Losing more weight before surgery

I was told by the insurance expert at the surgeons office that now that I'm approved I don't have to worry about losing too much weight but I am 5'1" and started at 197lbs but now I'm down to 182 and I haven't started the Optifast yet.  My surgery is scheduled for April 1st . What happens if I get under 35 bmi? Will they still do the surgery?

I have a low bmi but I take 6 medications a day for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, GERD and back problems.  I have lost weight in the past but the medical issues seem to stay or only mildly improve.  I am so stressed that I won't be able to get the surgery if I get under 35 bmi.  I am only 39 and I don't want to have to be on these medications for the rest of my life, my family history has many family members that have had heart attacks before 40! I don't want to continue that tradition. 

Also, I have 2 teenage daughters that are overweight too and I haven't told them about my surgery yet.  I'm worried that they will think I gave up and am taking the easy way out - which I know from my Mom and brother that this is by no means an easy way out but I don't want them to think that its the ONLY way too - hope you all understand what I mean.

It depends on your insurance company. Most won't care but a few will use it as an excuse to deny you. So you must call them and ask. You don't be one of the few who gets denied for losing too much!

My surgeon used my weight at the first consult but it is safe to say you should check with the insurance company to make sure. Why are the requiring you do do optifast  first?  Is that a part of their regular protocol regardless of your BMI?  

Yes it's part of the program, they said they usually want patients to lose at least 14lbs before surgery because it shrinks the organs and makes it easier for the lapriscope. I called the insurance company and the rep told me that they only require the initial weigh in, once I am approved (which I am) they don't require any move approval once the surgery date is set. So I think alll is good but I'm getting a lot of slack from family and friends because they don't understand why I am "going to extremes". I have struggled with my weight my entire life and no matter how much i lose these days, it seems to come back with a vengence. I want a chance to finally get to my goal weight and stop taking all these medications.

Thanks so much for the replies, I am new to OH and I have read so many posts and I feel like I have recieved more information than any of the seminars I have attended. You are all so helpful!

When your family gives you a hard time, tell them:

I'm not having surgery to lose weight. I've done that before and I know I can do it again. I'm having surgery to KEEP IT OFF. I've never done that.

They can't argue with that because not only have they never seen you keep it off but a lot of them have never kept it off either.

I lost almost 30 pounds before my surgery so was very close to 35 BMI at surgery. I am glad I did as my weight loss post surgery was slow and even now I am at 25/26 BMI.....so clearly my body does not want to be thin.  lol.  one suggestion is to do a shorter amt of time on the optifast since you have already lost a lot.  They mainly want to shrink the liver and from what I have read, this doesnt apply as much with lightweights as it does for those who are a higher BMI.  I was supposed to do a 14 day liquid diet prior to surgery and elected to do a 9 day instead due to above.  I will tell you this, I am THRILLED that I had surgery and am so much healthier now and able to do so much.  I KNOW I would have never gotten to this size and therefore this level of health without it.  I had hypertension for 10+ years before surgery (diagnosed at age 27) and was off my BP med 10 days post surgery....never thought that would happen.  

Rooting for you...

~~Jennifer

THANKS KERMIT! That makes me feel a little better about the situation.  I am excited about getting off all the these meds even if that means replacing them with vitamins.  It's pretty inspiring that you were off of them so quickly.  Even though I have lost some weight my BP has actually been staying higher than normal so I do think I am making the right decision to go through with the surgery.  I have had quite a few friends and family have WLS but not the RNY so that's what has me so nervous.  Talking to people like you on this site have reassured me and also made me think about the pros and cons of the surgery.  The honesty has seriously made me think twice but I would rather go into the surgery knowing the good and the bad than not knowing anything at all.  You guys all tell us what the doctors and staff can't or won't, and I appreciate that!

I'm glad you contacted your insurance company.  It sounds like you have a good insurance expert at you Drs. office who knows they don't ask for any additional information since you are approved.

After surgery you will probably be cooking differently, eating more protein, and making less food so this might help your DD's.  I only have one DD who is overweight. She is married and doesn't live at home anymore but  she is very jealous of me and throws my surgery up to me all of the time so be prepared they might not be happy about you being thinner and things changing around the house.