BMI?
Hi, I just joined this group because I am
considering having a gastroplasty. I read in one of the
messages posted that you have to have a BMI of 40+. I
don’t know what that is, but I am more than 100 lbs.
overweight. What is BMI and how do I find out what mine is?
April 24th, 2004 at 3:53 am
www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/ - is a great
site to go to - you can figure your body mass index -
find peers within your state and find a physician -
they have tons of information if you are researching
to decide which procedure you want.
April 24th, 2004 at 9:34 am
BMI means Body Mass Index. It’s the relationship between your height and your
weight. Try going to surgicalteam.com. There’s a place there where you can
calculate your BMI
June 5th, 2004 at 10:55 am
OMG! how scary was THAT??? i just joined this
club and have spent the last 30 minutes "spot reading"
the posts … Congratulations One and All on your
progress! … i am contemplating surgery ~ i have
absolutely zero knowledge about anything i have been reading
~ BUT, i just did that BMI-thing … and i simply
was NOT prepared for the answer: EXTREME OBESE!!! i’m
5′2" @ 248lbs … i know i am FAT, but it was
*SHOCKING* to see those words … those two words were
describing ME! … WOW, that was really a shock to me! i
have no insurance … where do i begin??? i see from
the majority of Posts, that i’ve been reading, that
the theme is to discuss "stages of your surgeries"
and everyone seems to know what each other is going
through and they are majorily supportive ~ which is
grrreat! but, i also notice that there are many people out
there asking ‘where do i begin this journey? and there
are NO REPLIES … can someone please, point me in
the right direction >>> thanks, pat
June 5th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
First let me start by saying welcome to the
group. To answer your question about were to begin I
would say you have taken the first step. Find out as
much information about this as you can. I see you do
not have insurance are you willing to self pay??? If
not you may want to think about trying to obtain
insurance. While looking for insurance please be sure to
read the policy to make sure they cover the procedure.
Until you start that process I would say keep reading
and keep obtaining info.
June 6th, 2004 at 2:58 am
thanks, Quitakirk, for responding! if we are
talking, say, up to $5,000, i could probably pay for it
myself. i am still planning to apply for insurance for
other reasons. however, in order to expedite ‘losing
this other person’, i would not wait for that (Posts
suggest that it takes "years" from start to finish) …
can you recommend any SITES where i can begin
reading/gaining the knowledge i will need to make the right
decisions? thx so much for your help!
June 6th, 2004 at 1:39 pm
wow, u guys are reeeeeeelly nice!!! thanks Barbra! i will check em out!
June 6th, 2004 at 7:00 pm
Hi Pat,<br>I just thought I would let you know
how I got started. I haven’t had surgery yet, but the
first thing I did after researching was to get
insurance through my work. It was always there, it was just
so expensive that I didn’t want to pay the money out
for it. I figured this would be a good time to do so.
I applied and found out that weight loss surgery
was not excluded from our group policy. I then made
my appointment for a consult. The place that I’m
going to is taking care of trying to get it
pre-authorized. They told me it will take 6-10 weeks to know
anything. <br>I had also considered getting insurance
through some kind of individual policy, but decided to
just go with my works. Have you found out what places
do the operation near you? I live in the midwest so
I am going with Bariatric Treatment Center. I
believe they have places in IN, IL, MI, and WI. <br>I
would say your first step is to get insurance that does
not exclude weight loss surgery. <br>Brandy
June 7th, 2004 at 12:21 am
Hey Brandym3!!! i started researching and i
didn’t realize the surgery was so $expensive$
>>>WOW $20,000<<< i was thinking maybe 5k …
then, i will DEFINITELY have to apply for some
insurance before i take another step. first stumbling block
is that i am self-employed. right now i am in queens
nyc, however, i will be relocating in 2-3months time.
my intention was to get the insurance once i’m
settled. (financially, i will not be able to pay for any
coverage until i move). APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH OF THE FEE
WOULD A POLICY COVER? i am disappointed to think i will
have to start from scratch >>> apply for
insurance … yada, yada, yada … two years down the road
>>> the surgery!!! is that REALLY HOW LONG THIS WHOLE
THING TAKES??? i’m no "Sping Chicken" … maybe there
is another way to shrink this bod (???) Pat
June 7th, 2004 at 5:42 am
You can start where I started. Search for qastric
bypass surgery. I went to the John Hopkins Hospital site
first, before I started going into the different surgery
centers.<br><br>I researched for about 6 months before I made my
appointment to see the doctor, but I knew well before that
that I needed this surgery. Good luck to you if you
decide, it’s been wonderful for me, and I’m only 1 month
out.<br><br>Pam
June 7th, 2004 at 9:44 pm
Good things take time!<br>Kim
June 8th, 2004 at 3:05 am
I didn’t mean to sound flip on that last post,
but it is important to lay a good foundation for such
an important change. There’s plenty of research to
do, AND…there are things you can do to prepare,
like getting yourself in as good a shape as possible
(if you smoke, you’ll need to quit), and develop a
personal support group. Gather patience, you’ll need it
unless you are as lucky as gaygoalie! ~kim
June 8th, 2004 at 1:46 pm
you might want to try www.obesityhelp.com lots of
good doctors to look for there, plus ideas on what
kinds of insurance to get. You also might want to look
into Voc Rehab. There are many surgeons in St. Louis,
I have meet Dr. Boyd Terry in Columbia,MO he is
nice but there is a long waiting list for him, 8-12
months. I sent in my app. over 3 months ago, and I still
do not have an appt. date. I called Dr. Helling in
K-C, MO and I have an appt. with him July 30 and he
schedules surgery that day within 2 months, so I am very
happy. I will keep you posted.<br>Barbra
June 9th, 2004 at 5:49 am
Hi mrswings69,<br>I live in springfield missouri,
im scheduled for a total hysterecctomy the 12th. I
wish like CRAZY!!!! i could get a docter to do the RnY
while im having my hysto done. I don’t have much
confidance in my PCP family doc. He will just look at me im
sure nad tell me to keep trying. Only 11 days away..do
you know of any docs here in springfield?? ive been
researching alot and have found some gastro docs but will
they do it too? should i call their office and ask
them??..or should i just go to my reg pcp doc and say LOOK i
want this..im 5′2 and weight 260 lbs..im
miserable!!!…anyone??..thanks Benzy
June 9th, 2004 at 4:30 pm
Benzy,<br>I live near Branson, not that far from
you. I went to my PCP and she was the one that told me
about this surgery like a year ago. I was in denial of
the fact that I had a serious problem. Yes, I was
overwieght, but I did not see it until I got Pictures back
from Christmas. Now I know why I always avoided those
cameras. So reality smacked me in the face. I have
medicaid, and there are only 2 Dr. in the state who take it
and do the surgery. I meet one he is in Columbia, Dr.
Boyd. Really nice, throuogh, but 8-12 to see him in an
appt. I am inpatient, especially when I have my mind up
to do something. I found another Dr. Helling, in K-C
and I have an appt. to see him July 30th. He
schedules surgery with in 2 months of the appt. I am
soooooooooooo excitied. All the other Dr.’s in the state that
does the surgery, are all up north in MO. Go to
www.obesityhelp.com check out the Dr. for the state of MO and what
kind of insurance each Dr. excepts. Call the Dr.’s
office and get more info. That is the best I can give
you. Most Dr.’s do require a referral for the surgery.
Good luck and if you need anything else, just e-me.
<br>Barbra
June 10th, 2004 at 7:14 pm
HI Barbra,<br>Thank you for the reply. I think i
PLus im havign tot ake off work
will have to wait until i get through this surgery
next week. I wish i would have not waited and jumped
right on this to get it going and have it done the same
time as my hysto.
for 6–8 weeks and work will onkly pay once in a
calendar year. Keep me posted on your progress!!!!! i
care!!!<br>Benzy