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Hi,

I’ve got a consultation booked for sleeve surgery booked at a private hospital in the UK.
I have a BMI of 35, is this enough to go ahead with the surgery?
I don’t have any weight related health conditions, such as, I don’t have diabetes, although my brother has type 2, so I have a potential risk of it.

Any advice please, as I don’t want to be disappointed going for my consultation to be told I’m not eligible.

Warm wishes

colly

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40 minutes ago, Colly22 said:

Hi,

I’ve got a consultation booked for sleeve surgery booked at a private hospital in the UK.
I have a BMI of 35, is this enough to go ahead with the surgery?
I don’t have any weight related health conditions, such as, I don’t have diabetes, although my brother has type 2, so I have a potential risk of it.

Any advice please, as I don’t want to be disappointed going for my consultation to be told I’m not eligible.

Warm wishes

colly

It should be. Its considered overweight. what is your weight and height?

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Hi,

Thank you for replying.

My height is 5’5.5”

I weight 15.3 stone.

move read that you need to have a BMI over 35 and a weight related condition so be eligible.

kind regards,

Colly

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I thought your BMI had to be 40 or over or 35 and over with a comorbidity such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc.

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36 minutes ago, Colly22 said:

Hi,

Thank you for replying.

My height is 5’5.5”

I weight 15.3 stone.

move read that you need to have a BMI over 35 and a weight related condition so be eligible.

kind regards,

Colly

I have never in my life seen someone say their weight that way. I had to google that lol.

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not sure what the guidelines are in the UK - or if it makes a difference if you're self-pay or not. But you'll find out at the consultation. In the US, if your BMI is below 40, as others have said, you have to have weight-related conditions (such as diabetes) to qualify.

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It will completely depend on the surgeon. Each private center has their own BMI/health requirements. If they won't do it, and you feel strongly that you want to move forward, keep looking. You will find a surgeon if you keep looking. Best of luck!

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If you are self-pay, I wouldn't think it would be an issue. I have seen people on here who had BMIs similar to yours who got the surgery and were self-pay. I'm not sure of the rules in the UK, and what your surgeon will agree to.

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You will be fine, you are self pay. I was scared I would be too big, too old and have too many scars on my tummy. Everyone must be scared on their first consultation. I was put quickly at ease and able to ask questions. I was unsure which surgery I needed [ or which they would be able to do ] The surgeon explained them all and we came to the same conclusion, a sleeve. Dont be afraid something wont happen, I never will if you dont jump in with both feet.

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My BMI was 34.3 (considered obese) when I was sleeved. BMI was too low for my insurance to pay, so I paid it myself. This was in the U.S.

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If you are self pay I have heard of people with BMI as low as 30 having the surgery. If you are looking for insurance to pay it will probably be bmi of 35 WITH a comorbidity or BMI of 40 without. Don’t be so sure you don’t have a comorbidity though. Many overweight people have sleep apnea. Many teams will send you for a sleep study right off the bat.

Edited by ShoppGirl

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You will be fine. My BMI was 34 when I had it done privately in the UK and I didn’t have any severe health issues relating to weight. They will take you through a screening process but that’s mainly to ascertain that you understand what the surgery entails and that it’s permanent etc etc.

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I don't think you will qualify via the NHS but you should be fine if you go private.

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