Hello to you all I am new to posting but a long time reader. I am wondering if anyone has had this happen. I have decided to get the sleeve, but my insurance companies policy is that your bmi has to be 50 or above. I am just at 50 and beginning my journey which means I am going to see the nutritionist to start my diet plan. If I lose weight it will take my bmi under 50 and I can't have that surgery. I don't see the doctor until late next month to be officially weight and this will be the weight that is used to submit to the insurance company to show that I qualify for the sleeve. I don't know if I should hold off on the diet plan gain more weight and hope that when I see the doctor I am still at 50 or over, then start my weight loss once he has recorded it. I am so confused?

 Well, I'm sure some won't agree with me BUT......I wouldn't start dieting now. You want to keep it at 50 for insurance. With my insurance, my BMI had to be 40, so, I keep it there until I was approved. It's not the best way to do it, but what can we do unless we all have the money to pay out of pocket. Don't go crazy and eat all you can, but stay where your at. Good luck to you! 

Thank you Amber now that I have finally decided to take this step and do something I don't want to eat like I use to and now I have to....funny huh, but I won't overdue it I am trying to stay at 50 until I see the doctor then it's weight off. Take care! 

 Talk to your insurance company yourself.  Many times the BMI requirement is at your initial consultation, not at time of approval or time of surgery.  Also, if you have comorbidities the bmi is sometimes lower.

I dont think I would diet either. Maybe ask the NUT what they think. Off topic but who are you seeing? I also live in MD, I dont see many of us on here :)

I spoke with my insurance company and they did confirm that I would have to be at 50 inorder to get the sleeve. I will see the Nut next week and see what she thinks. I am going to Franklin Square and I have been looking also for someone in Md. Thanks