Low BMI of 38 would you do the surgery or have you done the sleeve?

[ME123 39]

I'm 5'9", and I had a BMI of 35, I had 2 comorbidities, osteoarthritis in both knees and high cholesterol. I had this surgery in Oct and was going to go back to work after a week, but then Hurricane Sandy hit and I got another week off but I could have gone back to work in that first week and I am in Law Enforcement!!. This surgery was THE best thing I have ever done in my entire life. I didn't live my life I just existed, all my friends would go and do things that I loved to do but because of my weight I NEVER went. My marriage was going in the shitter because of my weight, I sat on the couch and did NOTHING. My husband is the happiest I have ever seen him, and trust me he did NOT want me to get this done, little did he know he had no choice. That is my honest Opinion, you need to make up your mind what is best for you! Good luck with your decision, you have alot of help here on this board.

According to my Doc, my BMI was 35, I know my ticker says 36, but my Doc said 35.

[kyllfalcon 768]

I had the surgery at age 59 with a BMI of 39. As the others have said, you must know and weigh the risks versus the benefits. And don't turn a blind eye that it could be YOU falling into that small percentage of complications.

Having said that, I would do it again tonight if I had to, and pay for it out of pocket. My procedure and recovery, like the majority, went without complication and I very quickly and easily reached goal. I did have lots and lots of comorbidities, not the least of which was just plain misery from carrying around all that weight.

I was just confessing to one of my employees this morning that I used to pretend to have to work late just to avoid walking to the parking garage with our group. I just couldn't keep up, and sure as heck couldn't carry on a conversation while walking, and I was ashamed for them to see me like that. Now, I can outwalk all of them, and I am anywhere from 11 to 23 years older than them, and one of them is a foot taller.

I took three weeks off, and I'm glad I did. I had frequent loose bowel movements that would have been very difficult to cope with in my particular work situation. That stopped about one day before I returned to work!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[kenai1 8]

My bmi was 35 with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and strong family history of diabetes. I weighed all my options and on 12/21/12 was sleeved. My surgery was super smooth. Had no pain, nausea and no gas pains. I started walking at the gym the next week and went back to work in two weeks. I don 't regret a minute. I've lost 42 pounds from the start of the journey and 23 from the date of surgery.

[kenai1 8]

Oh, forgot - I am 60.

[Mastiff_mama 171]

Oh' date=' forgot - I am 60.[/quote']

If I had a low bmi and no comorbiditis I'd not do it ....just my opinion! Maybe I shouldn't give my opinion a week out from surgery and struggling!

[MichiganChic 3,262]

Personally, I would not do it with low BMI and no comorbidities. It really depends on your tolerance for risk. In my case, I felt like the risk was worth it. Having gone through it, and having had a minor complication, it was pretty rough and made me realize how you can be that small percentage who gets a complication. I felt very lucky that I didn't get a serious complication like a leak, and I'm happy with my decision, but knowing what I do now, I would have made a different one if my circumstances were one of no weight related health issues.

[Sassygirl06 962]

I would do it all over again and again. You already answered whether or not you can do it on your own. My youngest was 7 when I had my surgery and 4 days after surgery I was able to take her to the park and play with her. We payed on our Timmy's drawing with chalk on the side walk. Everyone has different experiences and some people have complications, some have none. I can't say that it was all peaches and cream, but was it worth it? Hell yeah it was! I can do so many things I never imagined possible....heck, look at my profile picture....that's me ice skating! Not ever would I have been able to do that before....and my kids love that mom can keep up and do the same things as them now. I did this for my little ones especially...I will be here for them not only as a fun mom while they are growing up, but also for when then have major life events when they are grown! This mama is going to be around a long time now! Good luck with your decision!

[Colemon70 87]

I have a bmi of 40. No other issues (as of yet). Ive never been able to loose weight except being in horrible diet pills that make me feel like a drug addict. And even with that Id only loose 10 and gain 20. My whole entire life. I have a wonderful life besides being depressed about my weight. I don't see my friends often or go out often because I am embarrassed. I have wasted so much money on big ugly clothes. I don't want to try any new activities with my husband, who is very active. I don't do things I love because of my weight. So for me my quality of life is not what is should be and never has... Because of my weight. That's why I am choosing to have surgery and using it as a tool to get me where is like to be. I wish you luck in deciding what's best for you.

[NtvTxn 1,262]

BMI, 36 - barely. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I've loved every single minute of this adventure since I woke up after surgery. I had NOTHING wrong with me except I was fat. I wanted to love shopping, look nice in clothes and not be the biggest girl in the room. My father's sisters and his mom were all over weight, all but one over 300 lbs in their later years. I have cousins that NEED to do this on my dad's side of the family. I struggled to maintain 225. I've been to WW several times, popped pills, more often than I care to remember, seen a nutritionist, Medifast. All sucessful a little, for a little while. This is by far, without a doubt, the single best thing I've ever done for me. I wasn't unhappy before, but now.....wow. Not one second of buyer's remorse!

[iggychic 1,405]

I guess I never made it back Life has been crazy lately.

So I guess I just want to say this. Read Sannah's story (Leak is the thread title I believe). Her heart has been damaged because of complications. Yup she's lost weight, and lost a well functioning heart, her gallbladder may have to be removed and she's still having other issues.

My lungs are damaged which will take years to repair themselves. And as it turns out the leak damaged my stomach tissue so much that I may never get over being able to eat half a cup of food at a time. This means that I will have to take medically approved supplements to my calorie basis or I won't stop losing weight ever. I may never have the capacity to take in a balanced diet.

I didn't die, but was close. I had a full life, socially active, good friends, etc, I was just overweight. For this stupid surgery I nearly threw it all away. My son almost lost his mom. My husband his wife. Half a million in medical bills...no comorbidities, no risk factors, this was to be easy peasy.....I would not do this if you have no other issues. The risks are not worth the reward of wearing smaller jeans. Get off your butt and start moving. Think of what the options are....that's an easy fix in comparison to what others have to go through to live through this surgery.

[Colemon70 87]

Wow that is so scary!!

[@RealScoobyDoo 94]

Well, for what it's worth, I'm a BMI of 34.5, 50 years old and do not have comorbidities that qualified me through my insurance company. I refused to gain weight to qualify in the US for the self-pay option. I have some osteoarthritis but nothing else. Oh,and I have 4 little boys ages1, 2, 5&7 and am a stay at home mom. Like you I've lost lots many times and regained.

So I figured that if I didn't do something soon I wouldn't be around to meet my grand kids. I'm schedule March 29 and can't wait. But the thing about an elective surgery is that you elect to have it when the time is right. As far as it being right for you, that's between you and your doctor. And be able to make a decision with no waffling.

Best of luck to you in making yor decision.

Deborah

[Kristina J. 581]

The real answer here is that no one is going to be able to give you the answer. I am 5'1, I weighed in this morning at 254. That puts my BMI at 48. If I could get down to your BMI and no comorbidties, I'd be dancing for joy. I really wouldn't consider WLS at your size, especially not something permanent like the sleeve. But I understand the emotional pain of feeling too fat for the world around you and the desperation of not being able to do it on your own. But I know it's all a matter of perspective and our personal starting point. But please, please spend some time reading through the complications section of this forum before you make your decision. We need to know the risks we open ourselves up to, no matter how desperately we need this surgery.

[pankration 14]

I have a BMI of 35 and I am having the surgery. I have tried for years to lose weight and am unable to do it. I'm looking forward to the high possibility of not feeling hungry and craving food after surgery. I do, however, have diabetes and related complications.

[altagirl 127]

I started with a lower BMI - I had surgery to prevent what I could see as future health problems. I had no complications and have been very pleased with my decision. I am a nurse and see everyday complications to EVERY medical condition/surgery (part of my job involves risk management) - I carefully thought about the pros and cons of surgery vs trying to lose weight one more time on my own - it was the best decision for me. Everyone is different, but I had surgery on a Monday and was back to work on Friday. For me, a month off work would have been overkill. For me, I was uncomfortable but not in any pain for 2-3 weeks after surgery. It took me about 6-8 weeks before I was really adjusted to the new way of looking at food and eating.

I would HIGHLY recommend this surgery.