New and BMI question

Hi everyone. I am new to the site, was reccomended to me by a friend that has had the RNY surgery. I am 34 and have a husband and a 7 year old son. My question about the BMI is I was wondering if there is a maximum BMI for the gastric bypass surgery. I know that there is a standard for the Lap Band, but I don't want Lap Band I want the bypass. Thanks for any help. TTFN Natalie

I am unsure of your question for BMI.  Can you clarify it a bit? Also, why are you ruling out the band? (And please don't take that question as insult. I was just wondering.) Tonja

I think each surgeon may have a BMI limit, but they probably consider your other co-morbidities too.  Call the surgeon's office and maybe they will tell you if they have a BMI limit.  On Big Medicine, I've heard them say they like for the patients' BMI to be under 60 before surgery, but on the other hand, they've had some really huge people they've done surgery on who had to have BMIs way over 60.

I'm sure it is up to each surgeon.  But I am still curious (just because I am always curious why people choose what they do) on why you are adamant about bypass. I am also curious if you are diabetic?  I've heard really good things about bypass and diabetics.  What co-morbidities do you have? From doing a search on Google, it looks like for bypass the max BMI is 78 and for the band the max BMI is 70. There was a guy recently at support group that said he had to lose 50 pounds before the surgeon would do the lap band.  And, If he wanted the bypass, he would have to lose 150 pounds. Looking forward to hearing more from you! I just want to say that I am Pro- both surgeries.  I'm all about improving health and quality of life and want you to know that I am here for you! Tonja

Sometimes it isn't up to the doctor about the BMI it might be your insurance company setting a specific standard.  From my knowledge of trying to get insurance approved for RNY and Lapband most insurance companies look at 35 with at least two co-morbidities and 40 without co-morbidities.  Some of the docs have their own standards as well.  Be sure to look at what your insurance company wants as well if you are going that direction. I had multiple co-morbidities and a 52 BMI so that was no issue.  I am 14 months post-op RNY (Yes - I was pre-diabetic) and the list of my co-morbidities resolved is huge!  High Blood Pressure, High Cholesteral, Sleep Apnea, Reflux, Depression, Migraine, knee degeneration, etc!!!  I am sure I have forgotten something too, but RNY basically saved my life!!! I have lost almost 140 pounds since my surgery and I am at a point that my 25 year old daughter has never seen me!  I delivered her at 206 and I am 198 now, so THAT is something to think about! Good Luck in your Journey - we are all here to help you!! ((HUGS))

Since I am one the big girls whose BMI is over 69. I will say this I went for my consult on the 18 of July doc said lose 40 pounds which by the grace of God i have plus 10 as of today!!!  I don't think its the BMI that is the problem its more so the way the fat is dispersed on the body. the bigger you are around the middle the harder it is for the surgeon and for the instruments so they want you to lose as much as you can before surgery to help them help you. I can't see a surgeon operating on someone whose BMI would be over 80...to risky...but I am not a doc...just play one on tv...LOL

Wow everyone thanks for the input! My BMI is 64.9 and I am worried that they are going to tell me I have to lose weight before they will do surgery on me. I know I can if I have to, but the only way I have found that I can lose weight is to not eat.  Tonja, the reason I want the bypass is that for me I need something super drastic to be able to help me lose the weight. With the bypass you don't tolerate fats or sugars hardly at all, but with the lapband you can still eat/drink milk shakes and not lose as much. I know that I will stick to the aftercare of the bypass easier than I would the lap band. My co-morbities are high blood pressure, pre-diabetic, sleep apnea, degeneration in both knees, & depression. I don't know if I have high cholesterol or not, to my knowledge I don't have it.  Um, I think that is all that was addressedin the posts. By the way, thanks for being there to answer questions! I really appreciate it.

Have u concider DS?? It is another WLS. It is for higher BMI and it does have draw backs but IMHO the advatages far out way the downs. May be check into it the DS board is a great resourse.  and the Over alll long term sucess rate is way higher than the other WLS? I am wanting DS and I have much of the same Co-morb. you do but I am 40 BMI and hope they will do it for me. Hope you do great! great to meet you!

Natalie, please keep us posted as to all that goes on.  We're rootin for you honey.  You are going to do really well!!! Lookin forward to hearing more from you!!! I know for me, and I'm sure it's this way for all that are posting here... this has been a life saving journey for me and I am so thankful for getting to have my procedure and becoming healthier!!! BTW, have you had the opportunity to get to a support group yet?  It's a great way to get acquainted with your new family - US!!!! So glad to have you here! Tonja

Natalie,

Hi I had a lap RNY July 10, 2007 with a BMI of 65.4 everything went fine. I had a small post op infection but that can happen to anyone. I had done a previous 6 month Dr supervised wt loss with a fertility specialist so I did not have to repeat it. (my insurance did not require it). I did have to do the 10 day pre-op diet so it put me on my way. Tressa