worried!

Ok so ive been losing little by little on this pre diet thing - which will be finished up in May. Im hoping this will come up pretty fast! Im very excited but Im terrified that I will get turned away for any reason at all! Then Im afraid I will get depressed again and gain all plus more back again because of all the hard work ive done. If my BMI started out at 45 and now its down to about 40 and I still have about 3-4 months to go...When it comes time to schedule my surgery are they going to turn me away because my BMI is now lower? Or are they going to go off of my starting BMI - i know this maybe a dumb question but its been bothering me! Im trying to keep positive but - you never know- and with my luck you REALLY never know!

Hi Whitney,

I would think that if your BMI started around 45 that they would use that number?

And maybe this is just an assumption, but is the pre-diet a requirement set forth by your doctor or insurance company? If so, then I would think that they've already seen that you qualify? Plus, they'll also take notice that you can lose weight on your own, showing that you are determined and understand the process.

Good luck! May will be here before you know it.

its a requirment from the insurance company, i hope thats the case!

 I am assuming you are talking about your insurance??  If so, I had the exact same concern.  I point blank asked my insurance, BCBS IL, if they would deny me if I lost too much weight.  They said that they use the starting weight/bmi as their qualifying factor.  They are actually looking for weight loss to make sure that you have the determination it takes to benefit from the lapband in the first place.  The customer service lady told me that if I DIDN"T lose weight I could be at risk of being denied.  I would say keep on losing and show them you have what it takes and the ability to make this "tool" to work for you.  Good luck on your journey. 

that makes sense to me. Maybe I will call just to make sure lol. Thank you both so much!

I have never fully understood why they want us to diet before being banded.  I DO understand them wanting to know if we'll be compliant to do what we need to, BUT don't these digbats know that we all know how to diet and have done it countless times?????   We can't keep it off, that's usually the problem.  I know I am speaking for myself but I think lots of folk would agree.    Then again, even being banded does not guarantee that we will lose weight and keep it off either.  That's the sad part.  I am only hoping that my band gives me a better shot at it by keeping my hunger at bay.   I wish you the best.  Hope May comes soon for you.

Lyn.

In my case, it wasn't my insurance co. but my doctor.  She wanted me to quit smoking at least 3 months.  I told her I'd be glad to do it, but it would probably cause me to gain weight.  She said that she'd rather I gain twenty pounds than continue to smoke.