I've jumped through all the hurdles (6 month diet, psych, sleep study, blood work, etc) and am submitting to insurance this week for approval.

The problem is I need to lose another 25lbs to achieve a BMI of less than 50 to qualify to have the operation in the surgical center (anesthesiologist rules).

I feel like it's better to get the surgery now even if it is in the hospital and get on with losing weight for good than waiting until I can lose the weight to qualify for the surgical center.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this scenario?

Your recovery will be smoother if you lose weight prior to surgery. The risks will decrease if you have a BMI of less than 50. Also, it is good to get your body used to the changes in diet, to reduce the size of your liver and to have a clean system prior to the surgery.

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Also, I lost 25 pounds in the 2.5 weeks prior to surgery. I did Optifast and stuck to it to the letter.

It is possible and will mean better outcomes in the long run.

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Its all depends on what you want...I had my lapband done at a surgical center as a day procedure...it was cheaper (I was self pay) and I slept in my own bed at the end of the day....

For my revision I had to pay for 2 nights in the hospital, actually all I needed was one, my surgoen was ready to release me the next day I was doing so good....but I stayed (I had to self pay again) and since I'd already wrote the check I was going to stay there....

I'm in the same situation. But I have 50lbs to loose. I have decided in hospital with the 1 night stay. I figure the more time I wait, the longer the weight loss process will be.

My surgery date is sept 25 with PSSC

Thanks ladies for the good info. I suspect I will get scheduled earlier at the surgical center so I think I will give it a shot and work really hard this next few weeks and see what happens.