BMI 34.5 with co-morbidities.

Does bypass ever get approved (in Ontario) for a slightly lower BMI with co-morbidities?  As of today I have a BMI of 34.5 but with diabetes type 2, hypertension, some new heart issues that are currently being investigated and some gastric issues (which could potentially be resolved or worsened by roux en y surgery). 

In 2013 my cousin was turned down for the surgery. She had high blood pressure as well and a bmi of 38. She was just approved this year her bmi is now 41. 

Where you have the diabetes it may be different. But they usually want the bmi between 35 and 40 with comorbidities. Wouldn't hurt to look into it.

Good luck

A friend who tried as well through this program in Ontario was denied. She had a number of health issues but her bmi was 35 something. They told her she may qualify if her bmi was 38 or higher as 40 was the base without health issues. 

Now honestly, how many of us with a bmi of 40 don't have health issues I ask you that!!!

I was approved with a BMI of 39.6 and no co-morbidities. I think sometimes it depends on the doctor. My doctor at the Bariatric Centre in Windsor chose to send me to TWH instead of Guelph because she thought I'd get turned down in Guelph. 

Good luck!

Unlikely . They will put you through the weight management program.  I know a few who went for the surgical program and were told to go through the weight management program because their weight dipped below qualifying. 

Sometimes your ethnicity may impact their decision as well.  For example, a BMI of 34 with co-morbidities in someone who is asian would be taken more seriously and more apt to qualify than someone with a BMI of 34 who is caucasian.  So if by chance you are of asian descent, I would pursue it no question.

May I ask where you heard/read this information?

Karen, I've heard it now from multiple sources - mainly by word of mouth from the experts in the field of bariatric medicine.  For example, I participated in a scientific expert panel on obesity that was held at Health Canada that had Canada's leading experts there to advise Health Canada on some obesity issues.  This is one of the things they made very clear to HC and they were working towards putting this in their new Canadian Guidelines on the management of obesity.  I also heard it from the American experts when I attended last fall's Obesity 2015 conference in Boston (put on jointly by TOS and ASBMS).  It was reiterated several times in different symposiums. The Americans will also add it to their guidelines (if it hasn't been already - I haven't checked either guideline in the last several months).  This is something they are very serious about across the board, in certain ethnic cultures, a lower BMI must be considered as serious as a higher BMI in caucasian, african american and hispanic cultures.

Interesting information, thank you for clarifying.