My BMI is just 40

[SEW80 0]

New to this. I have my informational meeting in a couple weeks. I am just at a BMI of 40. I know I have to do the 6 months of doc visits/nutritional visits. What happens if I lose weight and go under 40?

[Mhy12784 423]

Depends on your insurance, but the most likely scenario is you're screwed, unless you have a comorbidity or plan on paying cash

Edited March 17, 2018 by Mhy12784

[Kay07 734]

Hi! I asked this question (though my bmi is 44), and the response was your weight the day of surgery does not determine your eligibility, but instead your starting weight at the beginning of the program is what qualifies you. You are expected and encouraged to lose weight during the process. Hope that helps!

But as the poster above said, your insurance could play a big part of it.

Edited March 17, 2018 by Kay07

[NYCNomad 64]

I was similar. The PA at the doctor actually suggested I use 5’8” for my height vs 5’9”. That increased my BMI by almost 2%. I also wore a coat and boots when I got on the scale for weigh-ins. Even considered putting a small weight in my pocket if needed.

[Jerseygirl4523 44]

THey go by your initial weight at your first surgical consult!!!!

[elforman 234]

If you're that concerned, wear some small ankle weights or carry a few rolls of quarters in your pockets to the initial consult. That's a lot safer than eating a couple of large pizzas the night before.

[TLHvsg2018 33]

I went in for my first meeting in early January so of course I was bundled up. Didn’t do so purposefully but wearing all the extra clothes made my BMI 41.5.
From January to March I lost enough weight to make my BMI 39.3 but they were still fine with that and approved me. Thankfully. I have no comorbidities.

My surgeon made sure to submit my “highest” weight. My insurance didn’t require the nutritionist appointments but my surgeon makes his patients attend at least 2 for their knowledge... that’s where my weightloss came into play.

[newmebithebypass 713]

i know i have care first blue choice something under the umbrella of bcbs and my doc told me i am not required to lose weight but just not gain. also im in a diffrent situation that you bmi 48 with 2 co morbities so im not sure what your doc will tell you

[sasa_maria 37]

New to this. I have my informational meeting in a couple weeks. I am just at a BMI of 40. I know I have to do the 6 months of doc visits/nutritional visits. What happens if I lose weight and go under 40?

I had this same fear but I asked my Dr office and they said with the insurance I have, it doesn't matter. It's your starting weight. Ask the office, they might know since they deal with all types of insurance. If they don't, then just call your insurance company and ask.

[NYCNomad 64]

For UHC it isn’t starting weight, otherwise I would not have been approved. My starting BMI was 37. I originally was thinking about a lapband before I did my research. Unintentionally gained 15lbs over the 6 mo. That combined w/ using 5’8” as my height put me at 41 BMI for surgery.

[Fluffy Grandma 89]

My beginning BMI is 40. My surgeon told me not to gain any weight but not to lose too much or I won’t be approved. I do have comorbidities so I need to find out how much I can safely lose and still be approved. I thought the more weight I can get off before surgery the easier it would be for me as well as the surgeon. However, I don’t want it to backfire on me.