I know this sounds very strange but is it possible to lose too much weight prior to obtaining authorization from the insurance. My BMI is 44 right now. I'm afraid that I'll lose one pound too many while I'm working through my six month requirement and drop my BMI to 39.9 and then not qualify for surgery. Is that possible? Or do they use the starting weight from your first appointment?

I hope not. I have lost 73 pounds so far pre-op.

The center I go to says they use your initial weigh in weight. So yours should be the 44 bmi . I'd double check with them, but it doesn't seem likely for it to be any different.

I was told to not drop below 40 or insurance won't pay.

Your BMI can go as low as 35 if you have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or many other diagnosis.

Yes to@Newme17. Once you have been weighed at your first surgeon's appt, you can start losing without worry of insurance impacts. In fact, I bet your surgeon would be thrilled as it makes surgery easier for him if you lose weight.

That is what I was also told, they take the weight of your first apt! So go for it[emoji5]

Be careful with that, one month I got off 10 lbs and my Doc told me the insurance company may look at it as you can do it on your own. I would wait to drop the most after the final visit. My 6 months was a perfect example of what I alway do, lose then gain.

Thanks for the heads up!

My bmi did go below 40 and I was approved with no comorbities.

Thank you i have this exact question as well

My nutritionist said we will watch that I don't drop too much because if BMI gets below 40 they may not approve it. I think it really is dependent on the insurance.

Thank you all for the feedback! The person that would know the answer was not in the office today when I went in for my follow up and psych eval....which I passed today! One step closer!

I started in my clinic at a BMI of 41 and dropped down to 36. The first surgeon I saw said I was "so successful so far" he didn't think it was worth it to operate on me and that I should try just going on as I have been. Luckily I was able to seek a second opinion within the clinic who agreed surgery would definitely be beneficial to me in not only losing more, but maintaining my current loss. but yes I was very nearly rejected for being "too successful" within the clinic. not a nice feeling.

The insurance company qualifies you from where you start. Some entitle you to lose weight before the surgery some don't. As long as you don't drop below 35, you will still get approved. Congratulations on your new you

If you can lose so much on your own....why do this drastic surgery.

How do you rationalize, removing 80% of your stomach. I was hopeless and did this insane surgery.

Now I am losing too fast and could care less about the weight loss.

I would take every single pound back not to be on daily meds for this acid reflux