What was your BMI ?

When you were approved by the insurance company.. Mine's right now is 52 or 53.. and I guess I will have to get it down before they submit my paperwork in to BCBS...I went to their website and saw that it has 3 different BMI'S listed and the highest was 50. in order for me to be even a 49.2 i need to lose 15 pounds... OMG!!! So tomorrow I will be starting a new way of eating....FOR LIFE!! Blessings

My surgeon did not require a liquid pre-op, but I had lost 18 lbs pre-op ( between Nov and late Feb). I had introduced 1 protein shake into my diet daily- having 31gms of protein in a shake for breakfast each morning and allowing NO 2nd servings. I also started practicing both eating and drinking slower. Taking smaller bites and putting my fork down between bites. This just allows you to begin the "headwork" early. If Dr Miles is hesitant to do your surgery at your current BMI, have you considered Dr Harris? I do not know the differences between their practice criteria???..... The good news is BCBS is typically approving surgeon soooo much quicker than they were 6-8 months ago! Have a blessed Sunday! Sheila

Hi Shelia, Remmeber I did switch to Dr. Harris and am meeting with him on Aug. 14th...so far his nurse hasn't said anything, no one has.. I was just reading up on the Lap-Band in more detail on BCBS..so I was just wondering.. Thanks and you have a blessed day as well

Just FYI, Dr. Harris requires you to be between 40 - 60 BMI. I had to lose 30 lbs to be a 60. Never would have believed I'd be "too fat" for WLS. Go figure...   Mare PS - He also does LapBand now, from what I hear. Not sure what you were considering. 

My insurance just required me to be over 35 with co-morbidities or over 40 without them.  I was 60+ so I was good to go.  My doctor didn't mention a BMI limit for his surgery, he based it on the individual, although I imagine there was a cut off somewhere. Take care. Ellen

I am right at 39 BMI. My insurance company does not go by BMI but only pounds. You have to be 100 pounds plus a co-morb or 200 pounds over with no comorb. I have high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome *X* (think Diabetes type 2 and on meds for it as well) I cant lose too much weight or I wont be heavy enough for my insurance to pay for it.. I had to gain six pounds to meet the weight limits. Crazy Crazy stuff these insurance companies and Doctors LOL.

I have BCBS IL PPO.  I was in the high 60s BMI when I first started the journey.  Dr P needed my BMI to be 60 or lower (it dramatically lessens the risk and time on the operating table) so I dropped about 40 lbs prior to surgery.  But my ins didn't have any BMI limits either.

Thank you all for your inputs..I really needed it...and i'm in the range so i shouldn't have too much a hard time.. thank you all blessings

Hello  When I was approved by BCBS my BMI was 54, however I did lose 20 pounds before I had to do my two week liquid diet.  I loss another 16 pounds doing that.