Surgery and weight?

[Jeneva]

What are the criteria the common US doctors use?  I've heard some won't take anyone over 200lb, others go by BMI.

I was diagnosed with bipolar type 1 last year and since I've been on anti-psychotics and lithium I've gained a ton of weight.  My Dr has my med chart online and I can see a 80 pound gain in less than 6 months.

BEFORE I get flooded with responses saying use a low calorie diet and exercise, I am working on that and past posts in the weight loss thread on this site show that.  However the dice are loaded against anyone taking these meds, as quick research will show.

Right now I'm unfortunately 275lb and 5' 11".  I suspect that disqualifies me from most surgeons.  I will have medicare in Jan and probably would have enough saved to pay out of pocket by September if medicare isn't being accepted.  So ironically now that I CAN have surgery I probably can't.

Medicine non-compliance to lose weight is NOT an option since I have been told point blank if I go off meds I lose my wife and children.

[Jenna Marie]

I know you asked about US surgeons, but since a bunch of people have said that and it turned out they also meant Brassard... He has a "preference" for lower BMI, but is willing to be flexible; I was 5'8" and about 210 bs when I had surgery with him, and although they'd said in email that losing a bit of weight from the 230 I was would be better, nobody said a word or even weighed me when I showed up. I even got a letter from my GP saying I was in fantastic health for surgery, which they also didn't look at but gave me some peace of mind.

Honestly, the biggest issue for surgery isn't weight per se, it's fitness; the healthier and fitter you are, the faster you're likely to recover. I bounced back beautifully, and I credit that in part to all the exercising I'd done for months beforehand. In your specific case, you also have extenuating circumstances that might convince some surgeons to make an exception.

Good luck.