Weight in between orientation and surgery.

What do we do, while we are waiting for our surgery, with our eating habits etc? I have noticed people's signatures where their start weight and surgery day weight are different. But if I lose weight over the next 18 months or so ( guessing that is how long the wait is) my BMI might be lower than 40. For us, lightweights does that matter?

Thanks
Jennifer

Usually, insurance requires 40 BMI with no co-morbidities, 35 with.  Lot of insurance wants a 6 month weigh in before surgery and our program required a 1500cal diet during that period.  Most folks lost a little weight.  Usually, insurance goes by the checkin weight to determine eligibility.  Each one could be different.  Your surgeon's office should be able to tell you exactly what your insurance will require.  Most waits, from start to surgery are in the 7-8 month range.  I doubt it would take 18 months (although it will feel like forever).  Good luck.

It completely depends on your insurance. The ones that won't approve if you drop below the 35/40 aren't as common as the ones that go by your start weight. But you don't want to get caught if yours is one that will deny if you drop below 40!

Mine BMI was around 38 and they did it but I had health problems. Apnea was the biggest one. But I also had acid reflux and breathing problems caused by carrying around the weight.

My surgery was approx. 3 months after I started the process. I wasn't put on any diet before hand, besided 24 hrs before hand, clear liquid diet.

Good Luck.

Just agreeing that it depends on your insurance.  Mine was OK with using my starting weight.  I didn't know this and totally played the "weight game" where I was required to do a 3-month multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen, but was trying to not lose too much weight to go below 40 BMI (I have zero co-morbidities).  After I was finally approved was when I found out that they went by the initial consultation weight.  So, now I can practice good eating habits to my heart's content right up until surgery.  Bottom line - ask your insurance.