Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Low End Bmi To Qualify For Gastric Sleeve...don't Want To Lose Too Much?



Recommended Posts

I was 205 now 199.5 and I have 5 weeks left on the 10 week required program for my insurance to cover(plus the 4 previous months of wiegh ins and seeing nut and psyc). I asked my surgeon up front "How much can I lose before they cut me off and won't cover it?" He said 12-15 MAX sooo I'm walking the tightrope here making sure I don't lose too much but still be alittle ahead of the game! I don't think it will be a problem not losing TOO much with the holidays coming up LOL and I'm hoping to be sch. last week of Jan. 1st wk of Feb. Has anyone else been on the teeter? I do have co-morbidities with borderline BP and BS, plus arthritis and scoliosis. What about when I do my Liquid Protein diet the week before? This won't boot me out will it if I lose 10+???

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Mommy794,

I'm also a Texas girl! I'm also so close to being in the same boat as you. I currently weigh 195 and I'm 5'7" and my BMI is right around 30.5. I would never quilify for insurance to cover for the VSG so i'm a self pay. I feel judged so much about wanting this surgery. If losing weight and staying at a healthy BMI was doable, I would have done it by now. I have decided not to tell anyone that I have scheduled the surgery and already paid my deposit (except my husband). I feel like I'm expected to gain another 50 lbs then it would be ok to have the surgery. I don't want to waste another year consumed with my weight. Yes, I can lose 20 or 30 (I need to lose 55 or 60) but I always gain it back plus an additional 5 or so. So I just wanted to say hi and tell you I understand about having a low BMI. Good luck with your journey!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 5'6" and Kaiser had approved the surgery, but when I got to the surgeon, I had lost weight and no longer qualified for the surgery. The only thing that got me the surgery was that I had diabetes. I wasn't taking any meds for the diabetes because I chose not too. It was an uphill battle until I met the second time with the doc. She looked at all my blood work and confirmed that I was diabetic. It was a real hassle. I even stopped eating healthy and tried to gain weight, but lost instead. My surgery was Oct 4 and I am doing really great. Yes my best friend is very judgmental about the surgery but I don't care. It's my body and I do what I need to so I can get healthy. Go for it! It is totally worth it. ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It doesn't matter how much you are overweight.. if you are unhappy and can't stand to be fat another day then you should be just as entitled to have VSG as someone who is more overweight. At the end of the day it is about quality of life and sometimes 50 extra pounds is crippling to a person! I was self-pay and wanted to lose about 60 pounds... if you are 300 pounds overweight or 45 you are struggling! Good luck to you! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have gone through the hoops with my insurance company also my BMI is at 36.7 and I have high blood pressure,sleep apnea,bursittis in both hips,lower back issues,foot problems.I weigh 210 and im 5ft 4in and I can't beleive all the CRAP my insurance put me through.Ive been trying since Dec,9.2009 to get the surgery done.Then they decided I needed to be on a 6 month supervised diet with my Primary Dr with journeling and monthly weigh ins.Did all that as well.My surgeon sent in my claim in Sept,2011 and I was denied.I thuoght oh no so I and my Drs appealed it.Took awhile but on Nov,30 I won my appeal im scheduled for my surgery next week on Jan,10.2012 and its been a LONG journey but I was determined to win.Im like most of us if I could lose the weight I would but I could only get off a few pounds and gain it all back and another 10 or more to go with it.So hang in there and don't let your insurance Bully you into giving up.I also get questioned alot because of the lower BMI.Good luck you will get there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm approved and going tomorrow to try and sch for Jan 30. Just found out fri that my husbands ins. Which is my 2nd insurance also will cover had has exactly same pre req as my insurance. So now I'm hoping between the 2 I can afford my portion that is left. Hopefully I will he some answers tomorrow!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm sch. for Feb 6th and everything is a GO! I could have done the 30th but with my husbands work sch. it ended up it I did it on the 6th he could take of 2 weeks to be off with me. I'm soooo ready to do this and be on the road to being much healthier and feeling better over all. I'm not nervous yet but I'm sure I will be soon LOL just excited!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm sch. for Feb 6th and everything is a GO! I could have done the 30th but with my husbands work sch. it ended up it I did it on the 6th he could take of 2 weeks to be off with me. I'm soooo ready to do this and be on the road to being much healthier and feeling better over all. I'm not nervous yet but I'm sure I will be soon LOL just excited!

We're sleeve twins!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lol yep! I'm so ready ! On the bright side I've lost 6 this week on the liquid diet and still 2.5 days left ... Wishing is BOTH luck and speedy recovery!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Does anyone know, if you are already approved for surgery but your weight goes below the bmi they require because of the pre op diet, can they cancel or stop it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Idk I guess it could happen... I only lost about 5 before and now another 6 on 1 week pre op diet. I asked my Dt upfront how much I could lose before they would cut me off he said about 12-15 max.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Idk I guess it could happen... I only lost about 5 before and now another 6 on 1 week pre op diet. I asked my Dt upfront how much I could lose before they would cut me off he said about 12-15 max.

But was this before or after you were approved?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had just made the BMI requirement and was diebetic. With prediet, I lost enough weight to put me under the BMI and the surgeon's office told me I couldn't have the surgery. WTF! I was so angry until I remembered that I didn't tell them I was taking lisinopril to protect my kidney's. The PA told me it was still a no, then I made an appt with the surgeon, and she gave me the ok. I felt as if when I came in for the procedure, they were going to tell me I couldn't do it because I wasn't ft enough. So frustrating. I suggest to just loose a little, because the bottum line is $$$$. They don't turn any one away unless they absolutely have too. Good luck! Hope to hear from you soon. ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×