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Next week marks my 2 years surgiversary, and I am happy to report that I have kept the weight off! In these two years I have become a black belt in taekwondo, run many, many miles (you can see my running shorts tan line in the bikini photo!), bought bikinis for the first time, and had the confidence to change careers. I also moved recently to a new state. Nobody here knows me as anything but "thin." I have people remark that I don't have to worry about my weight and that is comes "easy" for me. They have no idea! And I am not going to tell them, because this is me now and I am loving my new life! Getting gastric sleeve surgery is the best gift I ever gave myself.

For sure the best time of day to workout is when you will do it! Most of the time if I wait until evenings, life happens and exercise often won't happen. So I do it in the mornings, even though I drag a little more.

I had it done in Mexico as I was too low of a BMI to get it done in the states. I paid about $4900 when it was all said and done. I had it done by Dr. Kelly in his clinic. To have it done by him in the hospital it would have been at least a couple thousand more. Looking back, I should have paid the extra and done it in a safer environment. I had no major complications (other than finding out I didn't react well to general anesthesia and threw up for a day and a half every single hour.), but I had the feeling that if some emergency came up, I could very well die there. I speak some Spanish, which was a lifesaver, since none of the nurses spoke a lick of English (I was in Mexico, after all, but I guess I expected at least a little bit of English since most are English speakers who get the surgery done!). So, yeah, not the sanest decision to have it done in a little clinic, but I came out ok, and it changed my life in such a drastic way that I would still do it all over for the amazing results! The cost included everything, the pick up at the San Diego airport to the clinic. The bloodwork, x-rays, etc, and the hotel stay for 3 nights (I stayed in the actual clinic 2 nights and the hotel for 3. They want you close in case of complications). I was desperate so I took a desperate measure. It took a while for my husband to be on board, but I did a lot of research and found who I thought was the best surgeon. I ended up hating the surgeon as a person, but he did great work!

Hello! I am visiting this board for the first time in quite a while, and I just came upon your post. I won't mince words or be apologetic for getting my surgery at such a "low" BMI (some can be judgy!). I was not quite a 30 bmi when I had my surgery (almost exactly 2 years ago). I had it done in Mexico. I had zero comorbidities. I got the surgery because I have always been very active, but struggled constantly with being overweight and binge eating. It cause a large amount of depression and anxiety. I was tired of dieting and not keeping it off. I was 37 years old with 3 young kids. Getting the surgery was the very best thing I have ever done for myself! It is two years later and I have kept the weight off. I also don't believe people need to wait until they are super obese with failing health to get the surgery. I was only getting older, continuing to gain weight, and I wasn't going to wait any longer! Since the surgery I have become a black belt in Taekwondo, run more miles than I can count, changed my career, moved to a different state, and made lots of friends who like to be active too. The weight loss has helped me in these things by either just plain being physically smaller (exercise) or moving and making new friends and starting a new career (confidence). I am a huge proponent of bariatric surgery, even at a "low" bmi. Good luck with your decision!

I went to Mexico for VSG. Did it work? Absolutely. Did I have complications? No. Would I recommend it to others? Nope. From first hand experience, I feel pretty strongly that things could easily go wrong, and the care I would have from potential complications was probably not like what I would get here. This is my observation and opinion, others might feel differently. I just know if I had a loved one ask me if they should go to Mexico and have it done, I would advise them not to do it. I am lucky it was fine for me. I couldn't afford it any other way.

People have strong opinions about this, but I will tell you my personal experience. I had a BMI of 29 and I had the surgery done almost a year and a half ago. I could not lose those 50 lbs, just like you mentioned. I remembered what it was like to live in a lighter body, and I was miserable every single day, battling my weight with yo-yo dieting. I was very active, but I couldn't seem to get my eating under control. I tried every diet, sought counseling, read self help books, meditated...everything. Finally, I felt I was at the end of my rope when I learned about the sleeve. I went to Mexico a month later and had it done. Now I feel so much healthier, it is so easy to exercise (and I love doing it!), I fit into a size 4, and I don't stress about food every second of the day. Yes, it is a challenge at first, but I would do it all over again. One of the best gifts I could ever give myself! So take from my story what you will, but I don't believe people need to wait until they are morbidly obese with comorbidities to benefit from the sleeve. Another great thing is that surgery was less risky and recovery was pretty breezy because I was in pretty decent health to begin with. Good luck with your decision!

I was BMI of 29 when I got my surgery in Mexico. I am a year and 4 months out, and it has been the biggest blessing. I am actually almost underweight now (I am 5'8.5" and average 125 lbs). I am extremely active. I just couldn't seem to lose those 50 lbs that were keeping me down physically and mentally. I was lucky and rarely stalled, probably because I was active very soon after surgery. Anyway, most people don't know I got it, because I know they would judge me harshly. I don't regret it for a second! Good luck to all of you with upcoming surgeries!

It's been a year!!! I can't believe how fast this time has passed. I started out low bmi (height 5'8.5", starting weight: 190 lbs.) I was always physically active, but my access weight was really holding me back from excelling at all I wanted to do and be as well as causing me great anxiety. I have three young kids, and the day of surgery I woke up and thought, what am I doing?!!! Once it was done, there was no turning back, so I ate what I was supposed to, walked all the time from the get go, and came to this forum for support! This year has been one of the most amazing years of my life. As the weight melted off, I was able to be even more active, and the more active I became, the weight continued to come off. It was a cycle of health! My goal weight was 140, which I hit around 5 or 6 months post surgery. I hit my current weight about 8 months post surgery. I am now on the cusp of being underweight (124 lbs, I am guessing because I am so active), but I feel amazing! I have never felt so healthy. I do taekwondo twice a week and run a ton (this week I ran a total of 34 miles). I eat when I am hungry and stop when I am full. I still love food, but it just doesn't have the pull it used to have. It doesn't hold my thoughts hostage anymore! My husband is stoked, clothes are so fun to shop for and wear (I went from a size 14/16 to a size 2/4). I wore a bikini for the first time ever this summer! I am not self conscious to meet new people, and I don't have to pull my shirt out of my belly fat when I sit down anymore. Having gastric sleeve surgery is the greatest gift I ever gave myself!

I have zero regrets! I would do this over again if I had to. It is such a life changer! My suggestion would just be to follow your surgeon's post op plan! And when it sucks right after surgery, it will get better! That first month is kind of rough even more mentally than physically. It is normal. Come to this forum often for support! Good luck. You look amazing! Great progress! I love seeing such awesome results!

40 lbs is a lot of weight to lose in two months. I know it is easy to just want to be done, but just take it one day at a time. Everyone always says this is a marathon, not a sprint, and it is true. Just look at lots of before photos, try on your old clothes that are too big for you, and appreciate where you are headed!

Great job! And you are right, you might keep losing. Really, our goals are somewhat arbitrary. Our bodies don't know we want them to stop at a certain weight! I kept losing after my goal, but that's ok. It is nice to have a buffer. I have read that for many people, their bodies regain a few lbs a year or two after surgery, so I am just enjoying being light and running like a friggin' cheetah with my new body!

Great job! You look beautiful! You carry 199 off like a champ, too! I am 5'9" and didn't look like that until I was around 160 lbs!

I have tried all sorts of different things, but I probably like sleep aid pills with the main ingredient being diphenhydramine the best. That ingredient is usually found in Benedryl and Nyquil to help with sleep. It helps with sleep but doesn't make me dead to the world. You can even buy them in bulk at costco I hear. I found some at the 99 Cent store!

No, but hear me out. I have always been attracted to skinny guys. Even having been overweight myself in the past, I just really like very tall, skinny guys. I wouldn't go for a buff guy either. I don't care for all those huge muscles. I married a guy who is 6'2" and about 170 lbs.

You are only a week post op, so yes. I felt gas pain for quite a while after surgery.

Repeat after me, "It will get better. It will get better. It will get better." You are in the thick of it right now. I regretted my surgery right afterwards and pined after a big plate of nachos. Almost a year out and I am in the best health of my life. It will get better.

Yep, I had surgery in Mexico at a bmi of 29. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. I am 5'8.5", and started at 190 lbs. It has been 10 months, and I am now just barely barely barely in the normal bmi range. I think if I lose less than a lb I am considered underweight. And I have been within a lb or two of my current weight for about 4 months. I am 123 lbs now. I ran 8 miles a couple of days ago and average about 27 miles a week. I do taekwondo twice a week. I look awesome in clothes, and can wear a swimsuit without a coverup for the first time in 13 years. I am so active because it is so easy and fun to move my body that it is a pleasure to push it! For the first time in my life I exercise because it makes me feel good, not to lose weight. So I am kind of skinny and some might say too skinny, but I would take it a million times over being overweight before, and the everyday mental battle was sooooo hard. Anyway, I am babbling. But I highly recommend it!

Mu surgeon said somewhere like 2 or 3 weeks post op.

There is no way I was eating 1000 calories only being 5 or 6 weeks out. 600 was probably my average at that point. I wouldn't panic. You will feel hungry eventually and you will look back in awe and wonder when you could only get in 300-500 like you are now. As long as you are getting your Protein in first, there is no reason to eat more than you feel like. Almost impossible at your stage anyway.

With a BMI of 33 and the comorbidities you mentioned, I would absolutely do it. You said insurance will cover it 100%? Go for it! Best decision I have made for my health ever.

That is amazing! Good job! I fit into a size 4 recently, and I have naturally big hips, or so I thought. I felt like I was in some alternate universe. It's pretty cool, right?! Keep up the good work!

I am finally getting around to posting my progress/final goal pics! I had a hard time finding a photo of me at my heaviest, but I dug one up from last August. Starting weight=190, Current weight=136, Height= 5ft 8.5 inches. Loving my sleeve! One of the best decisions of my life.

I am able to drink more fluids using a straw, so I do. Nobody ever told me not to, and it wasn't until this forum that I even knew it was a thing not to.

I understand. It is a big decision when you are not super high BMI. I was very torn too. Best wishes on your journey! edited for spelling.

Well, I only had 40-50 lbs to lose with ZERO comorbidities. And I went to Mexico to have surgery. So I am one of the people you are referring to. I am not anorexic. No eating disorders. I just want to say, everyone has a story, so while you hate when people are uninformed and judgy regarding your surgery, you are being the same towards mine. I had anxiety and depression from being overweight (although I wasn't obese, so is that ok?). I yo-yo dieted all the time and was only getting older and more overweight. I was on a slippery slope and decided to nip this in the bud and get the surgery before I was morbidly obese with comorbidities. Since surgery I have had zero depression and anxiety. I am in the best shape of my life, workout all the time because it is now easy to, and eat healthier than ever. So judge away and think you have all the answers about who should be getting surgery, but you don't know. You just don't. It literally saved my sanity.