Question:
Can Weight Loss Prior To Surgery Going Near 40 BMI Hender Qualifying For Surgery?

When I began this journey last December, my BMI was 78. I weighed 364. I now weigh 293 pounds. During my pre-op blood work they found I had impaired fasting blood sugar (142) and my cholesterol was 288. Everything else was also elevated as well. So, I decided not to rest on my laurels. If I need to eat a certain way after surgery, no time like the present to begin. I can't exercise because of my other back and knees, so I really didn't expect to start shedding pounds, but I did. My BMI is now 46.7. I renew my EKG on Saturday, and my chart goes for regional approval on Monday with Kaiser. Have I shot myself in the foot. I still have 150 pounds to lose and while Dr. Roadrick says he loves my progress and says I've strengthened my case, I'm not so sure. I also have asthma, sleep apnea, and degenerative disc disease. So, I guess I'm covered comorbididity wise. Would those be considered serious enough? I might be losing weight, but I'm really really hungry.    — Lisa P. (posted on April 26, 2002)

April 26, 2002
Congratulations on your weight loss. You should be very proud of yourself! I dont even know you am I am very proud of you. I wish I could of lost weight before my surgery. The requirements for wls are to be a 100 pounds overweight. You also have comorbididitys. I would listen to your doctor when he says you have strenghtened your case. You should have no problem quailitying (sp?) for surgery! Good luck to you!
   — C. L.

April 26, 2002
This isn't answering your question, but I had to say congratulations on your loss. I had my RNY in Nov 01 and you have lost the same amount of weight that I have and you did it in less time. That is an awesome accomplishment!! I want to know what your secret is!! Anyway, great job. And you should still qualify, and the surgery will help you KEEP it OFF!!
   — Cheri M.

April 26, 2002
Way to go on your weight loss! As for your question, my understanding is that for insurance approval, you generally need to have a BMI over 40, or 35 with co-morbidities. My BMI is 43.3, I only have knee problems (and a family history of diabetes & heart problems, but nothing personally), and I had no problem getting insurance approval for my surgery. Congratulations again, and best of luck to you!
   — Cindy B.

April 26, 2002
when I started this jouney i was 276 but because of the diabetus i started really watching what I ate and then about a month before surgery I started really drinking alot of freash veg juice and high protien . I was feeling really health lol . I went for my pre op and I was down to 250 with a bmi of 40 and a week later I underwent surgery . U have to be 100 lbs overwieght and I was as I am sure u are . Many Dr are happy to see some wieght loss as it makes it easier for them when they do the surgery . I wish u much luck on your journey :-))
   — sallie P.

August 9, 2003
I had read on here that only your consultation weight mattered and I lost weight prior to surgery without worrying about being below 40 BMI because I was so paranoid about gaining (my dr. will cancel if you gain more than 5 lbs between consult and surgery). I was just at 40 BMI and the five pounds I lost caused me to dip slightly below. Any more of a loss and my dr would have cancelled surgery. He wouldn't do surgery on anyone who is not a candidate and that means the morning of your surgery you need to be a candidate. So check with your doc as to his or her policy. Some docs go by the consultation weight only, others go by the morning of surgery weight. Check with yours.
   — susanje