Question:
Would I qualify at 5'9
I am 27 years old, healthy except large. I weight 275lbs, and I am 5'9" I feel big but everyone says that I carry it well. Does that have anything to do with it? — MARILYN A. (posted on March 25, 2001)
March 24, 2001
At 5'9" and 275 your BMI would be 40.6 which would make you morbidly
obese. Also do you have any comorbities? Example: Swelling of joints, high
blood pressure, diabeties, back pain. These are things that you have to
look at also. If you are serious, I would talk to a surgeon.
— [Anonymous]
March 25, 2001
Hi, Marilyn. I'm also 5'9" and now 275! LOL I was 307 when I had
the surgery done (I had laparoscopic BPD/DS). You qualify with a bmi of
40.6. Having co-morbidities or problems will help with the insurance
approval process. I've also been told that I 'carry it well'. That was
the main reason I've been obese/morbidly for many of my adult years and
never considered surgery for weight loss. It wasn't until my second
pregnancy, when I became 315 that I knew I needed something to prevent me
from getting ever larger. I was (am) a 'healthy' fat person -- I was able
to walk long distances without getting winded, had no serious problems
other than joint/back pain, a small hiatus hernia (which I didn't even know
about until I had the pre-op endoscopy!) and IBS/spastic colon. I knew
from my past experience (yo-yoing from thin to fat again, always with more
weight being added) and my family history of obesity (my mom has serious
health problems and major difficulty getting around) that I had to take
action. Feeling 'large' isn't really a reason for having the surgery -- I
think one really has to be ready for the life changes and aftercare of
surgery (be it an RNY or BPD/DS) as well as the emotional changes one will
encounter losing such a massive amount of weight and not having food as a
solace/comfort. Carrying well really is of little importance - the
statistics show how morbid obesity can cause major health problems and
early death, even if one doesn't 'seem' morbidly obese. :) At this point,
you need to reflect upon your experience: Do you/can you go on another
diet - will the affects be permanant (i.e. - have they been in the past or
is there a yo-yo pattern going on)? Have you already incorporated
lifestyle changes like healthy eating and exercise - how has this affected
your health and has it resulted in weight loss? What would your reasons
for having surgery be-- it is NOT a cosmetic procedure, but a major
rearrangement of your digestive system. You may be healthy now, but
experience problems later (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure,
reproductive cancers, etc.) or you may stay healthy. I think that the
problems of morbid obesity increase with age and amount of time that one
has remained morbidly obese. I would definately get a referral to a
surgeon to discuss your options or at least talk with your PCP to see what
options you have to maximize your continued good health (i.e. - other
weight loss options, lifestyle/nutritional changes, etc.). If you have any
questions, please don't hesitate to contact me! All the best,
([email protected]),
— Teresa N.
March 25, 2001
Hi Marilyn,
I'm 5'9" and at the Dr. was 274. My BMI was 40 and my surgery is 4/11.
Best wishes
— Linda M.
March 25, 2001
I'm 5' 8" tall and at surgery date (4-27-00) my weight was 274lbs. It
has been almost a year now and I weigh 152 lbs.
— [Anonymous]
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