Upset about my weight... Pre-op

 The one time that I would love to be loosing weight is when I can't really afford to loose weight.  I am on that cusp of needing to really watch my weight or I may not be able to have the surgery.  If I knew I could loose all of this weight and keep it off this would not bother me.  Any other time I would be rejoicing in loosing weight.  When I was referred from my PCP I weighed 218 I am 5'4.  Even then I was ridding a fine line but because I have so many health issues they said it should not be a problem.  I have had a lot of the pre-op testing done and I have gone to the seminar and support group.  Tomorrow I go for my nut. and physical therapy pre-op appointments.  This is where they will be weighing me for the first time and they say I should be at my heaviest.  I should be at my heaviest yet I am having to see my PCP for a dr supervised diet.  I just weighed myself and this with my shoes on and I weigh 209.  I would be ok if I would have been able to be weighed by them when I was at 218.  I don't know what I am going to do.  I will probably call the WLS coordinator and see what she says to do.  Just when I think I start to see the light at the end of the tunnel I feel like I might be taking several steps back sadly. :(

First off, you need to step back just a little bit.

Although you are required to have the physician-supervised weight loss visits, that doesn't mean that you HAVE to lose weight each time. 

And since you are going for your first "official" weigh-in, where they would like your weight to reflect your true status and also qualify you for surgery, then you need to keep that in mind.  I am not suggesting that you cheat, so to speak - but definitely play the system in your favor.  Back off your weight loss efforts, eat more carbs, add some salt for today.  Load up on fluids before you go to weigh in -  you are trying to "tip the scales" for that day only.  Once you are weighed in and your stats are sent in for approval, it shouldn't matter if you continue to lose weight.  It is the beginning/starting weight that counts for insurance approval. 

This approach might not sit well with everyone, but it is a game with the insurance companies and you need to play it so you come out ahead. 

Good luck!

You should definitely find out what the requirements are. I only had to weigh a certain amount at my very first appointment, then started losing. They might just look at your weight before your supervised diet.

I was under the impression the insurance companies took your weight *before* your mandatory supervised diet for the approval process.  I would definitely ask about that.

Like Linda said - and I'm not condoning cheating... but you do have to play the system a little bit.  but leave your shoes on (heavy ones), wear jeans, leave your jacket on if you can... etc... get creative...

A while back the WLS Coordinator did say something to me about they don't care if you want to wear your shoes, heavy coat, purse.  Hopefully she was not kidding. LOL  I feel bad about kind of cheating.  It is not that my BMI is not over the 35 but the heavier the better she says when it comes to insurance even though I have a lot of co-morbids.  Thanks for your advice.  I am just really nervous/excited and don't want anything to go wrong.
Kim

I had the same problems as you do. I wore heavy clothes, jacket, boots and really drank a ton before the weigh-in. Also hit McD's a few times the week before.

Isn't it terrible that we have to be so bad in order to get this surgery so we can live a better and healthier life.  I am going to eat chinese today so perhaps the salt and lots of liquids will help.  Perhaps I should hit McD's for breakfast on the way up. LOL  Terrible, I try not to eat bad stuff very often believe it or not.  I always say by looking at me you would never know that I don't stuff my face with bad stuff all of the time.  I hate having to play this insurance game.  You would think that they would rather you get the surgery instead of having to pay out thousands of dollars on all my meds that I take and all the tests and dr appointments that I have but know they like to play games.  :(

Oh, this post brought back memories.  The first time I consulted on WLS I was told I was about 15 pounts under the minimum requirement.  So I spent the next few months enjoying ice cream and milkshakes with abandon, fast food, yum.  Gained 20 pounds and rescheduled my consultation.  We do what we have to do.  Put weights in your pockets if you have to.

I'm the same way. I'm at 216 and 5'1", but that's just barely over into morbid orbesity (which my insurance requires), and I have no co-morbidities. I'm being very careful not to lose any weight, which is very strange.

 Ok I went to my physical therapy class and my nutrician class.  Lets see I wore my jeans, a heavy shirt with a sweatshirt over that and then I wore my heavy shoes and then I had my purse with a water bottle in it and my coat.  I also had my binder which was quite heavy with my WLS stuff in it.  The nurse said just keep all that on and step on the scale. Holy crap she even had me hold my binder.  She said the heavier the better.  They got my weight up to 226 how silly was that.  Also my pcp has always put down that I was 5'4 but when my husband measured me at 5'3.  Well they measured me and said that I was only 5'3 so they said that would help me also.  They said this is the weight and height that we will partician the insurance company with.  I am like isn't this going to look a little funny when they see these weights compared to my PCP notes.  She said they just look at your highest weight.  I was like ok what ever you say. LOL  Anyone I feel much better and just hope that everything else falls into place.