The Perils of Borderline BMI

May 1, 2001

Hi, everyone.

Thanks so much for the responses to my posts. They've been really

helpful to me in navigating this surgery wilderness.

My appt. with my PCP in only a few hours away and I'm feeling all of

this pressure. Even though it hasn't happened yet, I feel all of

this pressure to *not* have surgery--to come up with/settle for/give

another try at more conventional methods of weight loss. Even as I

say this, I know that it's an almost ridiculous idea considering my

personal history. But, even so, I think I just want to avoid

conflict with someone with an " M.D. " after their name so much, that I

could conceivably walk in there and ask for Meridia or Xenical just

to ensure a favorable response.

I'm 27, 5'5 1/2 " and I weigh 240lbs. My BMI just at the 40 mark, but

just barely. I have no co-morbidities at this time as far as I

know. I feel stuck between a feeling guilt for even considering

surgery and this complete and utter sense of dread at being denied

coverage/not being accepted by a surgeon. It's a really crazy way to

feel. Sometimes the anxiety of it is so great that I just want to

drop the idea all together and just take speed or something.

I'm no longer sure of the original objective of this post. I think

I'd like to ask if there's anyone else out there that has/had a

similar pre-op BMI to mine, and if so, what was your experience with

pursuing this DS surgery?

Thanks,

-j

May 1, 2001

ME!!!! My BMI is 40.2! 5'8 and 260lbs. I felt the exact same way! I still have doubts until I think about all I've been through and take a good look in the mirror! I was very fortunate that my PCP is a woman who herself is on Weight Watchers and hoping it will work for her. She's lost over 100 lbs. I talked to her today to give her my surgery date and she is as excited about this as I am. My surgeon calls me "tiny" but only in jest. He, too, is very supportive. If you know you have tried everything and it's only getting worse and you're at the point that you don't dare diet anymore because you know you'll just gain it all back and then some, then you are ready. I do have co-morbidities so my goal is to feel better physically. You have to decide in your own heart of hearts if this is for you.

Mickyco-owner KoalityKare "Quality childcare isn't expensive. It's priceless."http://www.homestead.com/koalitykare/KoalityKare.html

The Perils of Borderline BMI

Hi, everyone. :)Thanks so much for the responses to my posts. They've been really helpful to me in navigating this surgery wilderness.My appt. with my PCP in only a few hours away and I'm feeling all of this pressure. Even though it hasn't happened yet, I feel all of this pressure to *not* have surgery--to come up with/settle for/give another try at more conventional methods of weight loss. Even as I say this, I know that it's an almost ridiculous idea considering my personal history. But, even so, I think I just want to avoid conflict with someone with an "M.D." after their name so much, that I could conceivably walk in there and ask for Meridia or Xenical just to ensure a favorable response.I'm 27, 5'5 1/2" and I weigh 240lbs. My BMI just at the 40 mark, but just barely. I have no co-morbidities at this time as far as I know. I feel stuck between a feeling guilt for even considering surgery and this complete and utter sense of dread at being denied coverage/not being accepted by a surgeon. It's a really crazy way to feel. Sometimes the anxiety of it is so great that I just want to drop the idea all together and just take speed or something.I'm no longer sure of the original objective of this post. I think I'd like to ask if there's anyone else out there that has/had a similar pre-op BMI to mine, and if so, what was your experience with pursuing this DS surgery?Thanks,-j----------------------------------------------------------------------

May 2, 2001

Me too! I had my switch in November (lost 78 pounds). I didn't

encounter any difficulty although I had PPO and ended up self-paying

while I waited for approval. I did in fact receive approval from

Aetna for the gastric bypass, but not the DS which they ended up

paying for everything except $6,000. I had an exact bmi of 40 5'10

280. I thought since I did have the low bmi, I was young in

relatively good shape always been very athletic I would breeze

through this...um NO!!

Just be prepared for anything is all I can say. I'm of course

thrilled to have had it done now, but there of course were times in

the beginning when I thought " why didn't I just try one more time " .

Which we know were it would have left me, you and all the rest of us

who lose only to gain it back. You know for me that was the hardest

of all was to lose it and feel great only for a short time and then

it's like Santa would come and take away all the toys he gave me for

Christmas..confidence, energy, activities, CLOTHES, adventure, and a

love life even. I still have a hard time really accepting the loss

right now because I fear it's only for a short time, but it's NOT.

THat's the difference Meridia or any of those drugs only work when

you take them. THe DS is forever and nobody can take it away, THANK

GOD!!!

Brigid

May 2, 2001