Apologies if I am posting in the wrong place!

I used to have a BMI of around 60 (330 lbs) - I kept being told to get bariatric surgery but managed to lose weight without it, going down to a BMI of around 22 (115 lbs). I've maintained that weight loss for a long time, but over the past year my BMI has shot back up to 33 (180 lbs) but my waist size is disproportionate from everything I have read and is currently around 51 inches. I know most surgery says a BMI of 35 is the lower limit, but would my increased waist size and history of being severely obese count in my favour and mean I could go for surgery earlier? I have had to have my gallbladder removed and have a medical condition that flares up when I am significantly overweight too. It probably sounds stupid as I know I'm obese but my waist is so big in comparison to the rest of my body it feels constantly uncomfortable and I'm feeling absolutely desperate to sort it out and I'm just not managing with dieting like I did last time, plus I'm concerned that I'll keep gaining weight without help.

I know it is probably something I just need to discuss with surgeons but I thought it would be worth getting other opinions or experiences if possible. Thanks in advance!

Most likely you would have to pay out of pocket but some surgeons will do the surgery with a BMI of 30. it’s usually the insurance company that dictates the 35 BMI minimum and that’s with at least one comorbidity for most companies. One thing that may help though is if you haven’t measured yourself in a while to do so. You may be shorter than you think and your BMI a little higher. I was.

^^^ agree with everything she said.

Thank you both.

I've just remeasured myself and I'm 2 inches shorter than I was last time I was measured (it was years ago to be fair)! My BMI then comes out at 36 which obviously isn't a good thing as I'm further from my goal, but at least it might make it easier for me to sort getting support.

Would my past history of being able to lose weight without surgery hold me back at all? Or that I've obviously gained a fair amount of weight in quite a short amount of time. I really want to nip it in the bud but I'm concerned that without some intervention I won't be able to and I don't want to go back to where I was originally.

33 minutes ago, tmbrown said:

Thank you both.

I've just remeasured myself and I'm 2 inches shorter than I was last time I was measured (it was years ago to be fair)! My BMI then comes out at 36 which obviously isn't a good thing as I'm further from my goal, but at least it might make it easier for me to sort getting support.

Would my past history of being able to lose weight without surgery hold me back at all? Or that I've obviously gained a fair amount of weight in quite a short amount of time. I really want to nip it in the bud but I'm concerned that without some intervention I won't be able to and I don't want to go back to where I was originally.

Being able to lose weight shouldn’t hold you back. Many of us have lost significant amounts of weight several times throughout the years but couldn’t keep it off. As for gaining a bunch of weight quickly I doubt that would matter. Some companies I have heard on here do require a weight history for several years but I don’t think many do. Many companies require you to do a six month long physician monitored diet where you have to get weighed once a month before they submit to insurance for approval.

Insurance companies only look at the numbers. The minimum BMI is 40, unless you have other health issues like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea heart disease, etc. Only then can you have a BMI of 35-39. A weight loss clinic will not meet with you unless you meet that criteria. They require a brief questionnaire online before you can schedule a consultation. It has nothing to do with your waist size, your previous weight or history. It’s all about the numbers before you can get through the door.

I find losing weight quite easy. I also unfortunately find gaining weight just as easy. I had the surgery to find a new life of intuitive healthy eating without measuring which is bad for my mental health. I was exactly BMI 35 when I had the surgery. I believe US insurances will pay if you have >35 with comorbidities.

Edited February 26, 20224 yr by Guest

I chose to get surgery because I've been a chronic dieter, laser and gainer. My dream is to just maintain a healthy weight. I once lost 70 lbs which was most of my excess weight and then gained it back plus some. I tried to lose the weight for 2 years straight but would ultimately lose then gain again. I got so tired of it. I took charge of my mental health first and then started exploring weight loss surgery. I think it's a good option if you can swing it. My insurance didn't cover it even though my BMI was 45 at the time. But I have terrible insurance lol

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This is exactly what I have done in the past, lose weight then gain it back plus more, although I've never gone past my highest weight. One of the reasons I'm keen to get started with a surgery journey is because I've gained back so much in such a short space of time that I'm worried that I'll keep getting bigger at this rate and before I know it I'll be further from healthy than I've ever been.

I have now booked in to talk to a doctor next week, which is something I've been delaying in the hopes I can lose the weight without help, plus I hadn't realised that I had slipped beyond a BMI of 30 (although now I know for sure, it is incredibly obvious that I am at an unhealthy size/shape, I even used to have loose skin that is now full again, I do not understand how I've been in this denial so badly, I feel like an absolute idiot!). I just want to be a healthy weight without using disordered techniques!!

Suzannethemom - I was concerned that that would be the case. I do suffer from idiopathic intracranial hypertension when I am at an unhealthy weight level, plus my home blood pressure readings have been high recently, I've just not seen the doctor about it as of yet. With the remeasuring of my height (I haven't been measured in about 20 years!) it does put my at a BMI of 36 so I'm hoping that they'll agree I am a suitable candidate.

Thank you all! Your help is greatly appreciated.

Edited February 26, 20224 yr by tmbrown

You are not an idiot! Weight gain and loss is a part of life, surgeries or not. I think it's a great step you can even recognize your patterns and ask for help. It's tough but I know there's hope. The biggest thing I see is to always make sure you have mental health support and put just as much work into that as you do the surgery or weight loss journey. I wish you luck and hope insurance helps you out with it!

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12 hours ago, tmbrown said:

I just want to be a healthy weight without using disordered techniques!!

This is the most important thing you can say to yourself None of this is worth it if it comes with being in a mental prison.

I am having my surgery in Las Vegas and my BMI < 35. I think for surgery BMI >30. I am a mostly a self pay, insurance will pay part of it, like pre-op testing, blood work, etc. I had looked into Mexico too. There are finance companies that will help with costs too. I am using Care Credit.

On 2/26/2022 at 4:33 PM, tmbrown said:

This is exactly what I have done in the past, lose weight then gain it back plus more, although I've never gone past my highest weight. One of the reasons I'm keen to get started with a surgery journey is because I've gained back so much in such a short space of time that I'm worried that I'll keep getting bigger at this rate and before I know it I'll be further from healthy than I've ever been.

I have now booked in to talk to a doctor next week, which is something I've been delaying in the hopes I can lose the weight without help, plus I hadn't realised that I had slipped beyond a BMI of 30 (although now I know for sure, it is incredibly obvious that I am at an unhealthy size/shape, I even used to have loose skin that is now full again, I do not understand how I've been in this denial so badly, I feel like an absolute idiot!). I just want to be a healthy weight without using disordered techniques!!

Suzannethemom - I was concerned that that would be the case. I do suffer from idiopathic intracranial hypertension when I am at an unhealthy weight level, plus my home blood pressure readings have been high recently, I've just not seen the doctor about it as of yet. With the remeasuring of my height (I haven't been measured in about 20 years!) it does put my at a BMI of 36 so I'm hoping that they'll agree I am a suitable candidate.

Thank you all! Your help is greatly appreciated.

So how did it go? Have you decided what you're gonna do?