Paying privately for WLS in the UK - minimum BMI?

[angie790]

Just a quick question for all of the people that paid privately for their WLS in the UK....I have a friend who is overweight and is looking into privately funding WLS herself. Her BMI is probably around 33, not the heaviest but it is problem enough for her....I'm pretty sure I have read others on here have had a BMI lower than 35 and have still had surgery, but my question is has anyone been refused surgery (even privately) based on their BMI being too low?

 

[Neen]

You would like to think a reputable surgeon would refuse with a bmi well under 30 but I guess health problems would maybe sway it as well. I definately reckon a bypass under 30 bmi is overkill though

 

[angie790]

I do agree with what you are saying Neen. We were talking about things this morning and this cropped up, and I wasn't really sure how things lay in the private sector.

 

[Fashionably Late]

My surgeon, Mr Ammori, said he wouldn't perform a bypass with a BMI of less than 35 but he would do a band. Bypass with a BMI of 33 seems rather extreme.

 

[Chuffy_29]

Most of the private sector still ask for BMI over 35. Not sure i have seen anyone who "advertises" bypass for under 35 and even then they still ask for co-morbidities. Band might be more likely.

 

[salski]

Its weird and understandable that they put it at 35...but surely all that would encourage would be people over eating to get a higher BMI?!
Cant help Im afraid but good luck to your friend x

 

[Fashionably Late]

Its weird and understandable that they put it at 35...but surely all that would encourage would be people over eating to get a higher BMI?!

The same could be said for the NHS as well.

 

[angie790]

Most of the private sector still ask for BMI over 35.

That is what I suspected....she's been doing some research & is looking at either the band or a gastric sleeve and I told her honestly I wasn't sure whether anyone would perform the sleeve given her (relatively) low BMI & also as she has no co-morbidities. Cheers for your replies. xxx