Question:
If I lose weight will can I still get the surgery?

I have Tufts so Im a month away from the 6 month "I can change" program. I can get my surgery in October, however my doctor recently put me on medication for ADD and the biggest side effect is weight loss. Im very concerned I wont qualify for the surgery If I lose anymore weight. I was supposed to lose 8 pounds before surgery but since starting the medication Ive lost another 4 pounds,I barely make the 40.0 BMI. Im afraid to take the medicine in case I lose more and wont qualify. Is there anyway the insurance will take into consideration that I medically need to be on this medication? I would be so upset if I went through this 6 month program and find out I cant get it because Im a couple pounds under :( Anyone have any suggestions????    — JmbCeb_10 (posted on August 25, 2010)

August 25, 2010
My BMI was only 37 when I had the surgery but I had a lot of comorbities. I had RNY almost 8 months ago.
   — cuppaloopy

August 25, 2010
Jessica: If you have already been preapproved for the surgery (which I believe I am reading is what you are saying) then you likely won't have any problems. However, if you are feeling discouraged and really need the best advice I strongly recommend you bring this to the attention of your surgery team, and perhaps even speak directly with the GBS (Surgery) Coordinator who does all the billing protocols with all the different insurance carriers as s/he will likely be able to better reassure you. Generally the weight loss after (or during) the preop phase is all taken into account (however, I cannot speak directly for your insurance plan or any exclusions b/c I am unfamiliar with it). I had my sx in 12/09 and was required to commit to a 2-week preop liquid diet in order to best prepare my liver to shrink for the laparoscopic procedure. I did not cheat--not even once--and this was at the hardest time of the year (over the Cmas holidays), but stuck to the plan. Between 12/14 and 12/29--my surgery date--I lost in excess of 15 lbs. and to date I have yet to receive a surgery bill or question of any kind. I am now down 105# and loving life (as will you). Chin up, wt. loss sister and Godspeed on the journey. Best of luck!
   — momeego

August 25, 2010
You can check with the insurance coordinator at your surgeon's office but most insurance plans base their approval criteria on what you weighed at the beginning of any insurance required pre-op program, not at the end. Also considered are your comorbidities, most of which aren't significantly impacted until truly significant weight loss has occurred (like sleep apnea and high blood pressure). As for the side effect of the ADD meds, I'd almost bet it is a temporary effect otherwise it would be the hottest selling weight loss drug on the market. Good luck on your journey!
   — Arkin10

August 25, 2010
At my support groups there was a guy who had to lose weight to have the surgery, he has lost over 80 pounds and was still having it.
   — tfqh99