Question:
What if i loose too much weight pre op?

I am worried that if i loose too much weight on the pre op diet that they will not approve me for the surgery. I usually can loose weight initally but i cant keep it off. Do they take the initial weight when sending to the insurance company or do they take the last weight??    — LisaMarie (posted on August 26, 2005)

August 26, 2005
I did lose some weight before my surgery on the diet my doctor put me on. He took the weight that I was at when I started seeing him. It shouldn't make any difference w how much weight that you lose just before the surgery. Check with your doctor to make sure. God Bless you on your new journey!!
   — LilaDove

August 26, 2005
Hi, usually the weight that you were at your intitial consultation is the one the insurance company see's. If you get weighed right before your surgery, there would really be no time for the company to approve or dissaprove. Most Docs have you lose the weight just for a safer surgery, it has nothing to do with the insurance approval. Good luck to you.
   — Carey N.

August 26, 2005
LisaMarie, I lost 60 lbs before surgery and that was a fear of mine that they wouldn't approve me. I was on a physician's supervised diet so I knew it would show the weight loss over the entire period of time. I was approved within 2 days the intention of the diet is to show that you will follow your post op diet so by showing that you will lose weight it shows that you are a better canidate to following what instruction your physician is going to be giving you post op. Good luck in your journey. Denise
   — dlryanoates

August 27, 2005
In my case they turned in my original weight. I lost 56 pounds before surgery. My doctor, and phsyc eval told that I was ready for the surgery that I would do most anything to get it. And they said they were sure I would do well after because of the attitude I showed by trying to lose. I have lost 33 pounds in 1 month since surgery in total that is 83 pounds. So don't be afraid of losing, it will just help put you ahead of the game.And each pound you lose will make the surgery easier on you. I hope this helps. Rita
   — Incredibleshrinkinglady

August 27, 2005
I was just in the 40 percentile range and I couldn't afford to lose much. The first dr I consulted with said that if I showed up for surgery "underweight". They wouldn't do it. I "beefed it up" about 12 lbs, and when I was on my preop diet, I didn't lose too much. I never did ask the 2nd Dr. about it, I just wasn't going to let it happen.
   — KDescha

August 27, 2005
I am worried about this too. I am on Mercy care plan and am required to have a documented 5% weight loss from my baseline as a result of the 6 month supervised diet. I am at 40.3 now and have not lost any weight, but 5% of 222 is what? 11 lbs. That will bring me below a bmi of 40. Someone said that I have to have it documented sometime during the 6 months. So, Maybe if I loose the 11 lbs, it's documented then gain it back before the end of the 6 month period then I will still qualify? How does that sound? My mind is boggling, Can you tell? Any suggestions? Rosalinda
   — Rosalinda Celaya

August 27, 2005
I am worried about this too. I am on Mercy care plan and am required to have a documented 5% weight loss from my baseline as a result of the 6 month supervised diet. I am at 40.3 now and have not lost any weight, but 5% of 222 is what? 11 lbs. That will bring me below a bmi of 40. Someone said that I have to have it documented sometime during the 6 months. So, Maybe if I loose the 11 lbs, it's documented then gain it back before the end of the 6 month period then I will still qualify? How does that sound? My mind is boggling, Can you tell? Any suggestions? Rosalinda
   — Rosalinda Celaya

August 28, 2005
I'm currently on my supervised diet. I haven't lost much weight, maybe a few pounds. I was told (can't say by whom...she said she'd kill me if I told...lol) that if you lose too much weight prior to surgery, some insurance companies will deny you based on the fact you're losing weight. They'll say "you don't need the surgery, you're doing fine on your own." I was told to mantain my weight on my diet, not lose and not gain.
   — Beth_Ann