Question:
Is it a possibility that a person's BMI is too high, mine is currently 80 BMI.

   — Quetta S. (posted on March 3, 2005)

March 2, 2005
You may have to go on a medically supervised diet first before a surgeon will consider doing any surgery on you because of your BMI being so high. You are a high, high, high risk to have any surgery done on you. A surgeon may want you to loose some weight first to take you out of this dangerously high area. I know that you are saying, "but I cannot loose any weight, that is why I need WLS". Your best bet is to start doing your research for the pros and cons of surgery at your weight and arm yourself with that info for when you consult your PCP and surgeon. There is a girl named Amy Williams from Georgia that is on this site and on Spot Light Health. She had an extremely high BMI and had her WLS. She has other medical issues also. So there is hope for you.
   — ChristineB

March 2, 2005
Absolutely Not!!! All it means is you need to find a surgeon who regularly does the very high BMI's. You want someone who knows how to deal with the associated issues. I was a 65 BMI and I know my surgeon does people in the 80's and 90's occassionally. Just make sure they check everything out ahead of time so they know what health problems there are, going into surgery. That's the key! To be as well informed as possible so they can prepare for any possibilities. Make sure you have been checked for sleep apnea, if you haven't been already, as that is one of the most dangerous - going into surgery with undiagnosed sleep apnea. My advice is move full speed ahead. A new wonderful healthy life that does not require thinking about your weight before deciding to do anything, is awaiting you! Don't set some unrealistic low goals. Go for health and that alone. I hang around 200 and I am thrilled with the life that it allows me. I started at 442. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

March 2, 2005
You may have to travel - depends where you are. You would want an experienced surgeon who has done others in the past and also has the equipment needed to service your needs.
   — star .

March 3, 2005
I just wanted to let you know that my husband has a BMI of 84.1. He is 6' and 620lbs. We have been trying to get him the surgery through TRC for over 2 years. We met with the bypass dr in August of '04. He said that he is a good candidate for the surgery, put him on the Atkins/low carb diet, and said that when he is approved (hopefully it will be soon) he will probably put him in the hospital 2 weeks ahead of time for extra tests, and I guess to get him on a liquid diet or something. I hope you have good insurance, and dont have to go through what we have. My hubby is disabled, but is in the wating period to get Medicare. I dont know if we could afford the deductables on medicare..Im not really sure how that works. Email me if you have any questions.
   — bawana

March 3, 2005
Hi hon, While there may be some (not the majority) of doctors who may require a pre-op diet or some kind of show-of-determination and shrinkage-of-liver loss of you beforehand, they're definitely the minority AND there's no reason why you can't have surgry. My BMI was 91 when I was rolled into surgery.I didn't have to lose any weight or go on any pre-op diet, just give a history. Now I'm at 41 a year and a half later. And that's only because I"m pregnant and I had to stop trying to lose for awhile! :) Of course, your insurance may have some requirements for that kind of thing, too, but your BMI should definitely NOT keep you from having it. It may, however mean, that they won't feel comfortable doing yours laproscopically. That was the case with me. The larger you are, the riskier that is. Hope this helps, E-me if I can help more! Christie
   — christied

March 3, 2005
Hi there Just wanted to let you know that I was 478 day of surgery and my bmi was 83. My surgeon has done people even bigger than that. I had an open DS/bpd not the RNY Gastric bypass. Its a better option for people with more weight to lose. Http://www.duodenalswitch.com Good luck! :) Lisa
   — Lisa Jean