Hi,
I was hoping to start my second cycle of ICSI this month. Although it is self-funded they are reluctant to start until I have increased my BMI. Last time I was just on the edge so was ok to go ahead. I have always been around this weight though. Does anyone have any tips for putting on weight quickly in a healthy way? Hope everyone is doing ok.
Thanks,
Zoe
Hi.
It might be worth speaking with a dietitian/ nutritionist. Does your clinic recommend one?
Just my thoughts but you could try protein powder in smoothies etc or more full fat diary / yoghurt with nuts and seeds so plenty of healthy fats.
My BMI used to be quite low but adding weight/resistance training into my exercise regime changed that.
Best of luck x
Hi,
Thank you so much for the advice. I have now spoken with a nutritionist who suggested healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, nuts, avocado, walnuts, almond butter/peanut butter, sweet potato with olive oil etc. She also said to up my carbs slightly. I have PCOS so had been reducing carbs but a bit too much. I have tried the protein powder in smoothies and that is a good way of hiding in! I hadn't thought about weight training but that might be a good idea. Hope you are getting on ok xx
Thank you. Wishing you well when you start your cycle x
Thank you. Hope everything goes well for you too x
Your question brings back lots of memories, some of them bad😤, others just funny 😄 I struggled as well in adding extra kg to have min BMI of 19. I asked NHS fertility clinic to refer me to the nutritionist, unfortunately I had to wait 6 months to get an appointment with them and this was prior Covid craziness. I went there and nutritionis offered me a list with things that I should eat and also she prescribed me milkshakes 2 per day that had almost 400kcal one. I managed to put some weight but was a very slowly process for me so I cheated 🤣 a bit. I was wearing tonnes of clothes when I was going for weight checks. At some point I was so pissed off I just put some extra weights into my bra 🤣🤣😂 yes!!! Crazy times, crazy measurements! 🙄🤭🤫 When I moved to private clinic I asked my doctor how important is to have BMI of 19, she told me if I am having normal periods (which I do have) then is just about genetics and it won't change the IVF outcome. I fallen pregnant after FET at 47kg, so my BMI was 18. Take care ❤️🤗
Thank you so much for your reply. That' really bad that you had to wait for so long! That's really great to hear about your IVF working! It's so nice to hear a positive story. I have pretty regular periods so I think this weight is about normal for me. I have now spoken with a nutritionist who has suggested some things. That's so funny about the weights in your bra! I will definitely be wearing extra clothes at least next time! Hope you are getting on ok xx
My BMI is 18, sometimes it falls just shy of that too and I haven’t been challenged on it - I actually didn’t think they would challenge anyone on it if it falls within the “normal range” so sorry to hear you have been.
It sometimes means the drugs you take are a much lower dosage (like blood thinners) but other than that as Ranchu says, so long as you’re having regular periods and are healthy then it shouldn’t be a huge issue. I’ve always been this weight and I eat healthy as well as naughtily sometimes!
If you want to/need to put weight on, then maybe try a high carb and high protein diet with lots of wholemeal pastas and chicken for example. Add in some milkshakes as suggested below or protein powders but also don’t make yourself unwell! Eat regularly and often, maybe including nuts like cashew nuts which are high fat.
Wishing you lots of luck 🍀 xx
Hi,
Thank you so much for your message. I am just outside the normal range but pretty sure this is normal for me as I eat well! I have now spoken with a nutritionist who suggested healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, nuts, avocado, walnuts, almond butter/peanut butter, sweet potato with olive oil etc. She also said to up my carbs slightly. I have PCOS so had been reducing carbs but a bit too much. I was already on protein powder but have tried the in smoothies and that is a good way of hiding in! Hope you are getting on ok xx
Hi zozoeee123
I'm sorry you are having to go through this especially as it's something you might not be able to control.
I've got low bmi (just under 18 i think )but that's nothing new I've been like this all my life have regular periods etc. If anything I have e put on a few kgs since lockdown but it's not massive. (Still a yay from me).
I've got to the point I'm sick to death of the comments as they are hurtful. I sometimes think you wouldn't say something to a overweight person so why say things to me. I see it as a form of discrimation. I had to push for my nhs treatment as I made the point I've always been like this and my periods are the regular etc. I don't look malnutritioned or deprived. I'm just petite and have been like this since birth. I don't know any different.
When I went for egg collection. Hubby was waiting for me to return from surgery and he heard the anesthetist say to the nurse how on earth was she ( meaning me) referred and commenting about my weight saying I shouldn't have been referred. He was furious. He said to me first of all its not your fault. Second of all they shouldn't be commenting about patients out loud and thirdly that isn't there place to decide. Who gives them that right.
At that point I had stopped caring as I mentally had no room for it. I was already mentally going crazy with covid, the delays to my treatment caused by covid, work was stressing me out to the max, so I had no room for it anymore. my weight wasn't anything I could control. I did try my best to put more weight on but I just couldn't and if I did it was so minimal.
Anyhow that was a BFN. I'm now looking at private and they said its fine to proceed. Not ideal but as long as period are regular etc. The consultant began to comment on my weight and I jumped in and nipped it in the bud and said you have teenager's who are probably the same weight or less and they have kids so don't tell me it's an issue. That kind of put a stop to the comments and they were nice about it in the end. My consultants just said if I can, to try to put on weight.
I've always eaten healthy and had junk food in moderation I'm not always a fan of it. I've never monitored my eating and have been free with it and have a good relationship with food.
I cant offer any recommendations but I just wanted you to know you aren't alone and there are people that have been through ivf despite being borderline bmi. so it's possible.
Eat good protein and try working out and use weights. It might help. Other than that just be firm and find somewhere that won't put you down and will support you through this process.
I wish you all the luck in the world. Be strong there is no reason why you shouldn't have the same treatment as anyone else. X
Your story makes me sad Hopenq I am really sorry that you had to go through this. Is equally difficult to gain or to lose weight but the clinic shouldn't go crazy about a perfect BMI of 19. When we had first 2 transfers and ended in chemicals I thought that my weight could indeed be a problem but was wrong, as my successful transfer was when I was below 19. Take care 💕🤗
Hi,
Thank you so much for your message and for your kind words of support. I'm so sorry to hear about what you had to go through. That is just so hurtful to hear comments. They have no right to be doing that. Hope you are feeling better about the process now you are at the new centre. As we are self funding this time we will go ahead regardless of my weight! It's just annoying that it has to be an issue. I have now spoken with a nutritionist who suggested healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, nuts, avocado, walnuts, almond butter/peanut butter, sweet potato with olive oil etc. She also said to up my carbs slightly. I have PCOS so had been reducing carbs but a bit too much. I was already on protein powder but have tried the in smoothies and that is a good way of hiding in! Hope you are getting on ok with your treatment xx
Thank you Ranchu90 I appreciate it. Mind you I love your thinking outside the box. Goes to show sometimes it just all about numbers and ticking a box not actual personal treatment.
It's nice to see that after everything you had your successful outcome x
True be told, IVF treatment itself is the most efficient way to put on weight in my experience. My BMI shot up from 17.9 to 18.8 within a few months time from a failed cycle. But neither the NHS nor the private clinic has ever flagged my BMI. Have you tried drinking 2L water right before getting on the scale? I find food and drink can have an immediate effect on the weighing scale. x
Hi, thank you for your kind reply. I will definitely try that before the next weight check! Hope you are getting on ok with your own journey xx
I needed a BMI of 19 to get treatment on the NHS. Mine was about 18. The clinicians werent too worried about it though as I have regular periods and ovulate. So they just reduced my height on the forms which gave me a "perfect" 19 😆 shame your clinic is being so rigid. I've always struggled to put on weight so cant offer any advice. All the best.
That's good of them to do that. It makes sense if you are ovulating. I feel this BMI is normal for me as I eat well and ovulate. Hope everything goes well for you too xxx
I passed the weigh-in yesterday! Hopefully we can start this month. Thank you to everyone for your advice and hope you are getting on ok xx
BMI & NHS Funding 
Icsi round 
Healthy eating vs BMI
ICSI
Exercise & ICSI
