Not big enough?

So, today wasmy step one. Bringing up the embarressing topic of weight loss with my doctor. I have no idea why it is something that bothers me, it shouldnt be a secret that I have a weight issue and I need to lose weight, but still asking for drastic help bothered me. At least I thought it would, but I really like my doctor and have had him as my doctor for 34 years.
Funny enough, he said to me "i dont know if you are big enough for the surgery". My BMI is 41.5. I know the boards say over 40, but does it ever happen that they do say that being so close to 40 isnt big enough?
He did state that he has never referred anyone before, hard to believe, but I seemed to have answers to all of the questions he wasnt sure about.
Just wondered if you have ever heard of someone being denied because they were too close to a BMI of 40?
Thanks
Michelle

 When I started this beautiful journey, my bmi was 40.. I did not have any of the so called qualifications to qualify for the surgery.  No high blood preassure, no diabeties, no high cholestoral, no sleep apnea.  I did have the beginnings of COPD (never smoked).  My family doctor referred me and my blood specialist said she thought I would be denied cause all I needed to lose was 89 lbs.

When I went to my first appointment two years and half ago, I went in thinking I was going to be denied...Nope was accepted and was a candidate right away...One year a half later I had the surgery.  Almost 11 months out 128lbs down (28 lbs below the amount of weight they wanted me to lose) and I am still losing but more like 3 lbs a month now...

So I think you would be a candidate, try.  

Linda

 I believe my bmi was 41 and in almost 2 month out from surgery, I can say some professionals have their own personal opinion on this and it comes out in work. Like my psychiatrist. Good luck.

 Of course none of us can accurately predict your jouney, nor how many curves it will take, but my BMI was just over 40 and I "carry" my weight all over so lots of people just see a big guy, but might chose "large" rather than "fat" to decribe the old me.  But I am fat.  

I didn't have any of the hyertension, diabetes, but did (do) have sleep apnea.  The sleep clinic actually helped and pushed my case along, as their CPAP machine has virtually eminated sleep disturbances and the humidifier in it has helped a chronic sinus issue I have had most of my life! They will not operate on unresolved sleep apnea is what I have heard.

Don't try and guess what they'll do, just make your appointments ( and follow up if you haven't heard in a timely manner) , consider carefully, and enjoy the ride!  IMO asking for help is a healthy sign!  Be healthy!  Regards, Ian 

Some general practitioners are clueless about the surgery and the procedure to qualify. I had a BMI of 38 and I got accepted. I  had severe sleep apnea and high blood pressure. As far as I know it is a BMI of 40 plus or 35 with morbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea etc etc)

I don't see why you would not be accepted based on your BMI

My BMI was 34.8 (if I remember correctly) but I had all the usual comorbidities so was actually encouraged to proceed with the surgery. They even assured me that if I lost wait during the waiting process I would still qualify. I didn't lose much and they went ahead. Best wishes to you. I think you'll be fine!

I was really nervous about my step one because I had asked 5 years ago and my doctor said no.  But this time I got referred by someone other than my doctor.  My BMI was 41 something.  I just had highblood pressure (which is gone already)

Get your referral and go thru the process, but I think it will be fine, especially if you have other health issues.

Hi Michelle,

As another poster has already indicated, if you have BMI of over 35 with at least 2 comorbidities that are related to weight, OR a BMI of over 40 (with or without comorbidities), plus have already tried and been unsuccessful at weight loss.  That is all that OHIP requires.

Congrats on starting your journey.

Judy

Some doctors really don't know that much about the surgery and what it takes to qualify. A lot of people associate needing bariatric sugery with being a certain size and don't realize the true medical definition of obesity.

Two people that I have told about my surgery have noted they didn't think I would be big enough for that. Sure they're not doctors, but it just illustrates the perception people have. I have BMI of 46.

It has happened to me about 5 or 6 years ago. I weighed 230 lbs which made me .5 bmi points away from 40 and my doctor refused to reffer me until he saw that I made a huge effort to lose weight.. which I did, but I gained almost 40 lbs.. Finally with a bmi of 44, i have been referred.