Question:
Going for consult and very nervous about rejection.
I am 5"7" and I weigh 255. I have been on 18 different diet plans in the past 24 years and never had lasting success. I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease and various cancers. I personally do not have any of these yet except borderline high cholesterol and hypothyroidism. My bmi is 40(just barely) and I am scared to death that now that I have found the plan that I think will work I will be denied because I am not sick enough. Can anyone ease my mind? — angieligon (posted on June 3, 2008)
June 3, 2008
Hi Angie,
My BMI was 40.1 when I went to my first consult. What I found was a team
of weight loss professionals who were sympathetic to my struggle and wanted
me to succeed at weight loss.
I was asked to loose 5% of my current total weight and then I had a couple
of other stipulations I had to meet for my insurance company. I did of
asked of me and as of yesterday I was 2 weeks post-op and doing very well.
I wish you the very best of luck with the choice that you have made and I
am confident that you will be accepted.
The guidelines differ facility to facility, mine was a required BMI of 40
or greater or a BMI of 35 along with a medical problem such as sleep apnea/
diabetes/ high blood pressure.
Take care of yourself. You make a difference in this world.
— mannecote
June 3, 2008
I agree with the first response. And the rules to qualify at my bariatric
center were the same. Good luck!
— jujuprof
June 3, 2008
Hi angie, My BMI is high 63 but I am they say healthy. I do have high blood
pressure. I also have tried every weightloss unsuccessfully. This worked on
my side because I need the tool to keep the weight off. Besides my weight
and the pain with it I am Healthy my insurance accepted first letter
because I am Morbidly Obese Best of Luck leave it in God's hands and take a
deep breath. Best of luck Tammi
— Tammi Sandoval
June 3, 2008
I was about the same height and weight as you when I was approved for
gastric bypass. My surgeon/health coverage did not have a criteria that I
lose weight prior to the surgery, but I did have to have documented proof
(within the past three years) of weight loss programs such as weight
watchers, etc. Make sure you document everything - each health care
provider is slightly different in their criteria. I am also otherwise
healthy. I believe the key to my approval was my primary doctor's copious
notes as well as my own documentation (and a lot of prayers!). I'm now
three months out (as of yesterday) and down 57 lbs.! Best of luck to you!
— Donna_in_PA
June 3, 2008
I started at approximately the same height and weight as you and was
healthy (considering my weight, amazing to me). I had lapband on 10/02/07
and am down 45+ pounds. The process was fairly simple due to the
professionalism of my doctor and his assistant. They were supportive and
though I was considered a "light weight", my doctor told me I was
heading for illness and needed to get myself under control before that
happened. I tell everyone I would do it all over again if I had to. Good
luck with your journey.
— Lori G.
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