Question:
Am I too Obese for Surgery?

I am 42 yrs old. 5'2" weighing 297#. My BMI is 54 (ugh). Fortunatly.. or unfortunatly. I'm not sure if I have enough Co morbids to qualify, yes, I have back aches, shortness of breath, intolerance of heat. and I'd really love to put my socks on without a struggle to reach my feet.. lol. So I actually have 2 concerns about not qualifying.. am I too fat? and am I too healthy? (although I don't see how anyone my size can be considered too healthy. Thank you. :-)    — KellyJeanB (posted on November 30, 2002)

November 30, 2002
You should qualify on the basis of your BMI alone (the criteria is typically BMI of 35 or above with one or more co-morbidities and 40 or above with no comorbidites). The shortness of breath and backaches from the excess weight can only help. <p> As far as being too fat, no way. My pre-op BMI was 73.5 (I'm at 53.9 114 pounds later) and I have seen people higher. I weighed 427 at the time of surgery - there was a person in my support group at HUP that was 710 pounds at the time of his surgery...JR (open RNY 07/17 -114 lbs)
   — John Rushton

November 30, 2002
You are not 'too fat' for surgery. My BMI was 53 pre-op and I weighed 360 at 5'8". You shouldn't have any trouble qualifying if your insurance covers the surgery.
   — garw

November 30, 2002
I got you beat - unfortunately! I'm 432, 5'9" and BMI of 63.4. No severe co-morbidites, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol but as the surgeon said plenty of smoldering ones - degenerative joint disease in the low back and knees and feet, cervical stenosis, daytime sleep disorder (may or may not be made worse by the weight), upper end of normal blood sugar, depression etc. The surgeon indicated that I more than qualified and he had some good things to build my case with.<p>The issue would appear to be if your insurance does or does not cover the surgery for morbid obesity - which you qualify for. Read the exclusions section carefully! It could make all the difference!
   — zoedogcbr

November 30, 2002
You definately do not have to worry about being too obese. I started out with a BMI of 63.1 or 2 or something to that effect..it was 63. something. :) My starting weight was 396 and I am 5'6". I didn't have any major co-morbids either. I don't see where you will have any trouble at all qualifying for surgery. You're BMI is high enough to qualify you almost automatically. Good luck and God bless. Open RNY 9-23-02 -50+ pounds
   — Rebekah A.

November 30, 2002
Started at 440, BMI = 64, no co-morbids. Lap RNY on Aug.5. Hit the 100 pound goal in 3 1/2 months. Go for it!!
   — jen41766

November 30, 2002
Absolutely Not!!!!!!!!!! I weighed 521 the day of my surgery and had a BMI of 74.2. I had some comorbidities like shortness of breath, sleep apnea, difficulty walking, and the such but it didn't stop a thing. I would suggest that you get it before you develop sleep apnea, because they put the air hose down your throat while you are awake. THAT SUCKS!!! I lost 40 pds my first 2 weeks Good Luck!!!!
   — dkinson

November 30, 2002
my bmi is 64 with all the comorbidites, and i was denied! my insurance is chap and the ydo not wantto pay for it. one doctor said "i was too fat" too high a risk, he owuldnot relase me, i need my gal bladder out very badly they said no to that too, it is in appeals!
   — janetc00

November 30, 2002
i am 5'3 and weighed 314 prior to surgery. i was healthy as a horse other than being obese. the only thing that really started to bother me was my knees and i've fought depression for years. i had no problem being approved. within 3 days i got my approval and surgery date...good luck.
   — candymom64

November 30, 2002
I have you exact same weights and measures. I didnt have a whole lot of problems just fibromyalgia and sleep apnea but my insurance co (thank the lord) did not really look for anything other then 100 #'s overweight. It has changed my life and you are definitely not to obese this is for the majorly obese people to give their lives back Good Luck Peggy open rny 9/20 - 58#'s
   — Peggy A.

December 1, 2002
Unfortunately, most folks having WLS weight ALOT more than you do. My surgeon called me a 'light weight' and I weighed 347 pounds. She routinely operates on folks weighing 600-800 pounds (SAD).
   — Marianne K.

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