Question:
Can Weight Loss Prior To Surgery Going Near 40 BMI Hender Qualifying For Surgery?
When I began this journey last December, my BMI was 78. I weighed 364. I now weigh 293 pounds. During my pre-op blood work they found I had impaired fasting blood sugar (142) and my cholesterol was 288. Everything else was also elevated as well. So, I decided not to rest on my laurels. If I need to eat a certain way after surgery, no time like the present to begin. I can't exercise because of my other back and knees, so I really didn't expect to start shedding pounds, but I did. My BMI is now 46.7. I renew my EKG on Saturday, and my chart goes for regional approval on Monday with Kaiser. Have I shot myself in the foot. I still have 150 pounds to lose and while Dr. Roadrick says he loves my progress and says I've strengthened my case, I'm not so sure. I also have asthma, sleep apnea, and degenerative disc disease. So, I guess I'm covered comorbididity wise. Would those be considered serious enough? I might be losing weight, but I'm really really hungry. — Lisa P. (posted on April 26, 2002)
April 26, 2002
Congratulations on your weight loss. You should be very proud of yourself!
I dont even know you am I am very proud of you. I wish I could of lost
weight before my surgery. The requirements for wls are to be a 100 pounds
overweight. You also have comorbididitys. I would listen to your doctor
when he says you have strenghtened your case. You should have no problem
quailitying (sp?) for surgery! Good luck to you!
— C. L.
April 26, 2002
This isn't answering your question, but I had to say congratulations on
your loss. I had my RNY in Nov 01 and you have lost the same amount of
weight that I have and you did it in less time. That is an awesome
accomplishment!! I want to know what your secret is!! Anyway, great job.
And you should still qualify, and the surgery will help you KEEP it OFF!!
— Cheri M.
April 26, 2002
Way to go on your weight loss! As for your question, my understanding is
that for insurance approval, you generally need to have a BMI over 40, or
35 with co-morbidities. My BMI is 43.3, I only have knee problems (and a
family history of diabetes & heart problems, but nothing personally),
and I had no problem getting insurance approval for my surgery.
Congratulations again, and best of luck to you!
— Cindy B.
April 26, 2002
when I started this jouney i was 276 but because of the diabetus i started
really watching what I ate and then about a month before surgery I started
really drinking alot of freash veg juice and high protien . I was feeling
really health lol . I went for my pre op and I was down to 250 with a bmi
of 40 and a week later I underwent surgery . U have to be 100 lbs
overwieght and I was as I am sure u are . Many Dr are happy to see some
wieght loss as it makes it easier for them when they do the surgery . I
wish u much luck on your journey :-))
— sallie P.
August 9, 2003
I had read on here that only your consultation weight mattered and I lost
weight prior to surgery without worrying about being below 40 BMI because I
was so paranoid about gaining (my dr. will cancel if you gain more than 5
lbs between consult and surgery). I was just at 40 BMI and the five pounds
I lost caused me to dip slightly below. Any more of a loss and my dr would
have cancelled surgery. He wouldn't do surgery on anyone who is not a
candidate and that means the morning of your surgery you need to be a
candidate. So check with your doc as to his or her policy. Some docs go
by the consultation weight only, others go by the morning of surgery
weight. Check with yours.
— susanje
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