Not big enough for WLS?

[I will what I want 271]

I am 5' 5" and I was 210 at the beginning. I worried I wouldn't qualify either, and had to make sure my BMI stayed at a 35. I was a tight size 16, and I hated it. 1X tops were getting tight. My "muffin top" was more like a bundt cake. I had high bp, high cholesterol, high blood sugars, asthma, OSA, atrial fibrillation--you name it. People told me I didn't need it, but I went with my gut (quite literally, actually) hoping it would improve my health, and it DID! Every one of the issues I mentioned are gone. I am still diabetic (as I have auto-immune diabetes), but my blood sugars are a breeze to control. And I don't hate looking in the mirror anymore to boot. All those people who said I wasn't big enough for surgery are amazed at how I look now. And I am so thankful I had supportive doctors who said the surgery was worth a try. For now, it has virtually halted my litany of auto-immune "syndromes" that seemingly had no cause and no cure. Best decision of my life.

Wow! I have Autoimmune issues as well,

Didn't even cross my mind WLS might help! Thanks for that piece of info.

[I will what I want 271]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences with me. It makes a huge difference knowing that others have traveled this path and are happier and healthier for it. Also...you all are hilarious. I burst out laughing more than once reading this thread.

I think after so many years of criticism about my weight I was half expecting people

to line up to drive me to the hospital! So their shocked reactions caught me off guard. I'm in mental health so my friends are trained to be supportive, so I'm lucky that way - but people are people and get shocked and scared just like everyone else. It also drives home the point of whom I'm telling. I usually am an open book - but if it's this challenging to tell supportive people, I'm not even going to bother with the in-betweens.

Again, thanks everyone for your insight. Next Nut appointment in an hour. Let's do this!

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I'm 5'4" and have a BMI of 35.6 (or something like that)... barely qualified. The only comorbidities I have are apnea and GERD. I've gotten that comment a couple of times, too and I just said "I'm at the weight where I qualified for insurance coverage".

My concern is more about the future -- I am trending every year to gaining weight and I every time I have blood work I hold my breath worrying about high cholesterol or diabetes. Every time they do a blood pressure on me, I worry about what numbers might pop up. I'm doing this to give me long-term health.

Stay tough and let's march on!

[Menelly 56]

Some of you make a really good point on "what will pop up". I'm lucky enough to still be relatively healthy for my high BMI. (40). I don't have many of the comorbidities that happen with high weight. That said: Why should I wait until I'm diabetic with high blood pressure and other assorted issues before I take control of my health? Why not start now, because I can, because I want to? No one tells someone to wait till they're even more unhealthy to diet and exercise, so why is this tool different?

[kimk1999 450]

I definitely hear you. I just haven't told anyone and still barely anyone knows about my surgery.

I'm 5' 4". Highest weight was 214. When I saw my surgeon I was 208. After preop diet, on surgery day I was 202. Talk about second guessing big time. My 208 value qualified me to keep the insurance paying due to my high cholesterol.

I had been trying to get pregnant for well over a year. Doc ran tons of different tests and everything was normal. Only thing that my doc thought was due to me being overweight and that was stopping me. I tried and tried to lose weight but it was barely budging.

Surgery was Dec 16, 2013. I'm now down to 160! I would do it again. I've lost weight plenty of times but I love the reminder to not eat bad food or too much food. I have the band.

[lilijo 187]

It's such a difficult decision to make, but it's your decision to make. I heard the "you're not big enough" line from everyone, but they didn't see me naked! I was on the small side with a bmi of 34.8, but getting bigger every year. I'm 65 years old, 5'1" and weighed in at 184. 7 months later, I weigh 135 and my bmi is 25.5. I thank God everyday for this wonderful gift that has made me a healthier and happier person. Good luck to you.

[Lorainsatx 31]

After months of tormenting myself over making a decision I finally decided to move ahead with VSG. Everyone is supportive. I just started telling the friends I trust and while they are supportive and encouraging, they also respond with "but you're not that big!" I'm tall so it's easy to hide my 240 pounds but really, I wear a size 3x and I'm sick of it. My BMI is just over 35 but I have severe sleep apnea so my insurance will cover it and I qualify. My OSA is so bad that my machine is at such a high pressure I have to tape my mouth shut with medical tape. I am moving forward and my friends are supportive, especially after I tell them how much I weigh and the sleep apnea part, but it's weird because I've always heard how big I am, now I'm too small? I am trying to be rational about this....the benefits outweigh risks etc etc. I guess I was surprised at how shocked they were that I'd go the WLS route. I would love some reassurance from people who have similar stats to me - or know people who do - that at the end of the day they are happy with WLS. I also have to admit to that part of my thinking that says maybe if I just try one more time.......(like that will ever work). Again, my friends and family are supportive. It's just their shocked reaction that's got me...

weekend maybe if we had another dog we have food

I have a BMI of 36..... Many have told me that I am not big enough for WLS. I have also told myself.... If you just try harder.... If you just eat a little less.... If you just give up that glass of wine after work.... Really!!!! I know in my heart I have tried everything. Every diet, every weight loss fad.... Even HCG. Nothing worked long term for me. So here I am, 5'4"..... 212 lbs and ready to reclaim my good health. Surgery ( sleeve June 10th).

[Lorainsatx 31]

Not sure where that first line came from????

[I will what I want 271]

Not sure where that first line came from????

Lol. Sounds like you are going to eat a dog. Don't think that allowed on .any. Post- op plan. :-). ...I notice wierd bugs on the iPhone app of that's what you are using.

Good luck on surgery! I'm still jumping through hoops and I understand why, so it's all good! keep us posted!

[Sharpie 3,306]

I am 5'-0 on a good day. I weighed 198.8 when I went in for surgery.. I had the nurse who was escorting me to surgery say wow they must be lowering the standards for weight loss surgery . You don't look like you need it. I said well I weight almost 200 lbs and I am tired of being fat. I also have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure but maybe I should have waited til I couldn't walk or have a heart attack before I did this. she didn't say another word. It's none of their business and if your insurance and dr. says yes that is all you need.

[Tina1029 2]

I was told that I was too tiny for the surgery by one of the "prep" nurses the day of surgery. You are not having the surgery for anyone but you. So listen to your inner voice - not others!

I was 212 and 5' 5 1/2" the day of surgery...BMI 34.5. I was 238 when I started the program...my insurance required that I was on a weight loss plan for 6 months. I did say I was a little shorter than I am so that my BMI would be a little higher and my insurance would cover it. Oh well....

I did lose approximately 70 pounds several years ago when I was running for exercise. I tore both my ACLs in two different accidents and couldn't run any more. The weight crept back until I was very unhappy.

..... I am one week post-op and looking forward to a whole different outlook on life.

[tammie30 43]

Well hello, I'm tammie. I'm 5'1 247 lbs bmi of 46.7 ... Yikes I qualify for the surgery and I'm done with all these appts I just have my surgeon appt the 4tf hopefully I'll get a surgery date.. I have hypertension, chronic joint pains specially my back and my ankles ... Triglycerides ( high ) pre diabetic.. So it's all there and in the mix. I'm from NY Health First is my insurance .. Super nervous .. Anyone has encouraging words for me ? All I can think about is being approved ..

[Heather B 10]

I have to admit I am guility of thinking (while I have been at the info meetings or followups or even reading posts)-- why are they having surgery? I always thought it is all a lot to go through if you have 100lbs to lose since you will liekly max out losing 60-70% of your excess body weight. I was over 570 at one point and 60-70 does not seem to be enough to warrant having surgery, especially RNY. It took me 3 years to admit I had to do this so, it boggled my mind why somone less than 1/2 my weight would put themselves through this. But, after reading all your posts I see your side and realize weight loss is all relative. And I do not think anyone who hasn't resorted to having surgery (especially those who would never need it) can understand it at all.

[Lorainsatx 31]

Well hello, I'm tammie. I'm 5'1 247 lbs bmi of 46.7 ... Yikes I qualify for the surgery and I'm done with all these appts I just have my surgeon appt the 4tf hopefully I'll get a surgery date.. I have hypertension, chronic joint pains specially my back and my ankles ... Triglycerides ( high ) pre diabetic.. So it's all there and in the mix. I'm from NY Health First is my insurance .. Super nervous .. Anyone has encouraging words for me ? All I can think about is being approved ..

Hi Tammie! I have almost identical problems with a BMI of only 36.4. I was approved in less than a week by Humana. I think they are all easing up on their requirements. It is however nerve wracking to wait for their decision. My surgery date is June 10 th and I am beyond excited. Keep in touch!

[Lorainsatx 31]

<p>I was told that I was too tiny for the surgery by one of the "prep" nurses the day of surgery. You are not having the surgery for anyone but you. So listen to your inner voice - not others!</p> <p> </p> <p>I was 212 and 5' 5 1/2" the day of surgery...BMI 34.5. I was 238 when I started the program...my insurance required that I was on a weight loss plan for 6 months. I did say I was a little shorter than I am so that my BMI would be a little higher and my insurance would cover it. Oh well....</p> <p> </p> <p>I did lose approximately 70 pounds several years ago when I was running for exercise. I tore both my ACLs in two different accidents and couldn't run any more. The weight crept back until I was very unhappy. </p> <p> </p> <p>..... I am one week post-op and looking forward to a whole different outlook on life.</p>

hi Tina! I am 5'4" and 212. Surgery date is June 10th. How are you feeling? How were your first few post op days?