BMI too low

[weho 103]

Oh, and if you don't have a prescription for ambien, get one! It is not easy sleeping with all of that stuff hooked up to you, so anything that you can take to help knock you out, take it! The tech at the study center seemed very pleased that I brought a sleep aid with me

[Sleevie WonderLand 41]

Thanks for the tip...however, I dont think I'll need it. I'm sleep deprived as it is with 4 kids; one with severe asthma and allergies, so I usually dont sleep much anyway because I'm up alot of the times with him making sure he can breathe. Gosh, I sound like such a loser with all these issues, but despite it all, I'm able to find the time to smile. I'm grateful to my VST peeps. Thanks to all who replied.

Oh, and if you don't have a prescription for ambien, get one! It is not easy sleeping with all of that stuff hooked up to you, so anything that you can take to help knock you out, take it! The tech at the study center seemed very pleased that I brought a sleep aid with me

[mina 27]

good luck to you. i had the same problem you did with the not so high bmi, mine was 39.9 i wish i knew about the ankles weights and stuff. i tried to fail my glucose tolerance test and lipid profile test so i can have the qualification for the insurance company by eating a big bacon egg and cheese Breakfast and a chocolate bar, with no luck. i guess i should be happy about that

[lunarose 97]

Hi, I had the same problem and ended up being self paid. I know of a lot of sleevers who went through an appeal process with their insurance companies and won them so that may be worth looking into..

[Sleevie WonderLand 41]

I'm gonna "weight" it out and take my chances with the sleep apnea test. Hopefully my weight will increase and/or I'll be diagnosed with apnea severe enough to qualify me.

[Raine 170]

When I was starting to think about the sleeve I was on yet another diet and lost some weight, then saw that I needed a bmi of 35 or higher with the co-morbidities. Had the co-morbidities, but because of the diet didn't have the bmi. So I went off the diet and gained it all back grazing like a mad woman. I too wish I thought of the weights too. LOL

[Day Dreamer 23]

Anyone have any advice? Apnea tips/tricks that'll help qualify me (lol)? Suggestions?

How far from 40 BMI are you? I was at 37 and need to be 40 to qualify since I don't have any co-mo's. So eating more wasn't really an option but I did quit dieting. I also drank about 2 jugs of Water before I went to my weigh in appointment. I will say that some insurance companies require a BMI history. Luckily, mine did not require this. So I made my weigh in... went home and pee out a few pounds and took a massive... well. You get the picture. LOL

Gaining 25 is not a good option. I have heard of people using the ankle weights, but put them in your bra so no one sees them... or wear very long, baggy jeans. You could even... just saying.. wear one as a pad. LOL I know.. but it is an idea and at 4 lbs each, well, you might be over 40 BMI haha!!

Oh last tip... don't stand so dang tall.If you are an inch shorter, you instantly go down on the BMI scale.

Good luck. If it is meant to be, it will be.

[MegInNOLA 531]

My BMI was barely 40, but I was so stressed at the thought of possibly not having the surgery that when my doc checked my blood pressure, it was 140/80--while not radically high, it was high enough for her to state honestly that my blood pressure was creeping up (and my blood sugar was, too, thanks to my not-quite-careful diet the day before the test).... if your PCP is supportive, talk with him/her about your test results. Honestly, I didn't worry about watching my diet at all in the week or two just prior to my evaluation for surgery. Drink a LOT of Water, too, before you go to weigh (and no bathroom trips until after!).

Good luck to you...

Meg

[LisaM 3]

I'm sorry Bee, I thought I was going to be in the same boat, I just got "lucky" being diagnosed with high blood pressure in May which helped me qualify. I'm 5'9", weigh 250 which puts me at a 37 BMI. I guess they expect tall people to be huge, which sucks because I feel huge enough! Hang in there, maybe a miracle will happen. I'll start praying that it does for you! Lisa

[Tipsynoodle 2]

U never said how close u were to the 40 bmi???? I was at 39 with no co morbidities so i gained 15 pounds in 1 1/2 weeks to qualify...( im trying to have surgery next month ) ....now that i qualify, my pcp also found that my cholestoral was up high....supposed to be at 150 mine is at 268 so he prescribed med's....(fishoil) .....wich gave me my 1st co morbidity lol

just gain some more weight and get ur blood stats checked again after u gain, u never know what u ( doc) will find lol.......

[Sleevie WonderLand 41]

Girl you're a mess! Weighted panty liners...too funny!

How far from 40 BMI are you? I was at 37 and need to be 40 to qualify since I don't have any co-mo's. So eating more wasn't really an option but I did quit dieting. I also drank about 2 jugs of Water before I went to my weigh in appointment. I will say that some insurance companies require a BMI history. Luckily, mine did not require this. So I made my weigh in... went home and pee out a few pounds and took a massive... well. You get the picture. LOL

Gaining 25 is not a good option. I have heard of people using the ankle weights, but put them in your bra so no one sees them... or wear very long, baggy jeans. You could even... just saying.. wear one as a pad. LOL I know.. but it is an idea and at 4 lbs each, well, you might be over 40 BMI haha!!

Oh last tip... don't stand so dang tall.If you are an inch shorter, you instantly go down on the BMI scale.

Good luck. If it is meant to be, it will be.

[Sleevie WonderLand 41]

i'm falling in love with my VST people more and more everyday. Thanks for all the suggestions/tips/tricks and mostly encouragement. If I didnt have you guys I probably would have already given up hope. Now to recap for someone else who may be considering WLS with a low BMI:

Drink lots of Water before your appt with your PCP - dont pee until after the appt to get that weight up!

Eat like you have no idea what a "smart" calorie is the day/nite before your pcp appt so your levels may show some cholesterol or other possible co-morb

Invest in some weights - tuck them suckers in places only you or your significant other can find!

If you're gonna wear ankle weights, be sure to where clothing to disguise them.

Slump during the height check in. The shorter you are the higher your bmi goes in conjuction with your weight.

Most important - consult with the witty and clever folks on VST for support, encouragement and lots of laughs!

[Sleevie WonderLand 41]

I initially started in the 38 range (before I saw the PCP). When I went in for my appt with the PCP that sucker dropped down to a 36.6.

U never said how close u were to the 40 bmi???? I was at 39 with no co morbidities so i gained 15 pounds in 1 1/2 weeks to qualify...( im trying to have surgery next month ) ....now that i qualify, my pcp also found that my cholestoral was up high....supposed to be at 150 mine is at 268 so he prescribed med's....(fishoil) .....wich gave me my 1st co morbidity lol

just gain some more weight and get ur blood stats checked again after u gain, u never know what u ( doc) will find lol.......

[Sockmonkee38 0]

Hey,

Im in the same shoes. Ive been searching for a program for a few months now, and am still getting in the "start" phase of the 6 month qualifying period. I have BCBS Highmark and they wont cover my VSG unless I have a BMI of 50!!!Can you believe that, 50!!!! Ive actually put on 10 lbs in the last month to try to get closer to that number but I really need to be 10 MORE lbs heavier to qualify. Plus I have to go on a diet for 6 months? How will I ever qualify? Ive been doing this crap for 35 years. First diet was at 5 years old. You cant tell me Im NOT qualified!!

Im equally frustrated. Hope we BOTH find a solution.

I'm going through alot of emotions right now because this surgery thing isnt looking so definite for me. According to my doc, I'm 100 pounds overweight, but according to the BMI calculator and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (EPO), I'm not big enough to qualify for VSG. I dont quite meet the 40 requirement and because I have no co-morbidities (blood tests show that I'm "pre-diabetic", I'm not a viable candidate, unless i'm slowly dying in my sleep. So now in addition to world peace, I have to pray that my sleep apnea study will be so horrible that I'll qualify for surgery. I'm pissed off because the whole point of losing this weight is to get more healthy, but yet the insurance co isnt willing to let me have access to this tool that has proven to be the best method for someone like me to get the weight off and possibly keep it off for a long time.

So now after 2 years of retraining my fat brain to make healthier choices (which helped me to lose a little weight, but nothing significant) I have to go back to eating junk and lots of crap so that in six months time I can have a 40+ BMI and therefore qualify for surgery. I dont go for my apnea consult until July 5th; they will then schedule the actual study which I hope will be sometime soon after. I've only been on this Quest for WLS for about a six weeks, but already Im tired and getting increasingly discouraged. Anyone have any advice? Apnea tips/tricks that'll help qualify me (lol)? Suggestions?

[Sammi25 18]

my insurance covers anyone over 35 bmi if u have a comorbidity and anyone over 40 is covered. maybe look for new insurance if u can?