Low BMI and Gastric Sleeve

[sothere 15]

Hello - Well today i hit my 3 week mark. Things continue to go really well. I am honestly eating almost everything that is allowed in the 4-6 wk diet - in proper amounts. I have lost 18 lbs and couldn't be happier. I have had no issues. I feel good. I have energy. I am hydrating. I vomited one time - i gobbled down some chicken and potatoes. I think i had a moment of insanity - i inhaled like i used to and boom! But that was it! Super tool - i bet I don't do that again. I went to a party tonight - everyone complimented me on how fabulous I looked. Made me feel great! On to the next 3 weeks. Best decision I ever made!

[duncanb007 12]

I am 6'6" and when I booked in for the op has a bmi of 39.....I am 10 days preop today with a bmi of 37. I've started telling people what's going on. They all get it. I went to the dr for my annual checkup post Xmas. I had reached a tipping point. >150kgs (330lbs). High blood pressure, signs of insulin resistance, and high cholesterol.... I don't have bad knees, hips or back. But I wasn't sleeping well. (Snoring like a fright train.) those I've told get it. Those I haven't I don't really care.

[Jennicarn 11]

I am at a BMI of 35, 5'5 and just over 200 lbs. I have lost the same 60-80 lbs. almost 10 times over the past 20 years and am starting to develop hypertension. I am losing the battle a little more every time I gain it back.

I am getting a gastric sleeve 4/16, and have not told anyone outside my husband and teenage son that I am getting it. I know I need it but most people I know won't understand. I am a RN and husband is in the fitness industry, and in both places there is not a lot of support for surgery at the lower end of the obesity scale.

It helps a lot to see I am not crazy to want to do this now & not wait until I am heavier.

[Jewelgirl04 106]

Two things:

1) I only told a handful of people in my life to be perfectly honest. My parents and my kid sister, but that was a given because I'm in grad school and live at home. They were at the hospital with me the day of surgery and my mom took me home the next day. I did not tell my older half-brother who lives in Florida (whereas I'm in NJ) because he is not a supportive or understanding person and it's not his business what I do with my body. (Also, he's always on some ridiculous meathead diet and will claim he's lost 90 lbs, when he's clearly gained, so... whatever).

I also told maybe four of my closest girlfriends, who have been incredibly supportive. They called or texted me frequently while I was recovering, even sent flowers. I'm glad I have a few friends I can be open with about my journey.

I was out of school for nearly three weeks. I only planned on two, but then my sister brought home a virus from high school that ran rampant through my house and it took me out of commission for another week. But I told some of my classmates that the surgery wasn't anything life-threatening, but necessary. (I told the girls it was a lady issue and I needn't add any more!) Everyone has noticed a major difference though.

2) I work part time at Torrid, which is a plus sized women's clothing store that's fairly popular here in the US. During the holiday season, a pair of women came in to buy sweaters and said they were interested in items that could accommodate weight loss, such as stretchy sweaters and belted tops. They explained they'd recently had the sleeve and when I said I was having it the following month, one woman looked at me with a scowl and asked "Why?" The other whacked her on the arm and said "If she feels she needs this, then all the more power to her!"

It's honestly the first time I'd ever heard that when I talked to anyone about it. I was surprised at how many customers that came into my store had undergone the procedure!

The irony is that my surgeon said to me he wishes that people came to him when they were my age (24 when I saw him for the consultation) and my size (my BMI was 39.6, but I have PCOS so it was considered a comorbidity and was 36 the day of surgery.) Even the nurses and other doctors I saw as part of my pre-op insurance requirements (cardiologist, etc) told me that I was an excellent candidate for the surgery because I was not that big and in otherwise pretty okay health, so I should have a better recovery and better response overall. (Yay to little loose skin!)

Now, my BMI is just a hair over 32. I'm coming to terms with the slower weight loss compared to others with more to lose and I'm really enjoying cleaning out my closet of my old clothes.

[Nurse going to Mexico 11]

I have a BMI of just over 30. I really want the procedure but am not liking how my family is responding to my decision, I just don't want to wait till I have a BMI of 35+ to get it done. I wish I hadn't told anyone but my husband. Too late now

[dsmith_rn 186]

I'm a nurse also. Have you had a consultation already? Your BMI is not far from "normal". I can't imagine any doctor in the U.S. doing such a drastic procedure on someone with that low of a BMI. I was considered on the low-end when i had mine done one year ago today, and mine was 40. A year later, its now 27.8 which is slightly overweight. I'd like to lose 20 more pounds but I'd never have done it at A BMI of only 30, trust me it's a drastic, permanent change to your body.

I would do it again, but I am having problems with low iron/anemia even though I take an Iron supplement (with unpleasant side-effects). The sleeve, or any bariatric procedure, doesn't just make your stomach smaller, it also affects how your body digests and absorbs food. After the sleeve your body has reduced stomach acid and other changes that lead to reduced ability to absorb nutrients. It's something I deal with and I would do it again in a heartbeat as I was on meds for hypertension and hyperlipidemia and no longer deal with either one. But I NEVER had anemia before, my hemoglobin was always around 14. I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon in a couple of weeks to figure out how to deal with the anemia.

Just a word of caution. I understand not wanting to wait until you are morbidly obese to take action, but you're nowhere near that at this point. Good luck, whatever you decide! We're with you either way!

[Nurse going to Mexico 11]

I have about 50#'s to lose, and am hoping that after the surgery my knees and back will feel better and that my cholesterol will go down.

The requirement for surgery is a bmi of greater than 30. The requirement is higher for insurance to cover but self pay is 30+. Hopkins just did an article on the health benefits of doing the surgery on low BMI patients.

My thought is that even though this is a big surgery, people get other surgeries such as boob jobs and liposuction where they are just cosmetic and not offering any health benefit. This surgery will help my health in the long run.

I think that the low BMI sleeves will catch on, just right now it's still though of for people much larger.

I am very hopeful that I will be able to play with my grand kids and be more active, and in less pain after the surgery.

I was already approved for the surgery. In the US the requirement is also 30, just can't afford it here

[ThruChristICan 27]

Your situation is exactly what I'm currently dealing with, I have zero support from friends or family because they think I don't need it. They don't see the scale when I get on it, they don't know I'm pre diabetes and pre high cholesterol. My BMI IS 41 I've told them that I'm doing this from a healthier life stand point but they just don't get it. So now I've made up in my mind that I'm not telling them no more. I'm just gonna do it alone after all I'm doing it for me anyways. I'll try and get some of the support I need from these forums I guess.

[dsmith_rn 186]

Your situation is exactly what I'm currently dealing with, I have zero support from friends or family because they think I don't need it. They don't see the scale when I get on it, they don't know I'm pre diabetes and pre high cholesterol. My BMI IS 41 I've told them that I'm doing this from a healthier life stand point but they just don't get it. So now I've made up in my mind that I'm not telling them no more. I'm just gonna do it alone after all I'm doing it for me anyways. I'll try and get some of the support I need from these forums I guess.

It's nice to have the support of family and friends, but we don't all have that luxury. It can be done without them. I had very little support but would do it again in a heartbeat. One year later I'm a much healthier person and haven't felt this good in decades. Hang in there, you got this!

[AussieSam 234]

I agree that it's just not about the number on the scale but all the great health benefits that come from the surgery.

[nevadapinkprincess 60]

Thank you for this thread.. I have a relatively low bmi and hear the same things.. Shock that I qualify and that I don't look like I need it.. This thread is very reassuring.. Thank you

[alindsey 230]

I agree. Mine is 31-32 and I'm getting it done!! It's not about being morbidly obese it's about the constant roller coaster and gaining weight so easily and the unrealistic struggle to keep any weight you can loose off!!!!! I can kill myself loose 20 lbs only to gain it back over and over! The sleeve is a new way of life a way to break this pattern! I also didn't tell anyone bc I don't want to hear about how I can just eat right and loose weight lol. People are clueless

[tnkrrbl 53]

I'm 5'2" 188 BMI 33 -- pretty done being a 33 BMI for my whole life -- killer diets don't work to keep it off, I'm not a huge eater, I don't like veggies, I love meat and cheese... regular diets you won't loose eating that Protein.

I can also go all day -(BAD FOR ME) without eating, then I eat a salad for dinner, no weight loss.

So it seems that a lifestyle change for a non-eater is a good thing. WHY AM I FAT.. hmmm when I eat I eat too much.

So is it worth the $100/pound? as I'll probably lose 40 -50 pounds

[Nurse going to Mexico 11]

I wish I had found this site and read the posts before I told people about my surgery. Word will get around fast, and I really don't want to hear everyones opinion of my decision. It's my body=my decision. BMI of just over 30, but I feel so uncomfortable

[tnkrrbl 53]

YEP YEP YEP - nobody's business but mine.

I have told a few people.

Bottom line I'm over weight - wether I have given it 100% or not to lose weight of the past 30 years... it doesn't matter. Maybe I could have worked harder, exercised more, but I'd get frustrated and quit. I cant quit this time.