I'm new to the site and I need help, help, help! I go to my first seminar at Mercy Hospital in Chicago in a week and I am not sure what's going to happen. My BMI is low (about 37.5) and I am afraid I wont qualify for insurance approval (medicaid). I wont bore you all with my struggles with weight loss, but I will say, this is insane to me to not be fat enough.

I know HOW to lose the weight. Ive done it a million times before. What I need the WLS for is help keeping it off once Ive lost it.

Please, please help me with the quailifying process over at Mercy.

Is the seminar weigh in, the number they use for approval? Will the nurse put my weight up a bit since I'm close? Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kimber

Edited December 29, 200817 yr by Kimber7
mistakes

Assuming all seminars are pretty much the same, it is an informational session where the various surgeries are explained, and info about what you need to qualify. Some insurances may have different criteria, but, in general, a BMI of 40 plus 100 lbs overweight, or a BMI 35-39 with one or more co-morbidity (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint arthritis, reflux, sleep apnea--there may be more, but that is the basic list). There is no weigh in at the seminar; that would take place either at your surgical consult, or when you meet the dietician. Some insurances require a documented 6 month weight loss attempt (I didn't have that so I met with the dietician who set me up for it and I had to wait until that was over before they could submit to my insurance). You will also get a psych consult and a pre and post op meeting with the dietician, plus a class with the bariatric nurse. I had all of that, and I think in general most places work that way. The seminar is just informational, to give you an idea what to expect. If you find you don't qualify you don't have to make any other appointments, and the seminar is usually free. Good luck on your journey. The band is a tool to help you control portions; it is still up to you to eat right and exercise. Hope this helps.

In general, most insurances require a bmi of at least 40. A lower bmi is approved if the patient has co-morbidity issues.

The seminar is informational only. You will be there with many other people. They do not do a weigh in at the seminar.

Thanks so much for that information Patchelton and Tquad. That info coupled with my PM's from Maquirre are just what I needed to calm down. I know I'm a bit under without any serious comorbitities, but I'm hoping something will give. I'm not opposed to putting quarters in my pockets (smile).

I have heard of people wearing weights or placing heavy items in their pockets. My doctor's office required that we weigh with shoes and socks off.

I heave heard other people have gained weight to meet the bmi requirement.

I am not recommending the above, but I have read on several threads on this forum that people have done some of the above, so they can get the surgery.

Well sign me up, because if I thought I could wear weights and get away with it for approval, I would. I don't have a problem losing weight. I just don't know how to keep it off.