Anyone asked or turned down for routine colonoscopy due to BMI?

Meow13

I just made my 5 year follow up colonoscopy appointment. I have gain weight since my last one and they grilled me. She said we have strict rules to performing the procedure. She asked my new weight and then said ok. I told her I am losing weight since stopping AI. The weight is slowly coming off. After I hung up, I thought you know I swim 1 mile every other day and also do an hour on treadmill for 3.5 miles on other days. No problems with blood pressure, sugar or cholesterol. Why was she so touchy about my weight?

I think I am in pretty good health but probably am 10 to 15 pounds overweight. Anyone else experience this when getting the colonoscopy?

Wildplaces

I think the crux of your answer is what centre you were having your colonoscopy in?

Some day procedure centres will have limitations on BMI for safety reasons.

Possible adverse effects of being overweight for a colonoscopy include:

- aspiration ( reflux while sedated deeply for the procedure ) from mild to severe aspiration pneumonitis and prolonged hospital stay

- navigating the entire length ( technically more difficult) of your colon without looping or overinflating which would increase your chance of perforation

So I would ask honestly if given your current weight you need a higher level of experience from both the anaesthetist and centre ( ...and scopist). The reality is a colonoscopy can be done safely in morbidly obese patients - you just need experienced staff and to prepare well for the case.

Hope it helps,

😊

Meow13

I guess it just took me by suprise. I don't have any physical retrictions or health problems and I had been there before. And besides you would think they would consult my gp if they had medical concerns with the test, just seemed weird on the phone. Am I suppose to make some judgements based on my weight. Yes I would like to lose 15 pounds.

bevin

I could see 100 lbs over weight being a concern but 15 lbs?  That doesn't make sense... it would be all of America... Could you call and ask?

Meow13

After thinking about it I understand they need my most current weight and height to figure out how much of the medication for prep I need to take but it was weird that they say "we have very strict rules on bmi here at the clinic". When I told her my weight she said ok. But wow if they had concerns they should ask the GP not make someone feel bad about their weight. My bmi puts me overweight just barely. BMI is not always a true assessment of physical health unless maybe you get into the obese category.

edwards750

Meow - I never heard of that. I just had mine in December. They asked me what my height and weight were but didn't weigh or measure me themselves so I guessed they took me at my word. Regardless she say anything about weight restrictions, etc. That is really bizarre. What does that have to do with the colonscopy? I agree I would understand it if you were obese or had high blood pressure or high cholesterol. I have low BP and cholesterol thankfully.

Btw my prep wasn't too bad but my DH got to use the Gatorade one when he had his last February. Then apparently it wasn't approved by the FDA so I couldn't use it.It's supposed to be easier to tolerate.

Good luck with yours!

Diane

edwards750

BTW my BMI is 23 which means squat to me.

Diane

Wildplaces

Diane BMI is your weight in kg divided by height in metres square and 23 is fine.

I am quite certain that is a piece of information you could have done without ....

Meow from what you're saying they are less then professional.

Do the scope, get more information, refer on but never EVERgrill a patient - why? Because they are the patient!!

It is as simple as that.

Good luck - maybe your GP can help find a different centre.