Self pay sleevers: BMI of 30 or close

[Tripletmom 18]

I am having the sleeve surgery with the self pay option because my BMI is too low for insurance to cover it. I am right at 30 BMI. Has anyone had the surgery who has a BMI of 30 or around there? If so, how quickly did you lose and what did you think of your results?

I can't wait to get sleeved, and am scheduling my surgery date today for the next few weeks.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[chickenlittle 0]

I had a BMI of 35 and I have lost 20lb. That sounds like OK weight loss but 18 lb came off right after the surgery. You get alot of judgement for getting the surgery with low BMI. It is a good way for me to hopefully end the YoYo dieting. I dont know if I would do it again. the weight loss so far has not been worth it.

[deedadumble 1,033]

I'm not sure I would call it judgement. A lot of response that low BMIers get is one of concern, especially from the vets. They are at a point where the reality has set in that after 6-9 months the initial restriction and hunger dampening effects lessen and they have to start working the sleeve. I'm just not sure if the benefit of losing 5 BMI points matches the risks and negatives of the sleeve, especially if you don't have any comorbities. Sure, the risks of surgery are lower with a lower BMI, but there are quite a few examples in the complications forum of low BMI patients with severe complications. Then you have the negatives of the surgery. You will never again be able to eat like you did before the surgery. One bite too many can send you into a wave of slimeys, foamies, and cold sweat. Getting all your Water in can seem like a full time job. Your hair will probably fall out for several months. You must take Vitamins every day. It's not as easy to socialize as it was before (so many activities surround food). I definitely don't regret the surgery, but I have days where I have twinges of regret. I would hope that if you're having surgery at any BMI that you go into with every piece of information that you can gather.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I have no regrets what so ever. Never. I don't have a problem eating and most certainly don't have any issue socializing because I'm sleeved. WLS is what you make it and I've made it my lifestyle. My new socializing is just eating like a normal human and not like a pig. No one even knows about my surgery and they don't even notice my smaller portions as being odd. I don't slime, foam or get sweats because I learned right off what I can and cannot do with my sleeve. My hair fell out for a few months, but I was prepared and not shocked. I don't take anymore Vitamins than I did pre-op.

Life is wonderful.. And my sleeve makes it even better LOVE MY SLEEVE!

[Tripletmom 18]

Thanks to you who responded with actual, personal help.

I am fully aware of all the pros and cons of the sleeve (and surgery in general) and will be sleeved soon. This tool will allow me to finally get control over my weight battles. Every choice has a down side. This is the tool I have chosen for me after careful thought and consideration.

Chickenlittle, I figured there would be some judgement. Ironic that those with high BMI's who have been judged all their lives, presumably, would choose to turn around judge someone who was not 'obese' enough. How silly.

[Tripletmom 18]

I have no regrets what so ever. Never. I don't have a problem eating and most certainly don't have any issue socializing because I'm sleeved. WLS is what you make it and I've made it my lifestyle. My new socializing is just eating like a normal human and not like a pig. No one even knows about my surgery and they don't even notice my smaller portions as being odd. I don't slime, foam or get sweats because I learned right off what I can and cannot do with my sleeve. My hair fell out for a few months, but I was prepared and not shocked. I don't take anymore Vitamins than I did pre-op.

Life is wonderful.. And my sleeve makes it even better LOVE MY SLEEVE!

Exactly what I thought. Thanks for your real life perspective. It is very helpful both to me and also to others doing similar searches.

Loved the eating like a normal human and not a pig line, LOL.

I'm counting down the days to my sleeve!

[No game 14,437]

I'm not sure I would call it judgement. A lot of response that low BMIers get is one of concern' date=' especially from the vets. They are at a point where the reality has set in that after 6-9 months the initial restriction and hunger dampening effects lessen and they have to start working the sleeve. I'm just not sure if the benefit of losing 5 BMI points matches the risks and negatives of the sleeve, especially if you don't have any comorbities. Sure, the risks of surgery are lower with a lower BMI, but there are quite a few examples in the complications forum of low BMI patients with severe complications. Then you have the negatives of the surgery. You will never again be able to eat like you did before the surgery. One bite too many can send you into a wave of slimeys, foamies, and cold sweat. Getting all your Water in can seem like a full time job. Your hair will probably fall out for several months. You must take Vitamins every day. It's not as easy to socialize as it was before (so many activities surround food). I definitely don't regret the surgery, but I have days where I have twinges of regret. I would hope that if you're having surgery at any BMI that you go into with every piece of information that you can gather.[/quote']

Deedee,

You must remember that a lot of people post here knowing what they want to hear.

[deedadumble 1,033]

Deedee' date='

You must remember that a lot of people post here knowing what they want to hear.[/quote']

It's not worth my time to respond to the OP.

I was just going to PM you to see how you were doing! Hope you had a good vacation. My DS is in Cali and I am missing him so much! Need to get your DS's Skype address so they can connect when he gets back. He said the camp at UCLA is even better than SCU.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Thanks to you who responded with actual' date=' personal help.

I am fully aware of all the pros and cons of the sleeve (and surgery in general) and will be sleeved soon. This tool will allow me to finally get control over my weight battles. Every choice has a down side. This is the tool I have chosen for me after careful thought and consideration.

Chickenlittle, I figured there would be some judgement. Ironic that those with high BMI's who have been judged all their lives, presumably, would choose to turn around judge someone who was not 'obese' enough. How silly.

[/quote']

I don't think disagreeing with someone's choice or offering very important details that may be glossed over and/or disregarded is judging.

I will never tell you what you want to hear, unless what you're wanting to hear is honesty.

[deedadumble 1,033]

I don't think disagreeing with someone's choice or offering very important details that may be glossed over and/or disregarded is judging.

I will never tell you what you want to hear' date=' unless what you're wanting to hear is honesty.[/quote']

Love your new profile pic! So pretty!

[stefaniwg 172]

My bmi was 33ish when I was sleeved 8 weeks ago. I previously had the lapband at a 40 bmi so I was fully aware of what I was getting myself into. I considered this to be a preventative surgery to me, instead of waiting until I had to do something about my weight and I was even more miserable than ever with a mile long list of co morbidities that I was just waiting to happen. I have since lost about 24 pounds and am at lowest weight i have been in over 10 years! I'm happy, socialize like always but now I eat to live instead of living to eat!

A 30 bmi still makes you obese so there shouldn't be any judgement but there will be. Not only from here but friends and family. This is your life and you only have one. If this is what you want to do. Do it and screw everyone else!

[dork 114]

I had always heard you had to be 100 pounds over weight. I was losing and gaining 60 pounds every 3 years or so. I wish I would've known about this at one of my low points to help continue losing and not gain it back. I've lost and gained probably 1000 lbs over my life time...I'm 55.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Deedee,

You must remember that a lot of people post here knowing what they want to hear.

Very true and hopefully they listen to the other side of things. Its an important factor when researching VGS.

There are pros and cons in the gamble of having WLS. No one knows how things will work out regarding the surgery procedure .. Regardless of BMI. Life is full of difficult choices and people have a million reasons why they choose what they do.

All I know is fat is fat and unhealthy is unhealthy and unhappy is unhappy and we're all after the same goal.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

Love your new profile pic! So pretty!

Thank you! I didn't have to twist myself into a pretzel to find a "flattering" angle either!!

[No game 14,437]

Thank you! I didn't have to twist myself into a pretzel to find a "flattering" angle either!!

Whatcha trying to say??? I didn't take like a million pictures at all different twisted angles to get my profile pic!!! Umm.... Ok I did