33 BMI and scheduled for VG...

[iggychic 1,405]

Peace, I hope you are recovering well. Good luck to you.

Love...you know what? You make a very fair case. I was tired last night and when tired often make blanket statements Pun intended heh heh If I were the insurance agency in your world I'd accept your back up documentation of life long struggles and your family history and I'd make the approval. Partly because I read reality and total logic in your case, not statements like "killing myself with poison" type stuff, which is justification that's not valid (I know cuz I made them LOL)

You're right, my family is fat and happy and we live far longer than anyone else wants us to 100 is an expected age for us to achieve, not an abnormal one. Probably part of the reason I felt so confident going into surgery. You just can't kill us easily! (and while they tried, it didn't work). For people who have never maintained a healthy weight in their life and have shortened life outcomes to face it is a fair option, but if I was king of insurance and boss of the surgeons, I'd sure as heck make those folks prove this, and show their efforts prior to having the surgery. I definitely wouldn't have let me have it. But you...you are going into it with a much better head on your shoulders!

Will you invite me to your 100th party?

[funinthesun00 157]

Iggy,

Consider yourself invited to my big 100! Sounds like you will still be around then too!

Too bad you aren't in charge of my insurance. There is an exclusion for wls, but I wouldn't qualify anyway. I am going to Alvarez. I feel really good about him as a surgeon. I searched everywhere for negative reviews, but I couldn't find any. I have talked on the phone with a couple of people that used him and met in person with one. All only have glowing things to say. I know there are certainly no guaruntees, but it puts me a little more at ease. Don't want to get even more off topic.

Good luck to the OP!

[Didit12262012 17]

Iggy,

First, I want to let you know I have read your story and I am so sorry about what you have gone through. I truly feel for you. No one should have to endure what you have, especially with a young child who obviously needs you so much. I can completely understand why you feel the way you do aboout this surgery for "lower" bmi people with no co-morbidities.

My bmi will likely be 32 or 33 by the time of surgery on January 18th (any prayers for me are appreciated ). However, my bmi had gotten up to 37.5 just this summer. I am short at 5'2" and I found myself at 205 lbs. In the spring of 2012 I seemed to have been holding study between 190-195, so I was shocked and discouraged to be in the 200s. I am currently at 180. I have been working very hard to lose weight on my own since September. I just want to let you know my story. Like most of us on here, I have stuggled with my weight for a very long time (25+ years) -- all of my adult life and some of my childhood. From what I have read of your story, your weight battle was relatively new. In the last 10 years I have lost a significant amount of weight three times only to put it all back on and more. I really try to keep it off, but over time, I lose the intensity I had when losing and it rapidly creeps back on. It is like I'm in denial during these times.

When reading your story, I was envious of the longevity your family has. I am not so lucky. My father died at 69. He was short and built just like me. He also did lots of yo-yo dieting. He was obese, but i don't think he was morbidly obese. He had lots of heart problems. I have no memory of my aunt ever being able to walk. I only remember her being bound to a scooter because of her obesity. She passed away in her early 70s. I even had a cousin who passed away in her 50s of cancer who happened to be morbidly obese. My weight was/is really starting to scare me. I had avoided going to the doctor becuase I didn't want to hear that I was pre-diabetic or that I had high blood pressure or high cholesteral. I avoided the doctor for over 3 years. Finally, I went weighing in at 199 and I couldn't believe it -- I had a clean bill of health. All of my lab work came back good. My doctor did tell me my bmi and talked about the importance of losing some weight. I honestly felt like I had dodged a bullet. I think that maybe the fact that I get lots of exercise really helped!

It's funny because I would be lying to you if I said I didn't want to look good in skinny jeans. Of course I am excited about the prospect of looking better in (and out of) clothes. However, this is NOT my primary motivation. 10 years ago, it would have been, but my focus has really shifted from that time. My husband (who's family's longevity is similar to yours) and I have actually discussed the fact that he is likely to out live me. He is at a healthy weight. I want more than anything to be around and know my own grandchildren -- something my own father wasn't able to do.

Also, my mother, who is very protective of me, is actually for me doing this. She confided in me that whenever I am dieting she is really nervous because I always end up heavier than when I started. She is a very conservative person and I was shocked that she is supporting me in doing this. She never had a weight problem until she was in her 40s and warned me that losing weight and keeping it off is more difficult the older you get. I am in my early 40s.

Anyway, that is a glimpse of my reasoning for having this surgery. It's funny because I agree with you, that this surgery shouldn't be done just for cosmetic reasons. I also think if you haven't really attempted losing on your own, this surgery is very premature. About 5 years ago, I was seriously considering the lapband, but I kept reading about all the complications resulting from it and ultimately decided against it. I know there are risks to this surgery. Your story makes that very clear. This decision has not been an easy one for me, but I truly feel it is the right decision for me, even though my bmi is "low" at this point in time. I am very thankful that this surgery is an option for me.

Thank you for continuing to share your story. I think it is important that people understand the good and bad of this surgery. Everyone needs to be aware of the risks. I am so glad your are doing better now!

Lovetennis - thanks for contributing... my story is a lot like yours, and just to touch on the killing myself slowly with all the little things... I meant diet pills, supplements, shots, etc, etc... etc... NOT twinkies.

I respect everyones opinions and as much as we share here - I think only "we" truly know all the rigor we have put ourselves through only to have another failed attempt and a larger weight gain.

Many prayers for all on this site - I respect each and every one of you.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Minority opinion here, I wouldn't do it if I had such a low BMI

Let me say that I LOVE my sleeve, I had surgery same place as Iggy and had wonderful care,no complications and excellent, life changing, couldh't have dreamed for better results! the point is that complications can happen anywhere. If you have complications, recovery from them SUCK. Iggy tells a scary story, and there are plenty more like them just like that. We all think it won't happen to us, but it could.

The surgery needs to really be worth it. The odds are very low that you will die or have a major complication, but it COULD happen. It needs to be worth it.

I was a 52 BMI, was having health issues and worst of all - a very decreased quality of life. for me, those risks were worth it. If I had been unlucky enough have complications, it would still have been worth it because I was on a slow march to dying to young with a side trip through disability... Now, woohoo, I feel young, energetic - wonderful - I wear a size 10 now - I am far from petite but I am normal and I am loving it. Even if I never lose another pound, it was worth it (I am actually still losing; lost over 130# in a year)

[pania 22]

I was very worried too because I have a bmi of 35 and weigh 200.. My surgery date is Jan 5 th

Go for it

I wish you the best of luck. I am a low Bmi 32. I weigh 190 right now lost 10 pounds pre op I go for surgery jan3 In Mexico. Maybe we can be each other sleeve buddies and help each other afterwards.

[pania 22]

I started at 188 too (bmi 32). No regrets at all. Good luck!!

How are you doing today. What is your weight loss

[Carrie's Journey 130]

How are you doing today. What is your weight loss

I'm good...148 today, goal (according to dr) is 125-130 but I'd be happy to maintain in the 130s. I can't believe I'm a size 8 from 16/18.

[kfuller716 6]

I'm 20 and getting in done the 10th of January!

[meeganlee 33]

I was 34 BMI with moderate to severe sleep apnea. I had to gain 3.3 pounds to qualify for surgery. I had the surgery on 12/17, and am very surprised that I don't feel worse. I'm really looking forward to using this window of time (6 months to 18 months) to set the habits I can keep for a lifetime.

This is the biggest tool I have ever used, and, so far, it feels like it is working great for me. Best of luck to you all!

[ReduceReuseRecycle-Me! 119]

After all is said and done, weight loss is hard no matter what, right? And it is sooo subjective. I weigh 251 right now and I wish I weighed 190! When I weighed 180 I felt overweight, yes, but I was doing OK. I would never consider having the surgery. But, now, even if I got back down to 180 on my own, I would have the surgery because I have seen the future. I never thought I could weigh 250+ but it can happen to all of us, even if you think it won't, and I got that way, eating enough to feed a small Ethiopian village. If I had the surgery then, I couldn't have done that, so maybe I would have learned earlier how to be happier with less.

I have my surgery the 27th...good luck to all of us!

[ortega07 59]

Go for it! Reason being you may have a low bmi but why struggle like you have been when you can do something proactive about it. I was 170 at one point and now I'm 240 scheduled same day as you! Good luck

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[altagirl 127]

I had this surgery to avoid the health issues I could see coming my way. I am very happy with my decision to have the sleeve. My recovery was very easy -

[Kapoorvilla 117]

My answer isn't going to be the popular one.....I personally would not have the surgery. Recently there have been people with horrific outcomes. Probably because the surgery is becoming more popular' date=' so stats go higher. There is no guarantee that everything will go ok, there just isn't.

I needed to lose 100 pounds and had severe health issues. The weight was making my health worse and it was a Catch-22. I was ok with knowing that things could go wrong because my life sucked pre-surgery.

But please know that I don't walk in your shoes. Nobody does but you. It could be life changing for you, and if you decide to have the surgery, then I hope it is. Just make sure you weigh all the pros and cons beforehand.[/quote']

I agree whole heartily with this post. I was suppose to breeze through this surgery with no issues yet a small bowel was cut and I am left to deal with the knowledge that a surgery I chose to have almost took me away right as my daughter is moving in to teenage years and needs me most. I am thankful for my outcome of being alive however if I had the desision to make over again I would not risk it. I was told I was very low risk I thought I would be fine but the truth is no one can tell you what is going to happen when you have a surgery. Mistakes happen, complications happen! My surgery was here in the USA. My doctor was the chief surgeon.

Just look at all the risk as real because they are real then decide if your willing to take that chance with your life.

[doxieville 799]

While I wholeheartedly agree that everyone should be able to have this surgery for whatever reason, my concern/question is the future. We've heard over and over again that a few years out if people haven't relearned how to eat and live a healthier life, then the weight comes back. We've read on here that the sleeve is a tool to teach us how to eat, but that it's restriction and feedback isn't permanent. So if you start with a low BMI and don't have much too lose, will this surgery still help them in the long run? Honestly, I hope it does. If I had been told in my 20's that this surgery could prevent 30 years of yo-yo dieting and unhealthy living, then yes, I'd get the surgery even w a low BMI. But from the research I've done and stories that I've read on here, that's just not the case. But, I am not judging anyone. Please know that. I am just suggesting a different viewpoint.

[Skyjack1 105]

I was a 31 BMI I also made my mind up and in the next week I was on a plane to Mexico and never looked back. I had no complications. I was out sightseeing and shopping 2 days later with no pain. I eat like a totally normal person now. The portions people are suppose to eat. I have only lost about 35-40 lbs since August but I also haven't worked out or changed my diet and i still drink alcohol. I just eat less. I plan to lose that extra 25 before summer and get on my exercise program after the new year. Good luck to you it's the best thing Ive ever spent my money on.