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Hi, my name is Michelle. I live right outside of Nashville TN. I have just started the procedure to get banded. I went to Dr Mortons office yesterday, filled out paperwork, gave insurance information and got weighed. I am 5'2 and weigh 197. They said my BMI was 35.5. Can I get such a surgery with a BMI that low? I have been on numerous diets only to gain back what I lost. I have rhuematoid Arthritus so maybe they will count that in as a factor. Anyone have a similar story? I also am wandering how long it may be till my surgery. Love the Forum!!!

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I don't know....I am a self pay, so I didn't have to meet any insurance demands...they denied me a few years ago, so I decided to self pay...My doctor says you don't have to be a certain amount of pounds overweight...you know, they use to say you had to be a 100 lbs overweight...that was not a problem for me, because I was plenty overweight....

Sorry I can't help you with your question, but I do wish you the very best....

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Michelle,

I would look very close at what your insurance plan says. Mine was BMI over 40, or 35 with co-morbids. Just make your insurance company give you the qualifications for WLS. I am also 5'2, I did weight 225. So my BMI was over 40. Also your surgens office can find out what the requirements are. I live close to Nashville also, I had my surgery this last Wed. by Dr. Eckles in Murfreesboro. The staff at his office are great, they went to bat for me on the insurance. Insurance was taking their sweet time getting me an approval, and were quite snotty to me. His office called them and gave them the "low down" on how he wants his patients treated, I had my approval that day. Good luck!!!

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My BMI was 38, but my insurance covered lapband if you were between 35 and 40 BMI with co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. I had major back surgery and weight loss will help, so my ins co. did cover the surgery. Check with the ins co to find if there is coverage for people with 35- 40 BMI with extenuating circumstances.

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I am also trying to get approved, my doctor said that it shouldn't be a problem, i am 5'1" and weigh 263, so my BMI is 49.7 . Hope everything works out ok for you. I live about 2 hours away from Nashville, my doctor says i will have to go to Nashville about 4 times before my surgery. Robbie

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    • 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!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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