Starting with Low BMI

[mrsv825 0]

So I feel a little guilty for doing surgery. My BMi has never been higher than 33 and I will probably be right under right before surgery. I'm just tired of the yo yo diets and I haven't been able to get this "healthy lifestyle" started on my own. I want to do surgery before my BMI gets even higher and while I am still young. My biggest worry is not doing it now and waiting until I am even bigger, wishing I had done it sooner. I am schedule on 8/4/10

[mp8btpc 33]

I too have a lower bmi and understand completely what your going through and how you feel. The losing and gaining of the same twenty or so pounds and never breaking lower then a certain weight before I just give up on it . is so frustrating and the fear of giving up on the yoyo dieting and then ending up even bigger and accumulating some health problems. Don't feel bad for taking this step most people who have had it done probably wish they would have done it sooner.

[SParkle 4]

I can second that.... my highest BMI was 40, but I had the op when it was 35.8, and it now 32.8. I've yoyo'd all my life, and was fed up with the regaining and all the hard work I put in....

If the surgery had existed years back and I had been able to afford it then I would have done so....

Good luck with your op

Kathy

[MINI-Me 196]

There is a special term for us with lower BMI - we are called "lightweights". I ha surgery with a BMI of 32.8. My surgeon even called me skinny. Let me assure you, I've never been anywhere near skinny in my entire life. I even started out large - over 10 pounds at birth!

Never feel ashamed of taking care of yourself. We all have our reasons for this surgery and they are valid for us. This is the best gift I've ever given myself. I am so close to goal in only 5 months - I feel like I have my life back!

[emilygrace 5]

Got to say, I don't know that I'd risk the surgery at a BMI of 32-33 unless I had serious comorbidities.. risk v reward. But each to their own. If it's right for you, and your doctor agrees, go for it.

[kbl 3]

I also am considered a lightweight. I have BMI of 31.8-32 (think i have gain some weight). I plan of having the sleeve. August was my plan sleeve date.... but life has a way of changing things up..... so I do not know yet the timing but look forward to being on the looser's bench. Good luck.... I know even as a lightweight... obese is obese. Just look forward to being at a healthy weight. kelly

[Lori21769 14]

My insurance won't even consider someone for any bariatric surgery that is not at least 35 bmi.

[MINI-Me 196]

I understand the hesitancy of "lower" BMI, but anything over 29.9 is considered obese and obesity is a killer (either now or in the future). The number of 35 + comorbidities and 40+ without is simply an insurance standard. It doesn't mean that they are magic numbers. You have to do what is right for you - and sometimes that means finding a way to pay for it instead of insurance (by the way, my insurance won't pay for any bariatric surgery so I would be self-pay no matter what).

I had a family history of obesity and have fought it all my life. The yo-yo dieting and the stress on my body with gaining and losing over the years was a greater risk than making a permanent decision to conquer obesity. Why wait a few years to hit some magic number?

The writing was on the wall & I didn't like what it said. Fortunately, several surgeons agreed. In fact, every surgeon I talked with said that I was an ideal candidate. I just chose the one I liked the best & dove in.

I figured the cost out of my pocket was well worth the investment in my life. Plus, think of all the diet gimmicks I will no longer have to buy or the huge meal costs. I truly feel like I have my life back & I am enjoying being in my own skin again.

Good luck with your decision.

[Papillon 7]

Thanks so much for sharing your story mini.. I am at the 35BMI and I have had the same thoughts... I am so tired of feeling guilty and depressed. I do my best to make healthy choices and work out. I honestly believe this surgery will give me the added tool(s) to make a life change. I have my last weigh in July 1st. Then it is off to get approval.. I am hoping for an August surgery.

[MINI-Me 196]

Thanks so much for sharing your story mini.. I am at the 35BMI and I have had the same thoughts... I am so tired of feeling guilty and depressed. I do my best to make healthy choices and work out. I honestly believe this surgery will give me the added tool(s) to make a life change. I have my last weigh in July 1st. Then it is off to get approval.. I am hoping for an August surgery.

First of all ... good luck with your final weigh in and getting a date scheduled.

Second ... glad to help. People on here were so wonderful to me when I was doing my research. Glad to know that I'm helping others as well. Plus, staying active on here keeps me accountable and moving forward.

We are all such LOSERS! :thumbup1:

[wannalise 16]

I was not a "lightweight" but if I could have prevented the years of feeling exhausted, risking my health, and feeling out of control when it came to my eating habits I would have been all over it. This surgery when used correctly, can really enrich your life. I realize new things everyday about myself. Including realizing all of the ways I allowed being overweight to negatively affect me. Whether it is through surgery or other means I respect anyone who is wanting to improve their quality of life. Good luck!

[mp8btpc 33]

I was not a "lightweight" but if I could have prevented the years of feeling exhausted, risking my health, and feeling out of control when it came to my eating habits I would have been all over it. This surgery when used correctly, can really enrich your life. I realize new things everyday about myself. Including realizing all of the ways I allowed being overweight to negatively affect me. Whether it is through surgery or other means I respect anyone who is wanting to improve their quality of life. Good luck!

Thank you for that. I appreciate it so much. I go for surgery tomorrow and am a little sensitive of the "NOT FAT ENOUGH" mentality that I have gotten several times around here. Obese is Obese and it is hard either way to lose the weight and keep it off. Obese is just the stage you go through before you hit Morbidly Obese and all the fun things that can come with it. Insurance companies wont consider paying for it as a MEDICAL need but it has been deemed safe for those who can pay for it that are lighter.

Prayers for tomorrow.:thumbup1:

[MlkPas 5]

I'm another lightweight and I echo everything Mini-Me said. My weight never caused many physical problems, but it made me absolutely miserable for my whole life. I was constantly obsessed with my weight, constantly yo-yo dieting, never the same size clothes for more than a few months -- ugh. It was awful. I don't have one single regret about having the surgery, and I bet you won't, either!

Good luck tomorrow!!

[stcyt 15]

I think the Sleeve is a great option for low BMI. I started at 30.1. To tell you the truth... the sleeve is more about fixing my head than my body (thats not to say I dont really really want to loose weight). I have yo yoed my whole life... and my whole life I have been obsessed with weight loss and diets.

I posted a "freak out" thread today under general sleeve discussion. I have these freak outs about every 2 weeks.... I'm not loosing fast enough... I'll never be thin.... this will fail like everything else.... I need to go on a "diet" etc...

Now... I used to have these freak outs 2 or 3 times a day... they ruled my life...I was miserable.

Most days I work on "letting go" and letting the sleeve do its work. I find it a much better way to live.

Good luck.... there's lots of us lightweights out here.

[MINI-Me 196]

I watch another site, but post more on here. They have a "Lightweight Forum" just for those who are just a little bit obese (said very sarcastically :willy_nilly:) ...

]Repost of the Lightweight Creed_June 20, 2010

This is their creed:

The Lightweight Creed

(Created and approved by members of the OH Lightweights Forum, Jan 2008)

I am a Lightweight. I am only one of many others like me. Together, we are a team. Though our journeys and choices may be different, we are bonded together by the commonality of being Lightweights and the strategies, successes and struggles that entails. It is this bond that defines this board.

I began my journey with a BMI of less than 45 and/or with less than 150 lbs excess weight. My lower BMI and excess weight does in no way make me less deserving of medical intervention, and I should not be made to feel inferior or guilty.

I qualified for WLS because I have co-morbidities, or because my medical history proves that my weight is diet and exercise resistant.

I have worked with my healthcare team to determine the best surgical option for me. I am confident that others have done so as well, so I will refrain from passing judgments.

I will freely share the most accurate information I have, as well as my own personal journey and why I chose my surgery in an informative, educational and respectful way so that others may learn from my experiences.

I respect the decisions of my fellow Lightweights, regardless of the surgery they chose and the nutritional/exercise plans they follow.

I will always promote health and a healthy lifestyle, whether physical or mental; and will respect alternate methods and views toward achieving good health, even if I do not espouse them personally.

I will always be sensitive, honest and respectful when contributing to discussions on this board and in my PMs. I will never flame, demean, invalidate or harass others for their questions or decisions. I will remember, at all times, the difficulties and pain I went through on my own journey and be considerate of others when discussing theirs.

I will always defend and unite with my fellow Lightweights against prejudice and hostility.

I understand it is my responsibility to report offensive conduct to my fellow Lightweights, so that we may deal with offending parties as a united front to preserve the supportive and tolerant atmosphere of our board.

I understand that if my conduct becomes offensive, I will not be welcome to participate on this board any longer.