Question:
How do I get a surgeon to accept me with a lower BMI?
My BMI is 35 I have high cholesterol. I am taking medicaiton for depression and now I have found out that there is a good chance that I have sleep apnea (I am researching that today). I have tried everything and am ready to change my life forever. If I gained 3-5 lbs, I would qualify for surgery. I don't think my insurance comp. will be a problem. — Donna G. (posted on August 7, 2001)
August 7, 2001
Personally, I'd gain the little weight needed to get the surgery. It
wouldn't have even been an effort for me, as my weight had slowly been
climbing anyway. Make sure you weigh with your clothes and shoes on and
dress heavy (hey, mine never did have me weigh without my clothes).
— Cindy H.
August 7, 2001
I would gain the little bit of weight. Either pig out, put rolls of
quarters in your pocket, or slouch and take an inch off your height!
(That's what I did. Believe it or not, the pigging out got really old
after a while!) I feel like the ends justify the means and if
"fibbing" about 5 lbs or an inch means lifelong health, I say, so
be it!
— [Anonymous]
August 7, 2001
Wear high heels for your exam, slip you shoes off to get measured and this
will save the normal thickness of your shoes then slouch, this is one time
to not stand up tall.
— bob-haller
August 7, 2001
Hi, I also was unsure that I would qualify at a BMI of 36-37, so I started
woofing down more and whatever I wanted. I was going to be absolutely sure
that I was going to qualify. I may have qualified with my co-morbidities,
but I wasn't going to chance it. Hey, losing 85 lbs is just as close to
impossible as losing 100lbs. The extra poundage is causing my disc
problems in my back to be much worse and I find life more difficult, but in
the end it will be worth it. I have to keep telling myself that. So, if
you plan on gaining to ensure your qualifying, be ready for the side
effects.
— [Anonymous]
August 7, 2001
Not to get slammed, but do any of you think lying is the best way to go
about it? This criteria was set forth by the NIH so that this surgery would
be beneficial to those who need it, and so that the benefits would outweigh
the risks. Why, then, would you want to sabotage yourself? Personally, if i
did not meet the criteria that the NIH set forth, i would pursue other
options. If there came a time when i did meet that criteria, i would
pursure this one. Afterall, honesty IS the best policy.
— blank first name B.
August 7, 2001
I don't think that lying about an inch or placing a roll of quarters in a
pocket will necessarily result in self-sabotage. There are many close to
the BMI of 40 that question whether they will qualify. Insurance companies
are also getting pretty tough. I have a BMI of 39, and I have so many more
co-morbidities than do some of my counterparts with a much higher BMI. I
don't think anyone should judge you on your decision on how to get the
treatment that you know you need. This is your life. I am sick of hearing
"have you tried diet and exercise", and "maybe you need to
think about this more honey" from those not well-informed of WLS, I
don't think we need judgement from those on AMOS also. I say, do your
research, and do what you feel is necessary for a happy and healthy life.
I am.
— [Anonymous]
August 7, 2001
There are exception to every rule, Angela, and qualifying for wls may be
the exception to your "honesty" rule. I was in the same boat
when I first started my research on wls. I had successfully lost 110
pounds on a medically supervised fast, but even though I was counting every
calorie and exercising two hours a day, the weight was coming back on. I
was desperate. I was panic stricken. I was told my BMI was too low to
qualify. I did everything the posters below mentioned. I started to eat
(I swear I gained a pound a minute on the Hagendas french fry diet and I
hated it!) When I went into my pcp for the referral they weighed me, but
they didn't measure my height, they simply asked me how tall I was. One
inch shorter really helps. I also did something really bad, so don't tell
on me. I went into the sporting goods store and bought one of the weight
belt that weight lifters wear. It holds ten pounds worth of little weights
and you cinch it around your waist. I wore a loose fitting dress and it
didn't show at all. Thirty days from when they told me I wouldn't qualify,
I went into my surgeon's office for my initial consult, and guess what? I
qualified and then some. Do I feel guilty now? Not a bit. I know if I
hadn't of had this surgery I would have gained every bit of my 110 pounds
back plus another 15 or 20 cause it always works that way. Would that have
been healthier for me than having the surgery at a slightly lower weight?
I don't think so.
— [Anonymous]
August 7, 2001
Hi Donna. Forst of all BLESS YOU for being honest enough to not post this
question anonymously. It takes a lot of guts to post a tough question
here. I think that you should get tested for all the co-morbidities. Many
insurance companies will approve with BMI of 35 or higher if your co-morbs
are substantial. Once the insurance approves, most surgeons will do the
surgery. Also, check on your actual height. I used to be 5'11", but
my extra weight brought me down to 5'9" and that helped bring my BMI
over 40. Be careful about being dishonest. It can completely backfire on
you.
— careywatkins
August 7, 2001
Hi Donna,
It depends on what your requirements are with your insurance. For instance,
I have Aetna MCN and if my BMI was 35-40 I had to have co-morbids. If my
BMI was over 40 I didn't have to have the co-morbids(chances are you do
anyway). So, a BMI of 35 might not be an issue for you. Find out what your
policy is and then go from there. Best wishes
— Linda M.
August 7, 2001
It sounds like you are so close to the mark.. I'm probably bad for saying
this.. but how about a couple of rocks in your pockets when you go to weigh
at the doctor's office..? :) I actually read that on someone's bio that
they did that..
— MaryAnn J.
August 7, 2001
Hi Donna--I am going through the same thing as you--this is what my surgeon
told me to do.--Start building muscle mass via walking and resistance
exercises--muscle weighs more than fat and it also helps to burn fat. I
have been given one month to gain some muscle--so far it is working great
and I only have to gain one more pound! I hate exercise but I know that
after the surgery it is critical to get used to it! Also the dr. told me
that building muscle mass will allow me to look and feel healthy when the
pounds start coming off post-op--I will not look like a concentration camp
victim--(Dr's exact words) I think he gave me good advice although I have
hated waiting the extra month -time has been going quicker than I
thought--next Monday is my reweigh and I will have the 40+ BMI--One other
thing--the nurse told me to drink LOTS OF WATER right before I weigh--good
luck to ya!
— karen D.
August 8, 2001
Lying didn't sit well with me, so I just gained the few pounds necessary.
Now my concience is clear and I will be healthy.
— [Anonymous]
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