BMI OVER 65

I have done everything pre-op.... I go next month for my visit with Dr. Pender and to find out my WLS date......  but I am freaking out. I have been on the diet for (far out Post-op WLS patients Where you eat 21grams of protein and 30 grams of carbs per meal 3 times a day and walking as much as I can and moving more and more each day... I have been on this diet for about 3 weeks and I do feel much better. I went from 399 to 387 on Jan. 19th.  I went to a Dr. appt. yesterday and I have went back up to 401.... I have been gaining and dropping weight like crazy for the last year and they said its not my thyroid.... My question is if my BMI is OVER 65 he said he would not operate..... but  is he just saying this, are all of the Greenville Weigh Loss Surgeons like this as well???? I'm confused. I am just so scared he is going to say no.... Thanks, Meagan

Meagan -

I don't know if he is just saying that or if he means it. There are a variety of reasons that some surgeons won't/don't operate on people over a certain weight. For some it is related to BMI, for some is related to equipment issues, for others it is related to mortality rates. I don't know what the limiting factors are for your Dr. I do know that Dr. K Mitchell, down in Southern Pines does do people with very high BMI's, so if for some reason it doesn't work out with the surgeon you are seeing, I would call Dr. Mitchell to see what he says.

Wishing you success in your journey,

Barbara

I am from the Fayetteville area and have heard great things about the Dr.'s in Souther Pines. I might try them if Dr. Pender does not work out. I wam so scared about this entire thing now that I am closer to finding out my WLS date..... I mean I feel like I am preparing for my death and if I make it thru then I have to prepare for a whole new life. It can be overwhelming sometimes. Thanks for helping! Meagan

Stop right there Meagan, I dont think there is anyone who has had this surgery who was not scared. I was terrified for a long time but if words could describe what it has done for me. My co morbiditys of being super morbid obese were killing me. In fact at one point in my life I weighed 680lbs. I lost 300lbs on my own long before I concidared wls. Then I stalled for 3 years and slowly the weight started to creep back on but not to where it was Some how I found what I needed to go through with wls and I am so grateful I did. If your doctor you have now puts a limit on your size there are others out there that will help you. It may mean shopping around. I personally think UNC is wonderful and the bariactric team there. Yes it can be overwhelming but this is when you have to ask yourself how much would wls help my life improve. I have no regrets and would do it all over again tomorrow. I am glad you posted and hope you will continue to post we are here for you through it all.                                                                                  Annie

HI Meagan
One thing about Dr. Pender is he means what he says and you cannot and will not be able to sway his vote...I have him as well and I have tried to convince him here and there to work with me and he would not budge...he is very firm in the way he does things!! BUT I hear that the firm doctors are some of the best doctors!!! So keep up the great work and prove to him that you want this! If he sees your hard work and effort pay off then it should not be a problem. As long as you fall within the range that he requires! Have you tried maybe supplementing 1 or 2 of your meals with a slim fast?? I am currently on the required pre-op liquid diet of Optifast and it is NOTHING BUT OPTIFAST, H2O and Crystal Light for 2 weeks and I have lost 9lbs. in a week. And I have very high levels of insulin working against me, so losing weight for me is NOT EASY! So you could maybe try that, but use slim fast instead and do your "real food" meal for dinner!! It's worth a shot! It is definately no fun, but you will learn to make it routine and remember that in the long run, what you are striving for will be so very worth it!! Good luck with everything and keep us posted :)

I had a BMI of 70 when I had my surgery from Dr. Mitchell in Pinehurst. He did make me loose 20lbs before surgery to try and make a litle room in my abdomen for him to work. But that 70 BMI was after 22lbs of weightloss.  My co-worker is currently going to Greenville and loves it but is having the same problem you are.  They said he had to get his BMI down before they would touch him. Bless his heart, he has to loose like 60lbs .. So I've been helping him at work.

BTW Meagan, Look at my OH profile my bad for not working on my blog but look at my pics espcially when I was 680 to now. I might not ever get to 130 but at my current weight I feel like I am becoming a hottie LOL and the best thing of all is I am able to walk my dogs before surgery I was using a cane for balance. Now I dont even know where my cane is LOL                                         Annie

Hi Meagan,      My doctor wouldn't do the surgery on me until I was below BMI of 60. It took alooooooot of hard work but I did it. I had my RNY 2/12 and feel fab!      He wanted me to be below BMI of 60 for a few reasons. Easier procedure for him but, more importantly, much safer for me. I lost a total of 49 lbs before surgery and it was worth every morsel I sacrificed to get there.       Sure, there probably was other doctors who would have done it but I was very confident in my choice of surgeon. I wasn't willing to gamble on another just because they were willing to gamble on me. Just my thoughts. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress. Mare

My Doctor won't do the surgery if your BMI is over 55. 

I can only tell you that Dr. Mitchell is a fantastic surgeon, has a great program, and would not do anything he feels is unsafe.  He is highly respected by BCBS and gets quick approvals from them.  You would not go wrong with him.