I am still in the final process of getting the surgery. I have done all my pre req. except my meeting with the surgen and then final approval from insurance.

I am 5'8 and weight 271 (no clothes) about 275 (with). The nutritionist said I should really be starting to eat different so that I don't get depressed after surgery (which I agree with 100%).

But, my concern is that I may lose too much weight. It has never really been a problem for me to lose 10 lbs or so, but, I don't have that much I can lose without making myself under 40 bmi. I don't meet with the surgeon until november 20th.

What would you guys recommend that I do? I am at such a loss. I have been doing slim fast all week. shake - Shake - meal - snack.

I would just hate to lose 15-20 lbs and then be denied, just to gain it back or not be able to lose the last 80-85. KWIM?

Please please advise! Thanks! :smile2::confused::thumbup:

I would recommend that you hold off on dieting right away. I started my process on August 12th, received my approval on September 16th. I actually had to gain 5 pounds to ensure I would not have a problem with insurance (incidentally we are the same height and I gained 5 pounds to hit 271 and make sure my BMI was 40). I had my surgery on October 3rd and I have not had any trouble since the surgery. I don't feel much hunger therefore, I don't have trouble eating much better than before. I want to loose 100 pounds and looked at gaining 5 pounds as the assurance that I would have a better chance of meeting my ultimate goal, not the 25 pounds that I can usually take off by myself before I get bored with a diet. Unless you have co-morbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure etc), I would not start dieting until you have an approval from insurance. I wish you the best.

I completely agree with the last post. I am in the same situation except I have to wait the 6 months and if I lose 10lbs I don't qualify. 25 lbs isn't too difficult but the rest is. Wait until after you talk to your surgeon. Good luck!

I agree, don't diet until your surgery is scheduled. Actually you may never "diet"...the band is for life and how you eat afterward will depend on many things. But for now, I wouldn't be trying to reduce if I was as close to the "edge" as you are.

I agree with all the posters. I was told not to go beyond the 40. BMI, until the insurance company approved the surgery.

It is easy to lose the weight, but hard to keep off...Good luck

I always wondered about that, because I was just over 40 BMI when I first started the process. I have lost enough to be below 40 BMI now, but the insurance didn't ask for my weight again - just the first evaluation with the surgeon. I was just approved yesterday and surgery is Monday. I had the surgery tentatively scheduled for Monday about a week ago, and my surgeon's office had been talking with my insurance folks all along the way. I guess it just depends on what your insurance requires. I would be cautious, though, just like the other posters have said. So much seems to depend on the whims of the insurance companies and the specific plans each of us has.

My insurance BC/BS, takes the start weight at the time of the 6-month medically supervised diet...Not the end weight. However, my surgeon thought this might be an issue, since be BMI went to 40.1 and instructed me to maintain my current weight, until we received insurance approval. Now that the insurance approved the WLS I am back to losing more weight for the surgery.

I too have BCBS and was told that they would take the initial weight not the ending weight. I lost weight on the 6 month pre-op supervised diet and I cant believe I got approved! Good luck

I would not "diet" right now. Although, most insurances take the initial weight not the last one. I am trying eat healthy and like I would have to for the rest of my life after the "band". That's all I'm doing. Only in larger portions. Hope this helps.

I have a slightly different perspective - my bmi is 38. However, because of two co-morbidities - sleep apnea and polycystic ovarian syndrome, I was still approved...

My experience is that I decided to diet to get a head start on the band, and I ended up gaining weight! I should have left well enough alone - I had been maintaining for years until I changed my eating habits. So my advice is to only diet if you have a serious plan you can follow and you know you will stick to it and not gain weight.

I think it really depends on the insurance. My insurance requires a 6 month diet, exercise, and lifestyle instruction and progress. The group that I am working with provides classes for a fee that help with all of this so you meet the criteria. They basically say that you should lose around 1-2 lbs per month, but you need to document your eating and exercise habits and you go to monthly weigh-ins. I think this also helps post op so you are not in shock with your eating habits (the bad ones) and helps transistion you to the band life. I really see this as a plus because it appears to me that changing your bad habits now helps ease you into your new life.