the cholesterol med but he won't budge on the bp meds...I've cut out a lot in my diet so that I can reduce my A1c and it worked...went from 9 to 6.4 in 2 months... my BMi is high also 58[emoji33]....even with these changes I haven't been able to drop not even one pound...I barely eat sometimes....I haven't been able to do much in the lines of exercise but I have been doing crunches on my bed...resistance bands can be done on a chair YouTube even has chair exercises videos...I totally get the back pain....I can't even walk around a store more than ten min at best...I'm in Chicago you should look up dr lutfi

[teacupnosaucer 445]

I know many of the high BMI patients through our program, in order to get down to a surgery-safe weight, will go on a medically supervised diet called Optifast. They also are prescribed Saxenda injections. The goal of these programs isn't the "lifelong changes to diet and exercise" piece that they'll ultimately have to incorporate eventually, but straight up "lose as much weight as possible as fast as possible so you can get onto that surgery table safely and continue treatment".

Maybe ask about either of those options? A high BMI puts you at high surgical risk, but it hardly seems a fair alternative to just say "welp either magically lose 90 pounds or don't bother" without any of the comprehensive support you need to HELP you lose those 90 lbs. You need this, you know you need this, you DESERVE this chance... now just to find you a program that is willing to help you get there in a safe and realistic way.

Does your insurance cover exercise therapists or physio? With your pain levels I do NOT blame you for not exercising, and honestly wouldn't recommend you just jump out and "do it anyway" even if you thought you could. It sounds to me like having a professional guide you with appropriate movement that will not further injure your body would be the best bet.

Some bariatric programs are literally just throw you into surgery sink or swim, but other programs are more holistic in their approach. I know ours hooks people up with classes, with a psychologist and therapy, a registered dietician, an exercise therapist, a social worker if need be... Surgery for many people really needs to be one aspect of care, not the be all and end all. It's just a matter of finding a clinic that provides that level of care.

[jene786 16]

Did u skip the part where she's in horrible pain and is hard to exercise??? I'm sure she would do if she could...

lindabalseca u just saying in your second msg, there chair exercises too and small walks etc, start off that way and as the weight starts coming off excercise will become easier

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[Berry78 4,261]

I agree with the Optifast diet recommendation. The goal here is to shave those pounds off, not to worry about the lifelong healthy eating plan. There is time to work on that plan later.

My husband is also living with debilitating back pain. But diet is MUCH more important to weight loss than exercise.

Metformin helps lose weight, insulin helps gain weight. That explains your experience.

Because you are on insulin, it is really important to manage the diet/insulin dosage closely. If you go on Optifast suddenly, without modifying your insulin dosage, you will have low blood sugar attacks.

See if you can find someone to help you work into the diet while tapering down the meds.

Do you have family or friends that can help you? (Do shopping, be cheerleaders, etc...)

You can do this!