BMI of 50.9

Hello I have a BMI of 50.9 but I have no other health problems (like diabetes, high cholesterol or High BP) but i do have a shortness of breath walking short distances and i have pain in my lower back and ankles...do you think that i am a candidate for RNY surgery...i have tried alot and FAILED alot of weight loss programs and drugs...I have maineCare will they approve me? i am going to a seminar on the 17th of November!

Hi, welcome to BMI over 50.  Dont know about mainecare.  I am from MA.  Maybe you could post this on the Maine state board, someone might know there.  But I think it could not hurt to go to the seminar, make an initial appt with a doc and submit and see what happens.  Most insurances want you to submit a weight histroy for like 5 years showing you had a BMI over I think it is 40 ( maybe 45) with no comorbidities.  Not knowing your specific insurance, I still would think anyone with a BMI of basically 51 would qualify.  Good luck and enjoy the journey!

I agree that most plans require a BMI over 40 or over 35 with co-morbidities, so you will probably qualify but need to jump through various hoops to prove that you've made other attempts at weight loss. Good luck. There's lots to learn and many places to learn it.

The only one who can decide if surgery is the right thing for you is YOU. If you should decide to have surgery, please look into ALL CHOICES - not just lapband and RNY!! There are 2 more effective surgery types that are growing in popularity, and that`s the gastric sleeve and the duodenal switch. My personal opinion is that for many, these 2 are better choices then the RNY and the lapband. The band isn`t very effective and has lots and lots of longterm complications, and the RNY has a high regain and failure rate, especially for those with a BMI over 50. So please do yourself the favour and look into all surgeries availible, there is lots of information on OH. 

Good luck!

DS kind of scares me...i know it dangerous doing any surgery but i dont want to lose my hair on top of it. But i am going to discuss all my options w My doctor and see which is best for me! thank you

The hair loss is related to the fast weight loss (and mayb the trauma of being cut open and the anesthesia). NOT the surgery type. That means you`ll loose hair with any surgery if you are sucessful and loosing weight fast.

If your doctor is not doing the DS, you are unlikely to get an unbiased opinion from him - WLS is a HUGE business and the surgeons usually recommend what they are doing themselves, otherwise he`s ging to loose you and your insurence`s money as customer. Certainly many doctors are giving great advice, but you really, really need to do your own research about what is best for you. Check www.dsfacts.com for a start.

Thank you jeanyjane..i did do more research and i found that even if i wanted to do the DS i cant because no doctor in Maine does it.