[tara]

Hi! I am a newbie, with a BMI of 36. I'm only 32, but I do have arthritis in my knees and I have sleep apnea. I am waiting for insurance approval right now. Anyone else out there that had a BMI under 40 before going in? I would love to hear from you!

[Pillows]

Nope, sorry Tara, but my BMI was 48 when I went in, but best of luck.
Janae

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, tara.
Thank you for joining us, I hope you will find this place informative and fun.
((((((HUGS))))))

I am not aware of any one having WLS at BMI 32.

Do you know the NIH criteria for WLS? The insurance companies go by this criteria for approval.
The criteria is as follows.
1. BMI of 40 or more (or 100lb or more overweight for men, 80lb o more oveorweight for women) with no co-morbidities.
2. BMI between 35 and 39.9 with serious obesity related health problems --co-morbidities-- such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sever sleep apnea, and such.

However, it is known that with certain ethnicities, the co-morbidities become serious even if your BMI is less than the above criteria. The Asian Briatric Surgeon's Meeting recommends lowering the cirteria for Asians to,
1. BMI of 37 or over, and
2. BMI between 32-36.9 with co-morbs.

I have also heard that many surgeons will not do the surgery unless the patient is BMI 40 or over, regardless of co-morbs. Since you are waiting for insurance approval, I assume you already have a surgeon, though.

Good luck on your journey.

[Pillows]

Hey Doc, she said her age was 32, and her BMI was 36. I almost got the two figures confused too.
Janae

[DocSanae]

Oops
Gotta get my eye sight checked
Where'd these reading glasses disappear?

[tara]

It looks like I will be approved! I spoke with the insurance company today, and based on my history and co-morbids, they said it shouldn't be a problem. I have United Health. Anyway, I am very excited.

[Pillows]

Congratulations Tara. I hope that you get the desired results out of this surgery.
Janae