This is the only group I can complain to …

I've got my first full day of meetings with lab, cardiology, radiology, surgeon on August 7th. I’m barely a 35 BMI with co-morbidities (5’11”, 251), so I'm very hesitant to lose weight until I’m approved. I feel I could drop 25 or 30 fairly quickly “myself”, but I think that would disqualify me for the sleeve, which I'm hoping will assist me in dropping 100.

So, I'm waiting to lose weight!

Are you having surgery on us or mexico?

Sounds like you are having surgery in the US. This would not be an issue in Mexico. My bmi was under 33 when I had my surgery in Mexico

My BMI was under 33 at 5' 6" and I had my surgery in Cincinnati (UC Medical Weight Loss Center with Dr. Brad Watkins). I did have 1 co-morbidity and could show the surgeon years of dieting rollercoasters. He put me on a liquid diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. I weighed 214 on my first day of liquid diet, 196 day of surgery and today I'm at 180 (surgery was May 22). I paid $7500 for everything (pre surgery qualifications, doctor's appointments, surgery, hospital stay, post op visits, etc). You don't always have to go to Mexico if you do your research. Good luck!

Hi - thanks for the responses, I haven't checked in in a bit. I'm hoping to get sleeved in Cleveland, AND to have insurance pay. I've got a documented roller coaster ride with peaks over 35 BMI, but don't want to push my luck with insurance approval by showing up with BMI below 35.

I'm in the exact same predicament! I would either need to gain weight for insurance to pay or they are desperately trying to find a co-morbidity. I want to start losing weight today but until I am approved, I feel "obligated" to stay at this weight. Did you ever get the sleeve?

Forget that! Going to Mexico.... My BMI is 33. I am 5-10 /231pds. I am on the pre op at the moment. But in the states they want so much. I'm a kinda here's the money give me what I want type of guy.

Cidcherise,
What was the process for having your surgery at UC? How did you find out about them?