BMI for Sleeve

 I agree, if the doc ends up not wanting to do it find another doctor. I had doctors both here in the states and in Mexico willing to do mine and I was only a BMI of 31-32 depending on the day. Started out pre-surgery at around 215, started my ticker on here around 205, and down to the 170's now in 6 weeks. The surgery works just as well for lower bmi patients. Most docs want a co-morbidity though for BMI's under 35. BCBS Wellmark insurance will approve wls for 30-35 BMI with one.

I'm not sure where they are getting this "most" doctors line, unless they are just talking about their practice. In general, the VSG is the preferred procedure for lower to moderate BMI patients, with the higher BMI patients often going to the more invasive procedures like the RNY and DS.

As noted by others, talk to the surgeons and find their reasoning and if you can't find a common ground on this, move on to another surgeon - there are plenty of qualified surgeons around who are willing to do the right thing for you.

Well, I was a  heavier BMI patient at almost 56 when I started the process.  I only lost 6 lbs before surgery, but my surgeon had zero trouble doing a sleeve for a higher BMI patient, and has done many for lower BMI patients as well.

I think its all up to how you feel about working hard, which both lower and higher BMI patients have to do once surgery is over.  I think a restrictive procedure can work really well.  I've lost over 70 lbs, and have every intention of keeping it going until I lose it all.  I don't much care how long it takes.  I'm in my 50's and I'm post menopausal.  I follow a great diet.  I don't exercise that much.  I do a moderate amount.  I believe if I was younger, or a man, and exercised a lot more that the weight might come off a lot quicker if I follwed the diet I am now, but as long as you work to get the weight off, it WILL come off, some faster, some slower.

My insurance company turned me down for a sleeve at first because they said it's not a standard of care for a person with a BMI below 50 (mine was 35). I found lots of data refuting this (see my blog). I surveyed the top bariatric practices in the US and only found a few that still reserve the sleeve for the heaviest patients. The majority of top practices will do sleeves on all WLS candidates, but some told me they do few sleeves on smaller patients because they have trouble getting coverage, not because it's not medically appropriate. There's a big distinction between what insurance covers and what's medically appropriate. I appealed and won eventually, BTW. Don't let your BMI hold you back from the surgery you think is right for you.

In my case, the insurance company ran the show. They told us what was covered and what wasn't. My BMI was barely 35. Since I had 2 co-morbidities, I was covered.

As a side note on lower BMIs - my surgeon is conducting a clinical trial to see if WLS can help people with type 2 diabetes. The BMI range he's looking at is 30-35. If your surgeon won't do VSG on you at your BMI shop around. If he says he won't do it, believe him. Head on down the road. There are many very good surgeons. 

i weighed about 215 and had no problem being qualified. i am 5'5"

 Your insurance company will dictate what gets paid for.  Call your insurance company, number should be on your card, and ask them if they cover code 43775 and what are the guidelines for it.  Mine told me, BMI of over 40 or co-morbidities like sleep apnea, high blood pressure or diabetes for BMI's between 35 and 40.  

I agree with previous posters that if your surgeon says your BMI has to be higher to qualify find a new doc!!!  One with more experience in VSG.  Check out the Find a Surgeon area on this board or post a topic looking for docs in your area.

Remember that a lot of people in support groups have been there for awhile and very few of those are familiar with VSG and even fewer are familiar with YOUR insurance policy.  

Good luck and keep us posted!