ambrosia916

I started this process with a BMI of 39.2. Basically, it was suggested to gain 7 pounds to reach the magic number of 40 BMI. I've been holding steady at 40.2 for 2 months now. This month I will go for my 3rd appt with Dietitian and I have my Surgeon consult Tmro. Oh and a funny thing happened with gaining the 7 lbs, my cholesterol went from 217 in June to 143 in September, Dr had no explanation for me.

Also I am right there with you with a BMI of 40.2 and my surgeons office advised me not to lose any weight pre-op to assure that I won't be denied.

I have BS of CA also. I was told they no longer require a wait time or supervised diet before surgery so it is up to your surgeon to determine what is right for you. Mine has decided on 4 months. Have you done all your other stuff yet like psych eval and EKG?

I don't have my mind completely set on which procedure yet but leaning towards Bypass.

No because I'm just barely 40 BMI, if I lose any weight my insurance won't approve me. But I am still on a 4 month diet education program.

I an end of December or early January ????

I'm on the other end, I can't lose any weight or I won't qualify. My BMI is 40.2 and I'm so stressed out about maintaining but not gaining. Every weigh in I hold my breath. LoL!

So technically you didn't gain then, right? You are just back where you started.

Did you have any problems with insurance because of it? Where are you in the process?

I had my one on one with my surgeon today, I have 2 more dietitian appointments and should be ready in December. I have BS of CA and Cigna as secondary. I'm hoping all goes smoothly. I barely have a 40 BMI and no co-morbidities.

So I haven't told anyone except my husband and a co-worker that I am going to have surgery. It's so hard not to be able to tell my friends and family but I know what they will say..... "You don't need that, just eat less" "you just need to exercise more". "Just be happy the way you are" "You're not THAT big". I don't want to hear any of it. They will try to talk me out of it. I feel like I'm living a big lie. I will have to tell them at some point but I think I will do it right before the surgery. Anyone else have similar situations?

Sounds like we have a lot in common. My dad died in June of a heart attack. My mom lost her leg to Peripheral Artery Disease 3 years ago and had her first heart attack at 59. My family history with CVD is scarier than any surgery. I have 5 children and I want to live to see their children. Where are you in the process??

Realistically how much time should I take off from work after surgery? My Dr says only one week but that doesn't seem like enough time to recoup and adjust. I've been reading a lot about fatigue and vomiting for weeks after surgery. I'm a dental hygienist and I can't excuse myself in the middle of an appt because I suddenly get sick. In your experience how much time is needed after surgery?

I talked to a rep at BS of Ca yesterday and she told me as of July 2015 they were no longer requiring 6 month of nutrition/dietitian, that the timeframe was at the doctors discretion. Here is the link. https://www.blueshieldca.com/provider/content_assets/documents/download/public/bscpolicy/Bariatric_Surgery.pdf

Will you let me know how your approval process goes? I'm nervous about getting denied too.

Uuugh!!! I hear ya!

Just curious why you are scheduled so far out? Is that the soonest they could do it?

I'm also in Sacramento area. I live in Rocklin. Dr Shadle will be doing my surgery as well.

I live in Rocklin!!! I have BS of CA too! Who is your surgeon?

I'm right around the same spot. Will be going for nutrition visit #3 in October. Shooting for March for Surgery. Good luck to you!

Thanks guys, very helpful! Yeah I'm in California and I can get Some disability payments but I really just don't want to take more time off than I need.

I had my first of 6 months of Dietician appts today and she said with a BMI of 38.8 and one CMF of high cholesterol I likely wouldn't be approved. I have BS of CA and Cigna. She then in a way told me that I would need to drop out completely, gain 8 lbs and start over. Up to this point the office staff had me Thinking I would be approved. So now I'm not sure what to do.