Losing too much weight prior to surgery?

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I started this journey at the end of January with a BMI of 49.6 and now my BMI is 44 (lost more than 35lbs so far). If I lose 19 more lbs I won't qualify for surgery anymore, and my surgery won't be for 2 more months at least. I'm losing about 9lbs a month, so it is entirely possible that I could have a BMI under 40 in 2 months! I don't have any other health conditions that would qualify me for surgery at a lower BMI, so I don't know what to do. I don't want to go back to the way I was eating before, and I know that I am always either gaining or losing weight. I'm eating lower carb and higher Protein, so I'm just not really hungry. I never thought I'd have this problem!

[ChubRub 1,709]

My insurance qualified me on my starting weight, not my weight on the date of surgery. My surgeon's office confirmed this with me on my first visit. I believe that is true for most if not all insurance companies, so double check with yours!

[lizonaplane 1,613]

Just now, ChubRub said:

My insurance qualified me on my starting weight, not my weight on the date of surgery. My surgeon's office confirmed this with me on my first visit. I believe that is true for most if not all insurance companies, so double check with yours!

I had understood that the weight they use is the start of the pre-op diet, which won't start for a few months yet. This is all what I've done on my own trying to change my habits. Anyway, they haven't seen me in the office to get a "verified" weight due to COVID.

[ShoppGirl 5,067]

I actually gained weight the closer I got to my surgery because I did the little food funerals that many of us do. Either way it gets harder and harder to lose weight the more we lose so hopefully you won’t lose quite as much the next couple of months but maybe relax your diet just a bit if you are losing it that fast. So sad we have to play these games with something so important as our health. I was close to the weight before the food funerals and asked this question too. For me they also said it went by the weight you are at your pre op appointment (before the liver shrink diet).

Edited May 24, 2021 by ShoppGirl

[lizonaplane 1,613]

1 minute ago, ShoppGirl said:

I actually gained weight the closer I got to my surgery because I did the little food funerals that many of us do. Either way it gets harder and harder to lose weight the more we lose so hopefully you won’t lose quite as much the next couple of months but maybe relax your diet just a bit if you are losing it that fast. So sad we have to play these games with something so important as our health.

Yeah, I thought about having food funerals. But I don't want to gain weight because that will just be more to lose after surgery. And I don't know how to relax JUST A BIT! I'm a black or white thinker so I can either control my diet completely or not at all. I'm allowing 1400 calories a day, but I honestly am just not hungry to eat more. I think I could try eating more calorie dense but healthy foods like nuts and cheese. Maybe go up to 1500-1600 calories.

[KAELTE84 2]

I am in the same boat. When I go on the liquid diet in a week (pre-surgery), I will definitely drop more than what I am able to be within the range I need to be, which is a BMI of 40. I haven't had much craving for food funerals, but I also haven't dieted as much as I have in the past (fear of gaining, which is not possible with my insurance). I just increased Protein and decreased the portions, I wasn't as hungry due to protein...I am struggling to get enough in.....Wondering what my doctor will say about this since I have an appointment pre-surgery coming up. 🧐

[HealthyLifeStyle 351]

I believe that your starting weight is what qualifies you, not the weight at the day of surgery.