Starting stats and pre-surgery process

Good Morning everyone!

Current mood: Worried about this adventure. I have decided without a doubt that this is the choice for me. However, I have had a lot of people tell me that I am not big enough to have the surgery. Basically shaming me. I would like to have an open discussion about what everyone's starting stats were prior to surgery and their weight after their supervised diet when they were approved.

Current stats::: I am a 28 year old female, 252 pounds, 5'5'', BMI of 41.3. With multiple co-morbid conditions. This more than qualifies me for my insurance to be covered as a medical necessity.

I have an initial appointment with the Bariatric center and my surgeon on November 15th. Has anyone ever gone through the supervised diet process and was denied because their doctors or insurance company felt they didn't need the surgery if they could do the diet? These are some of my worries.

What are everyone's pre-surgery stats, how much did you lose with the supervised diet if you had to do it, and what was your weight going into surgery?

Hi, and congrats on making the decision. I'm in Canada so things are different here.

I was 52, 304 Lbs, with a BMI of over 52 when I started, so quite a bit heavier than you. In Canada we don't do a supervised diet but we do a 1-3 week liquid diet to shrink our liver before surgery. I was on Optifast shakes for 3 weeks prior to surgery and lost 23 Lbs in those 3 weeks. There are a lot of people who weighed about what you do and were able to have surgery.

Good luck!

The supervised diet I do not believe is always required. It is my understanding that it depends on the insurance company. Thank you this helped!

The coordinator in my surgeons office specifically told me not too go under a 40 BMI prior to surgery. My BMI was just a bit lower than yours. I did a very low card diet for 7-10 days prior to surgery and 2 days only clear liquids right before surgery.

Good to keep in mind. Thank you!

I am 5'4", 222lb at my highest non-pregnant weight, 209lb on the day of surgery and 131lb today almost 7 months after VSG. I have PCOS, but did not have other co-morbidities and was not on any medications. I had lost all the weight once and most of the weight twice and it always came back and I was feeling hopeless at ever maintaining weight loss. Now I have a tool that will help me with lifelong maintenance if I'm vigilant. Don't let anyone shame you for not being bigger. Obesity is a disease that shortens your life, not a moral failing, and it takes strength to take this step and be successful with it.

I have also lost a lot of weight several times and gained it back. I have never been able to get under 200# though. I do feel hopeless too, I feel like I have tried everything. I can lose it now problem, but maintaining has always been a problem. I was hoping that this tool will help me maintain weight loss as a lifestyle change. Thank you for sharing with me! This was definitely helpful!

Hi! Glad you are here.

I would be very surprised if your insurance were to turn you down (unless the surgeon doesn't recommend surgery which does happen, but rarely). The general consensus seems to be that a BMI of 35 + at least one comorbidity OR a BMI of 40 with no comorbidities will qualify you for surgery.

And looking a your ticker you've got just over 100 pounds to lose? If that's the case I'd just ignore everyone who is telling you you're too small. Thankfully you don't need their opinions. If they won't turn supportive, I personally would ditch them for the duration. But that's just me.

There is a Lightweights Forum here on OH. It is based on BMI not on scale numbers. Many of us start out with BMI's in the 50's or higher - the lightweight forum seems to help some who have lower BMI's to start. You might want to check it out. But you can post anywhere you want to in here.

Good luck with your process. Don't let anyone steal your new life out from under you. You'll be fine.

I just realized I didn't answer your questions on people's stats!

My highest weight was 347. Surgery weight 306. Current weight: 188 - I am working to lose a 12-15 pound regain. It happens. I'm almost nine years out and have danced around the borders of a "normal" BMI and an "overweight" one. After having a BMI in the 50's, I'm not too upset.

Many people do get much smaller - I know several who are in size 0 or 2's or whatever - so don't be discouraged by my weight. This is where I'm happiest, but I'm also a 53 year old gramma, I've been married 23 years and I'm not ever going to be back in the dating game and such so I'm good. Realistically? I'd like to wake up one day in the 150's or some such, but I'm not focused enough for that to happen and I'm not interested in getting that careful. I love my life again, and that's all I ever wanted from this surgery.

That is really what I want is to be comfortable and happy. I am honestly afraid of getting down to the goal weight I set for myself but only because the last time I was 140, I was a child. I do not know what it feels like to be under 200 pounds. I am excited to feel healthy tho. I had a dietitian before ask me at what weight did I ever feel most comfortable and what weight did I want to get back down to. I had no answer. I have never been thin so I do not know what it feels like to be comfortable with my weight. I am excited for this experience and I cannot wait! Thank you for the support!