BMI vs. Wt. Loss during the 6 month diet

phthaloblue · March 6, 2009

Hi all,

I've got 5 weeks left in my 6 month insurance-approved diet and I just found out 2 bits of information: my insurance pretty much needs me to have a BMI of >40, and they're expecting that I lose 5-10% of my body weight during the 6 month diet. The problem is, my BMI right now is 42.4 and I've been maintaining it for the past 4 months. (My nutritionist hasn't asked me to lose weight, just not gain and try to form better habits)

If I lose the recommended 5-10%, that'll put me below a BMI of 40. But if I don't lose that much, they might not approve me anyway. Their criteria for approval is pretty lengthy, and I suspect they don't like to approve easily.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? Which is worse, going below a BMI of 40, or not losing as much on the 6 month diet? I'm going to try to lose just the right amount as to stay above BMI=40 but as close to 5% weight loss as possible, but that's counting on no fluctuation the day of weigh-in. Eek.

spud.mama · March 6, 2009

I was told they go off my BMI from when I first started the 3/6 month diet. But that's my doc and insurance. I'd call the insurance person at your surgeons office, she would know best what your insurance expects.

Good Luck.