freaking out!

Hi there. I am really worried from responses I got from a different forums.

My name is Stacy and i'm in the pre op stages. I am very concerned and just was recommended this forum. I weigh 173 and am 4'11. I have several comorbities though. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I am trying for the RNY surgery.

I was told on another forum that I would never be approved. What has been your general experience...about everything. Getting approved, your journies, etc. What types of surgies and weights?

Thanks!!

Your stats make your BMI 34.1 which is a little low. You might just squeak by with your comorbidities. What are they?

Welcome to the LW board, Stacy.

At 4'11", you need to weigh only ONE more lb to get over a 35 BMI. So just up your salt intake, make sure you drink LOTS of water and then weigh without shoes to be sure you hit that extra lb. Most surgeons make you take off your shoes but going this time of year when you dress heavier because it's cold helps. Pre-op, I could swing as much as 5 lbs in a week.

Once you do get to a 35 BMI, you will still need at least one and maybe two comorbids, depending on your insurance. Most common and easiest to get past the insurance companies is diabetes, esp if on insulin.

Liz

Hi Stacy,

I gave you the recommendation to visit us here.  I'm glad you did!!!!  The ladies here are great help. 

I had a RNY in Sept 2012.  No complications so far.  I started at 242#, and am now down to 181. 

I had a denial the first time I tried to get approved by insurance.  Then they changed the criteria and I got my RNY.  Overall I think it was about 1 1/2 years, as I had to do a 6 month diet/exercise/counseling program prior to surgery.  Dont give up!!

If I remember correctly you have diabetes and sleep apnea.  I had sleep apnea, GERD, high BP and pre diabetes.   ALL OF MY CO MORBIDITIES ARE RESOLVED!!!  

Check with your insurance company.  They will be able to help you with the requirements for RNY.

Thanks Candy V.I only have to do 3 months of "supervised" dieting. I go once a month and am going to my second apt on Monday. I"ve already done everything else! I am just praying for a miracle I guess.

Did your insurance see that you were at a higher weight than what you are at now? Often they do and then have you lose a set amount of weight and once you are at that weight, then you can proceed to see the surgeon for final clearance for surgery. That's how my insurance worked. I have Uniform Medical managed by Regence. I was just a pound over the 35 BMI and had apnea/upper airway resistance, arthritis, foot neuropathies, occasional HBP spikes and high cholesterol but not so high I needed medication yet. Salty food was eaten the night before my first weigh in unintentionally and I'm salt sensitive so my weight jumped 5 lbs overnight. Had I not eaten that Chinese food, I likely would have been under the needed 35 BMI and rejected. I hope it goes well for you.

Welcome to the lightweight board.  All the girls here have great suggestions.  I am 5'2 and started at 190, so not too far off from where you are.  My co-morbities were diabetic (not insulin dependent) and back pain, so nothing too severe.  However I was self-pay and traveled to Mexico for my surgery.  Like several of the others have said, I would try to eat heavy before your weigh in!

Welcome aboard!  Keep us posted on how you're doing. You want to weigh as much as you can when they weigh you at the surgeon's office and don't lose any weight pre-op. Stick to the 3 month plan but make sure it's up and over 1200 calories a day and don't exercise. Make sure your comorbidities are properly documented in your medical files, um...that's all I can think of. Good luck!

--gina