Question:
Can I have WLS at 5'1
Hi Im wondering if I can have the open RNY at 5'1" and 220lbs. My BMI is at 40 I have high blood pressure (but not on meds)my feet, knees and back hurt all the time. I have to pee all the time as well. I've had my first appointment with Dr. Udobi in KC and am going for my 2nd in Novemember. I have obesity in my family and lots of heart disease. I have tried every diet known to man but just put the weight back on. Im concerned that as I get older it will lead to more problems. Do you think the DR. will take into consideration my family history even though my co-morbidies are not as signifacinate as others at this point? Any and all experiences and thoughts would be helpful!!!!!!! Thanks Angi — Angi S. (posted on September 8, 2003)
September 8, 2003
Hi, Angi! Fellow 5'1" -er here! I started looking into the surgery in
January of this year, and weighed 214 at the time. My only co-morbidities
were borderline high blood pressure (140/90) range and my knees were in bad
shape. I also had a frequent urination problem which I took medication for.
Although I hadn't had an "official" diagnosis that I had
arthritis of the knees, I knew I did. I also had depression with I had been
receiving medication for. I was really worried that none of this would be
enough, but my doctor was great about it, and recommended me for it. When I
went to her, I was equipped with the information I just told you above,
plus pointed out to her that obesity was linked to breast cancer, which my
mother has had. She didn't care about the breast cancer (the insurance
company doesn't consider that in their approval process), but the high
blood pressure and knees plus my history of weight loss (and gain) was
enough to convince her to recommend me (I also went to the appt. with a
list of how many times/methods i had lost weight - i even lost 67 lbs on my
own once, only to regain it back!). The doctor should take your knees and
family history for heart disease into consideration (and *may* even
consider the urinary frequency problem, too, since the bladder does get
compressed with all that weight), along with the fact that your BMI
automatically qualifies you. If your doctor doesn't agree, i would see
about switching to one who does. I was at the end of my rope with the
weight loss/weight gain rollercoaster, sick of hating myself because i
couldn't keep the weight off, and was prepared to either do battle with my
doctor if she didn't approve, OR find a doctor who WOULD approve. Luckily,
i didn't need to do either - I finally had my surgery on 7/7/03 (Open RNY),
and have lost 37 lbs. in 9 weeks. I won't lie to you - the surgery and
recovery were NOT a piece of cake (even for me), and i'm just starting to
get my energy back, which I attribute to finally starting to exercise. I do
miss food, but i'm coping well and my loss is really starting to pick up.
I'm extremely glad i pursued this surgery, and would do it all over again.
Good luck to you! P.S. - see my profile or more information!
(227.6/190.6/133.0)
— sweetmana
September 8, 2003
Angi - When I first started pursuing WLS I was 5'1 and 230 lbs. The only
comorbid that I had was diabetes and asthma and they both went into
remission immediately after I was discharged from the hospital. I am now
120 lbs and my height shrunk to 4'11. The only family history of obesity
is my grandmother (father's side), but everyone else is slender. The only
thing my insurance wanted was documentation of being 100+ lbs overweight
for at least 5 years (nonconsecutive). I hope this helps.
— trtorrey
September 8, 2003
I was 5'1" and 230 pounds. I had only high cholesterol and joint pain
as comorbids. I had no dr supervised weight loss attempts. I was approved
in 2 weeks by United Health Care PPO. I have since lost 100 pounds and
gained an inch! :) It doesn't depend on your dr usually, but on your
insurance. Most ins that cover WLS without a fight do so when you hit 100
pounds over your "normal" weight or at BMI of 40+. Then there are
the others that need all sorts of documentation and hoop jumping before
they'll approve. Your best bet would be to ask the insurance lady at the
dr's office what their track record is with your insurance. That should
give you some idea.
— ctyst
September 8, 2003
HI there, Angi! Although I am 5'1", I started at 323 lbs., I even had
a lot of the co-morbids that you have and then some. I didn't have any
trouble with my PCP, Surgeon or even the insurance. It seems like you have
enough co-morbids, especially with the famiy history. Hope it helps. Vi.
Open RNY 9/23/02 down 150 lbs.
— Vi F.
September 8, 2003
I was 5'2 and 248 pounds. I had NO co-morbidities of any kind. I was just
a very healthy fat person. However, at the weight I was, I would have
eventually developed problems. My insurance approved me immediately just
based on my height/weight and BMI.
— Patty H.
September 15, 2003
I'm 5'0" and weighed 205 the day of my surgery. I'm 10 months out,
and my body finally stablized around 100lbs (we-ha!). My weight looks
completely proportionate to my height and clothes fit so much better now
(length wise). It's the best thing I've ever done.
— jengrz
January 31, 2010
Hey Angi! I am 5'1" and I weighed 230 pounds at the time of my
surgery...4 years ago. I now weigh 125 pounds and I am a size 4/6!!!!! It
was the best decision I have ever made. I also did not have any major
co-morbidies and I was approved. All that was required of me was that I be
put on a documented diet with a nutritionist for 6 months. This was also
pretty easy to do since my surgeon's office had one on staff. I hope
everything works out for you! Good luck!
— lorimrose
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