I don't think insurance will cover WLS for someone with such a low BMI. If you're self-pay, I think you would still have to convince a surgeon that it was in your best interest to remove 85% of your stomach to lose 45 lbs. What other methods of weight loss have you tried?

I don't know about the risks entailed, but I heard of a number of people having the sleeve done in Mexico who had "only" 40 or 50 lbs to lose. I suppose the most serious risk is that you could become too underweight before you had the capacity to eat enough post-surgery. But then there are nutritional supplement drinks like Boost or Ensure that could help if you had that issue.

Oh, and come to think of it, I believe I've heard of lapband to sleeve revision patients who had a relatively small amount of excess weight to lose at the time of the revision surgery, but the band had to come out and they were concerned about regain...

Wishing you the best with your decision!

I have a similar BMI and I am being sleeved in Mexico on Thursday. I have tried every diet known to man, I work out like a maniac and still cannot get to a comfortable weight. The only time I did was when I ate very little on diet pills. That was not maintainable, I feel that with the sleeve I will be able to get to and maintain a more comfortable weight.

We have the same BMI pre op. according to my doctor, with a lower BMI, the complications are less likely to occur and recovery should be easier.

I was sleeved 04/21. 6 weeks PO, and i feel absolutely normal, just dizzy occassionally.

Good luck!

I have a similar BMI and I am being sleeved in Mexico on Thursday. I have tried every diet known to man, I work out like a maniac and still cannot get to a comfortable weight. The only time I did was when I ate very little on diet pills. That was not maintainable, I feel that with the sleeve I will be able to get to and maintain a more comfortable weight.

Yes thats exactly how I feel....I work out, crossfit, ran a half marathon 2 wks ago yet I can't manage to get my weight to wear it needs to be. Good luck to you and let me know how it goes!

We have the same BMI pre op. according to my doctor, with a lower BMI, the complications are less likely to occur and recovery should be easier.I was sleeved 04/21. 6 weeks PO, and i feel absolutely normal, just dizzy occassionally.Good luck!

Ok great, I was hoping that would be the case of less complications etc. How is your weight loss coming along, with a lower BMI I have heard the weight does not drop as readily...curious to hear more about your journey. Good luck!

I was sleeved on 2/13/2012 with a low BMI similiar to you. I was told that my BMI wasn't high enough for the surgery but I insisted on having a consultation with the surgeon and after speaking with him I was scheduled for the sleeve. I did also have HBP which helped my case. Insurance did cover the procedure. I am now 4 months post-op and feeling great. I have lost a total of 56 lbs. Sometimes I feel like the weight isn't coming off fast enough but my doctor says I am doing fine and losing accordingly. I wish you good luck on your journey.

Also, I wouldn't say there are less complications to occur when your BMI is low since I did experience some. But it was all worth it

Great thread everyone. I am a 32 BMI and scheduled for Aug 13.

I am curious how everyone is doing. How is the recovery? Are you still happy with your decision to get sleeved?

With having to lose less weight than the average sleever, are you happy with the size of your stomach? What size bougie did your surgeon use? Do you wish he woul dhave gone larger/smaller, or simply no opinion?

I am very excited but very nervous at the same time! Your thought and feedback is very appreciated!

Matt