I started my 6 month supervised diet and exercise program 4 months ago with a BMI of 42. I have lost 8 lbs and my current BMI is close to 41. I was told by my surgeon/doctor's office that if my BMI drops below 40 before I start my 2 week liquid diet then my insurance (BCBS) won't approve me for surgery since I have no co-morbitities. I've provided the necessary proof that previous diets and weight loss attempts have not been permanent for me, hence the reason for getting the surgery. I am trying to make changes and prepare myself for life after surgery but feel like I'm being hindered by the fear of losing too much. I feel like they should use my starting BMI. Anyone else had this issue?

That's bizarre. My insurance used my starting BMI. Call the company directly and double check.

I was just barely over a 40 BMI with no co morbitities. My surgeon told me to not lose any weight during 3 month required visits with him. He said he didn't want to give the insurance company any out of approving me if I dipped below a BMI of 40 for one of the weigh ins.

Each insurance company is different but I feel that the surgeon and the insurance coodinator are very experienced at dealing with insurance companies so I took the advice and didn't risk it.

I was at slightly above a 40 bmi as well. I had to go in for monthly weigh ins and was told to lose nothing as well or I wouldn't be approved. I can go as low as 205lbs and that is it. I gained by eating all that I wanted to say goodbye to. I am at 211! I want those 6lbs gone before surgery in July! My last weigh in is on July 8th. I would love to get close to that 205, then 199 by surgery day. Feeling yucky and bloated and hot in this Vegas summer heat. Ready to have surgery and spend 3 weeks in air conditioning learning about my new sleeve and following the doctor's orders. I've been given no guidelines on a pre op diet as he doesn't want me on one but after the 8th no weigh ins will be recorded to the insurance for approval so if I lose a few lbs it should be OK. I went to the gym yesterday. Today going to do my gillian Michaels 90 day

That is bizarre. My doctor told me not to worry, that I was going to lose weight during my pre op. He said that he used my pre diet BMI and that's not going to change. My insurance has paid without really anymore questioning. I DID have to have a sleep study. But that was for the anesthesia doctors. I also had no co morbidities. When I checked in on post op day (June 3rd) I was 12lbs down and my nurse congratulated me.

My doc said only a week low carb was needed for pre op liver shrink. Anything else is excess. I gained in 8lbs food funerals (i gain so easy) but lost it in that week. I don't know why he would require a longer pre op diet.

My preop diet was 10 days. And pureed stuff right after surgery. Granted I'm really only handling shakes. But I'm trying a little food every day.

I had no pre-op diet at all, I could eat anything I liked until 10pm the night before op, which was this morning at 8. I guess surgeons and circumstances are different.

Hi I agree with the above statements check with your insurance company because they are suppose to use your starting BMI. Good look and congrats on your choice to be healthy. Keep u posted.

I too was told by my dr not to lose any weight. I had to have a 6 month supervised diet. I finally finished my last appointment we are submitting to the insurance on 6/18. I am so nervous!

I started my 6 month supervised diet and exercise program 4 months ago with a BMI of 42. I have lost 8 lbs and my current BMI is close to 41. I was told by my surgeon/doctor's office that if my BMI drops below 40 before I start my 2 week liquid diet then my insurance (BCBS) won't approve me for surgery since I have no co-morbitities. I've provided the necessary proof that previous diets and weight loss attempts have not been permanent for me, hence the reason for getting the surgery. I am trying to make changes and prepare myself for life after surgery but feel like I'm being hindered by the fear of losing too much. I feel like they should use my starting BMI. Anyone else had this issue?

I have BCBS and I'm not required to do a med supervised diet! Double check your med policy! Either way, the doc usually sends your initial BMI but from what I hear the diet is supposed to show that you can't drop a "normal" amount of weight through dieting (25+ lbs). If I were you, I would put in a little less effort the next few months to be on the safe side...

If all else fails with insurance, you could try pizza. Or ice cream. Just saying..... Lol.

Keep your options open.

Edited June 25, 201412 yr by BeagleLover

It has been a hard journey for me. I was in the same boat.

I have gained and lost the same 10 pounds all my life. Those 10 pounds lost could have meant I wouldn't qualify. I have no comorbidities. I have bcbs. I had to suffer 6 months of not eating well or doing any exercising because I feared that I would drop below 40 BMI.

My Doctors words were. We'll I'm not telling you to eat Mc Donalds everyday...but don't lose weight. We are submitting to the insurance on Wednesday.

Even though I didn't work hard to lose weight these past 6 months like a lot of you have to, It was tough. Fearing I can't drop down any weight because I wouldn't qualify. I ate junk I normally wouldn't eat. I didn't workout because of the same fear. And The worse you eat the worse you feel and the worse you feel about yourself.

Now that I have my last appointment in I can lose those 10 lbs without fear. I just hope I am approved. Then the 6 months of feeling like crap will be worth it!

Best of luck to you all,