Question:
I need to gain 15# in a matter of about 3 or 4 weeks to qualify for surgery!

I am having one heck of a time. I don't have any co-morbids that my ins.co. likes. I do have some, but not the ones that they want. I need to gain 15#'s to have a BMI of 40. I really don't want any harrassing answers..I wish I would have posted this anonomusly, but I'm pretty real, so think what you may.. I just need some good suggestions. How do you gain weight that rapidly?? What types of food or drinks?? HELP!! Its easy to put it on over the years, but not in a few weeks. I've been fat forever, but now I actually want to GAIN?? It usually came on when I was DIETING..lol.. Thanks for your help...    — Nickie C. (posted on January 2, 2003)


January 2, 2003
Go to any GNC or gnc.com and buy some Weight Gainer ...It will pack it on in no time.
   — Jon S.

January 2, 2003
Wear high heels for your measure and weigh in. This assures your height will be checked in bare feet. Slump when you get measured, this is NOT the time to stand up tall. Wear heavy clothes, eat a HUGH meal right before weigh in, some carry rolls of quarters in their pockets. Do check how your BMI changes with height, a couple inches makes a big difference and most of us get shorter as we age.
   — bob-haller

January 2, 2003
Hi, I'm in the same situation that you are...I'm only 4lbs from a BMI of 40. Unfortunately, my info has already been submitted for insurance approval. Heck yeah, I'll gain it if that's the only thing that will keep me from being approved! My suggestion for you is to visit GNC. My brother took "Weight Gainer" the summer before fall football started. Worked for him...I think he gained about forty pounds. I think it's a shake, and the one he took had like 4,000 calories per shake (big gulp size). As I recall it tasted like something between chalk and sandpaper. Good luck to you!
   — Kimberly S.

January 2, 2003
You can do the Homer Simpson "Paper bag" diet. Eat only what will cause a paper bag turn transparent after being rubbed by the food! Seriously though milkshakes have a good volume to calorie ratio and will asorb pretty quickly. Fried foods are good as well. If you want to gain superficial weight. This might sound bizarre and a bit sick but look up some "pro-anny" (pro anorexia) sites. They have many tips on how to fool the scale without being caught. If you are not weighed naked, you can also try to wear some ankle weights an such. <p> Take Care, Be Well, and Be Happy!
   — John T.

January 2, 2003
If you aren't already doing so, start weight training. There are a lot of good books about how to get started. It will be a good habit to get into also, since you'll be wanting to exercise after surgery. Weight training helps build muscle, which I know pound for pound doesn't weigh more than fat, but there's something about starting exercise that makes you gain weight. I remember from past diet and exercise attempts that I would always be very discouraged about a week or two after starting regular exercise because I'd get on the scale expecting a loss, and would have gained several pounds instead. Good luck to you.
   — Carlita

January 2, 2003
Boy! you sound familiar! Are you sure you aren't me, a year ago? I got some suggestions when I was in your boat and I'll pass them on to you. You do with it as you like. Drink tons of water before your Dr.s Appt. get a weight belt from wal-mart and sew some five lb. weights into it and wear it under a t-shirt with a heavy sweatshirt. Be sure to take a large purse with you to put the belt in once you get into the exam room. Eat like there's no tomarrow. Make the nurse measure your height at the time they weigh you. Slouch. Wear a long skirt so they can't see you bending your knees. Practice at home, so you know what you gotta do to get the height you need. I hope you don't have to resort to these things. Luckily, I gained enough weight over the holidays that I got my BMI to 41. You can do it! Good luck.
   — Carolynn J.

January 2, 2003
Sounds familiar- I would try Ensure PLUS- nutritional supplement. It has 350 calories for each drink and is loaded with 50g of Carbohydrates and 13g of Protein. If you were to drink 2 of these a day for the next 2-3 weeks and still eat your regular meals- I am almost sure you will gain the weight. You can go to walmart and get the Equate Plus-which is the same as the Ensure Plus- only it is cheaper. Also I don't know about all the extra weights in the pocket or in the bra- I mean what if you were to get caught-talk a bout embarrassment and also for sure you would not be accepted as a patient- I mean they can not trust you at a 'weigh in' why could they trust that you would follow up accordingly?!! I would think twice about adding stuff to my clothes or body- Good luck. I am sure you will do fine!!
   — Jan S.

January 2, 2003
Boy! you sound familiar! Are you sure you aren't me, a year ago? I got some suggestions when I was in your boat and I'll pass them on to you. You do with it as you like. Drink tons of water before your Dr.s Appt. get a weight belt from wal-mart and sew some five lb. weights into it and wear it under a t-shirt with a heavy sweatshirt. Be sure to take a large purse with you to put the belt in once you get into the exam room. Eat like there's no tomarrow. Make the nurse measure your height at the time they weigh you. Slouch. Wear a long skirt so they can't see you bending your knees. Practice at home, so you know what you gotta do to get the height you need. I hope you don't have to resort to these things. Luckily, I gained enough weight over the holidays that I got my BMI to 41. You can do it! Good luck.
   — Carolynn J.

January 2, 2003
I would have to agree with the milkshakes/body building shakes answer. That would seem to be the quickest way to put on the pounds. Also the slumping when measured. Lots of salt. Water loading too. And try to schedule right before your period when you are bloated anyway! ;)
   — ctyst

January 3, 2003
Are you sure you want to gain weight in order to lose weight? I'm not criticizing, just wondering if that is something you REALLY want to do. I would suggest having your 'last supper' every night, and during the day, too! German food is great for packing on the weight! Weight lifting and treadmilling will pack on around 10 lbs in no time, too! You really can play around with your BMI and height, two inches will make a huge difference. Eat all carbs, drink the bodybuilder shakes and lift weights!
   — jenn2002

January 3, 2003
You don't have any comorbid conditions your insurances company LIKES? What criteria do they use? My husband has a BMI of 38.5 and we are appealing his denial. Does it makes sense that you would need to increase your risk of surgical complications by gaining more weight in order to qualify for surgery? I don't think trying to gain weight or falisfy information is the safest way to go just yet. Contact the insurance company and find out what do-morbids they "like". Do you have joint pains, elevated (not necessarily "HIGH") blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, lipids or blood sugar? What about an elevated insulin level? Sleep apnea? Wake up choking or coughing from a sound sleep? I work for an insurance company, and you would not believe the stuff people try to get away with to get things covered. I would try the honest approach first. I am not being judgemental, since you have to do what you have to do, but by being honest, you may actually help other people in the same situation. (If the insurance company starts getting requests for surgery on people with BMI between 35 and 40, they may rethink the criteria they use. Wouldn't it be better to have people with lower risks have surgery before they get any bigger or develop more serious conditions as a result of becoming morbidly obese?) I know you are really working on getting this approved for you, and not everyone else, but it's something to think about. Good luck, and I hope you get approved one way or another.
   — koogy

January 3, 2003
Why don't you just make yourself an inch shorter when figuring out your BMI. My doctor never measured me, he just asked me how tall I was. This would be a better situation than packing on more weight. Just a suggestion.
   — Michael N.

January 3, 2003
Every time this question comes up, there are some who suggest "less than honest" methods of increasing the amount you weigh at your consult with the surgeon. As an attorney, I would like to caution anyone against putting rolls of quarters in their pocket or wearing weights, or even lying about your height, slouching or bending your knees. This is insurance fraud and it is a felony! If you get caught, I know nobody wants to risk the memorable experiences of the handcuffs, the ride in the police car, the mug shots and fingerprints, the holding cell, bail or remand to jail pending trial, the public humiliation, the trial and possible jail time, and the damage to your reputation. And, of course, the surgery would never be approved. People who file fraudulent insurance claims hurt all of us who want to get approval for a legitimate claim. Insurance companies will start tightening up their criteria for approval for WLS.
   — Michele C.

January 3, 2003
I was paranoid about not qualifying because I'm just 40 BMI and I thought about an extra roll of quarters or ankle weights just to make sure but decided against it. It's a good thing too because when my doctor weighed me, the nurse not only had to move my feet on the scale (and grabbed me by the ankles to do so) but also gave me an EKG and applied electrodes all over the place including my ankles. So if I had done ANYTHING dishonest I would have been outed so I implore you not to do it. I have to agree with the previous poster about the dangers of doing things that can be construed as insurance fraud. If you're in that desperate place, no one is going to talk you out of trying to qualify (and I myself am just 40 BMI) so do it honestly. Icecream, milkshakes, weight gainer, bread with butter etc etc etc. You might even feel sick trying to pack on 15 lbs, but I concur that doing ANYTHING to fudge your weight will harm not only you but others who come after you. Good luck
   — susanje

January 3, 2003
I drank about 3 - 4 BOOST HIGH PRO chocolate flavor everyday for about 3 weeks and put on 15 lbs. actually i love the stuff. but have stopped drinking it..don't do the weights. wouldn't want you to get caught...
   — zapuback

January 3, 2003
I went from 5'3 to 5 '2 overnight. :>) put me at 40.8 Good luck
   — my J.

January 3, 2003
I too...shrunk from 5'5" to 5'4"
   — Shannon R.

January 4, 2003
My sis-in-law drinks slimfast drinks between meals to gain weight...she is typically under weight and docs are always nagging her to gain. This works for her. High carb.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 4, 2003
Just eat all the things I avoid----please! Enjoy them for me! Milk & bananas (with added sugar if you like) (the old recipe for wt gain), the canned nutritional drinnks as mentioned below or Slim Fast. Drink them with a meal, if you don't mind them. The usual cookies & sugary things. Fat may make you lose, so don't avoid it.
   — vitalady

January 4, 2003
I, too, had to PUT ON weight to qualify since I was on the borderline. I just spent a heckuva lot of time at drive thru windows and never went a day without eating at least 1/2 dozen dunkin donuts! Sick? I know--but I had lost weight and my BMI was usually a good bit above 40..but when it came time to qualify for surger I was at a BMI of 39. Good luck.
   — Karen K.

January 8, 2003
you might not like this answer, but it's honest. If you have to GAIN weight to qualify, you don't need this surgery. I'm almost a year post op and I can tell you that you need to learn new eating habits with or without the surgery. If you are less than 40 BMI, try a protein ONLY diet with at least 64 oz. water and exercise as much as you can. This is what you will need to focus on anyway, for the rest of your life. I've lost 150 and I'm struggling with the last 30 and trying to gain weight for the surgery just sounds WRONG to me. This is serious stuff and there is a 'window' for losing, the rest is up to your new habits.
   — etta B.

January 8, 2003
Just to let you know,I too once had a BMI less than 40. But then it ended up there plus more. Do what you gotta do, cause at the rate you are, you will be gaining that 15 pounds if you don't get the surgery. I think my BMI was 44, a couple weeks before surgery I gained 15 pounds from just eating! Don't let any one tell you that you don't need this, if this is what you really want! Good luck and take care!
   — D S.




Click Here to Return
×