Looking for a buddy with lower pre op BMI

[tnkrrbl 53]

Me too. Where you all been

My surgery is scheduled for 5/18

Bmi 33, 5'2" and 189 pounds when I started my self imposed pre op of low carb high Protein down to 184

I've been over 180 for 20, maybe 30 years.

I have no co morbities other than my knees hurt all the time. I don't want to be fat in a wheelchair, having people lift 200 pounds. Etc

That said I hide in photos I have the chin hide down pat! I see myself as thinner and am shocked at what reflects back at me in the mirror.

My hubby is all in. My friends I'm not telling they think I'm crazy

I'm scared I'm making a permanent WRONG decision, irreversible.

I'm a terrible dieter, no will power or I don't want it bad enough. I hate the gym. Went religiously for 6 months lost 2 Frerking pounds

Full disclosure I'm also afraid forge attention I may get once thin. Catch 22. I don't mind it, but at 19 I had an unwanted experience and packed the pounds on to "protect" myself. Does that make sense? Now my oldest is getting married, there will be grandkids and I don't want to be OLD and FAT.

SO HERE WE GO ON MONDAY. I wonder what happens if you get there and then back out.

Thanks for listening. I hope I'm doing the right thing for me.

[Butterflyhigh 504]

Hi all!

Basically the same story as the above posters. I am nearly one year post-op and it's been a total sucess for me. I've lost 20 lbs more than my initial goal weight. I went from a pant size 14-16 to my current size 0.

Some low bmi'ers loose the weight more slowly than than higher bmi'ers. I lost very steadily and hit my goal of 147 around 8 months post-op. I am now weighing 127.

The biggest thing I've learned that I would impart to all new comers is this....you've got to understand WHY you have issues with food. Where did they start, why do they continue. Reconize that your emotions are all wraped up with eating, chewing, and swallowing food. Reconize, Explore, and Readjust all the emotional and physical behaviors which lead you to make emotional food choices.

Now, my biggest challenge is stoping the weight loss. My NUT said it is very rare that she's got to tell someone to stop loosing and fatten up their diet, but I am also one of the lowest starting bmi'ers they've worked with. I have to track daily to ensure I'm hitting 1500 calories...which is difficult and I usually am in the 1200 area. What a difference one year makes in terms of life's challenges! Sometimes this is still a bit surreal to me.

Good Luck!! It's a hell of a ride.

[brandnewme2015 217]

Brandnewme2015 and everyone !!!!!!!

Thanks for the responses! My PCP was not the one who said don't lose more weight, it was my Bariatric Dr. He is concerned my BMI will go down too much and the insurance will then become a problem.....

I am a planner and I sssooooo want to go out and pick up all the Protein Drinks, etc. I will need but I keep hearing don't do it, you tastes may change and you could end up not liking them! I feel like I need to be doing something toward my surgery,......

I too was afraid my weight loss during the pre-op would disqualify me. The bariatric coordinator I worked with was awesome and totally understood the potential issue, so submitted the paperwork showing my highest weight, not what I had lost. Not sure if it was ethical or legal, but it worked and insurance covered it. And as far as Protein Shakes and the latter :I don't think it's ever too early to get into what will be a habit for the rest of your life! Way to go!

[brandnewme2015 217]

I have a bmi of 34.9 now but the last 5 yes it was 37.I recently tried adipex lost a few pounds put me under 35.The adipex quit working now I'm gaining weight.When decided to get the sleeve now my bmi is too low.Will Cigna still cover my surgery? I know they cover weight loss.Was denied when my doctors nurse submitted without all my information. She told me she was precerfifing make sure it covered it but Cigna said they denied me IM CONFUSED.Someone please give me some advice.I told u my bmi low also I have high bp,diabetes,pcos,high chol,high tricycles, and artirisits.

Most insurance companies require 35 bmi with Co morbidities, but you could always appeal your decision, based on your weight history. This might be terrible advice, but I actually "fattened up" just enough for my BMI to be 35 for the paperwork submission because like yours, it hovered between 34.9 & 35.1 on any given day . We all know how easy it is to gain 5lbs... Your other option I suppose would be self pay. Good luck!

[brandnewme2015 217]

Me too. Where you all been

My surgery is scheduled for 5/18

Bmi 33, 5'2" and 189 pounds when I started my self imposed pre op of low carb high Protein down to 184

I've been over 180 for 20, maybe 30 years.

I have no co morbities other than my knees hurt all the time. I don't want to be fat in a wheelchair, having people lift 200 pounds. Etc

That said I hide in photos I have the chin hide down pat! I see myself as thinner and am shocked at what reflects back at me in the mirror.

My hubby is all in. My friends I'm not telling they think I'm crazy

I'm scared I'm making a permanent WRONG decision, irreversible.

I'm a terrible dieter, no will power or I don't want it bad enough. I hate the gym. Went religiously for 6 months lost 2 Frerking pounds

Full disclosure I'm also afraid forge attention I may get once thin. Catch 22. I don't mind it, but at 19 I had an unwanted experience and packed the pounds on to "protect" myself. Does that make sense? Now my oldest is getting married, there will be grandkids and I don't want to be OLD and FAT.

SO HERE WE GO ON MONDAY. I wonder what happens if you get there and then back out.

Thanks for listening. I hope I'm doing the right thing for me.

It's never too late to back out if uncertainty exists. Remember that this is a huge, life-changing decision you are making. When I finally made my decision it was full steam ahead and not a doubt in my mind. Now, I also had life-threatening co-morbidities that made that decision easier for me. Just know that once you have the surgery there is no going back, and your relationship with food will change forever. It's going to be a tough road ahead and will take full commitment for continued success. Lean on your DH for support. Just curious have you tried any medically supervised weight loss programs?

[brandnewme2015 217]

Hi all!

Basically the same story as the above posters. I am nearly one year post-op and it's been a total sucess for me. I've lost 20 lbs more than my initial goal weight. I went from a pant size 14-16 to my current size 0.

Some low bmi'ers loose the weight more slowly than than higher bmi'ers. I lost very steadily and hit my goal of 147 around 8 months post-op. I am now weighing 127.

The biggest thing I've learned that I would impart to all new comers is this....you've got to understand WHY you have issues with food. Where did they start, why do they continue. Reconize that your emotions are all wraped up with eating, chewing, and swallowing food. Reconize, Explore, and Readjust all the emotional and physical behaviors which lead you to make emotional food choices.

Now, my biggest challenge is stoping the weight loss. My NUT said it is very rare that she's got to tell someone to stop loosing and fatten up their diet, but I am also one of the lowest starting bmi'ers they've worked with. I have to track daily to ensure I'm hitting 1500 calories...which is difficult and I usually am in the 1200 area. What a difference one year makes in terms of life's challenges! Sometimes this is still a bit surreal to me.

Good Luck!! It's a hell of a ride.

@@Butterflyhigh I'm so glad you posted. I'm really early in my journey (6 weeks) and while I'm losing lbs. at a pretty average rate, the inches have dropped off rapidly. I've gone from a size 16 to a 10 in a short period of time, and honestly don't want to be any smaller than a 6 or 8. I'm afraid I won't be able to stop losing. I'm taking in so few calories right now, and at a deficit when I'm exercising. My NUT told me my body will adjust, and I really hope so, but reading your story has me a little concerned... Will it get easier to consume more food / calories as time passes?

[alindsey 230]

I'm 5'7 205-ish lbs BMI is like 31 or so give or take 8lbs Water weight etc fluctuation. I'm getting sleeved June 8th!!! I'm thrilled! Just because we are not in the "morbid" obese category we are still considered obese! And I personally know I'm very miserable! The sleeve is a tool I feel it's better to get it now then wait until we gain 100 more pounds! The sleeve is a tool I feel that I need. I can't keep weight off I need help! This is the tool and the lifestyle change I need. I have chose not to tell anyone because I don't want to hear negative comments. My mom is having it done on the same day with me in Mexico and she is the only one I've told. 26 days and counting to a new life! A new way of eating! I need help and the sleeve is the help and tool I need to change my way of eating forever!

[Ms. Babyboo 25]

Yes I have a low BMI as well and is schedule for June 28th I'm 4"11 and I weigh 192 and I also have high blood pressure...people say the same thing to me that I'm not that big and I look good but the fact is I need help lol...my insurance covers it so that's a blessing...I haven't told anyone so this is my little secret and my support is god and you guys for now...I felt guilty uncertain about surgery because of my size an everything else...I'm a mother of seven and my family have a history of obesity I'm one of the smallest and I never want to be obese or as big as them and I would love to have a friend to help encourage me through this journey

[brandnewme2015 217]

Yes I have a low BMI as well and is schedule for June 28th I'm 4"11 and I weigh 192 and I also have high blood pressure...people say the same thing to me that I'm not that big and I look good but the fact is I need help lol...my insurance covers it so that's a blessing...I haven't told anyone so this is my little secret and my support is god and you guys for now...I felt guilty uncertain about surgery because of my size an everything else...I'm a mother of seven and my family have a history of obesity I'm one of the smallest and I never want to be obese or as big as them and I would love to have a friend to help encourage me through this journey

You have made a great decision for your health, congratulations! No better motivator than to be around for your children. Forget about the naysayers : only you can understand your struggles. No guilt allowed here ???? This is not an easy decision, nor is it an easy lifestyle, but with commitment your journey will be a success. Good luck and let us know how you're doing!

Edited May 13, 2015 by brandnewme2015

[highonlifega1970 11]

Tnk are you self paying?If you really want this there should be no doubts.If you have doubts ,you need to wait till you are really sure.Me I'm extremely excited,I know this is what I want I'm prepared mentally and planning my every step before and after surgery. Like they said once you have it done there's no going back.I'm here if you need a friend. There's a lot of people here that's on your side if you decide too or not.

Good luck

[RobinRg 3]

Hello! No, not self pay! Unless,the insurance doesn't come through! That is where the waiting comes in and it is hard to wait!

I am sure about this and have some experience as a support person for my husband when he had his DS.

[RobinRg 3]

I love hearing all these stories! So much of it is the same as mine! Highest weight was 265 and I did manage to drop some and keep it off but could not lose more and keep it off. I used to spend hours at the gym, swimming and lifting weights. I got pretty strong but no fat went away. I have the co-morbidities ( hate that word, makes me feel like I am dying), did the 6 months record of food and activities.......I lost 7 pounds in 6 months! That added to my depression! I worked so hard and the results were practically nil. My PCP says my metabolism is shot and has been pushing me for a decade to do this! I looked into it years ago and Blue Cross said NO WAY. I got heavier, felt guiltier about it, developed more problems and now we have different insurance!

After so many diets for so many years, I am tired of listening to other people, especially when I have learned enough about Bariatric surgery to know most of what they say is really wrong! I tried it myself for decades without asking for help, now I am asking! My husband had a DS in 2013, he was insulin defendant, his stomach stopped working from the diabetes and he was getting bad nerve damage from it, too. Things were going downhill fast for him. His best option for any kind of health was the DS and he took it. About 150 lbs later he is in great health and feels terrific. There is no better proof for me!

As for telling other people, I have told plenty of people I work with and they are surprised I am big enough but are really supportive. Maybe it is because #1 I work in a hospital and #2 they have all seen me drenched in sweat after very little activity or just because it is humid! I have not told my family (in an other state) but I will at the last moment. They did not really understand my husband's surgery very well, they still think it was some kind of diet! Since the Dr. will also be fixing a hernia for me I will tell them it is surgery for that and later tell them the rest. My Mom is 90 and worries about EVERYTHING, so I kind of hate to add to that............ It is a conundrum!

For all the nay-sayers, I say mind your own business and health problems and let me mind mine!!!!!!!

Getting excited and it is hard to wait!

[Ms. Babyboo 25]

Yes I have a low BMI as well and is schedule for June 28th I'm 4"11 and I weigh 192 and I also have high blood pressure...people say the same thing to me that I'm not that big and I look good but the fact is I need help lol...my insurance covers it so that's a blessing...I haven't told anyone so this is my little secret and my support is god and you guys for now...I felt guilty uncertain about surgery because of my size an everything else...I'm a mother of seven and my family have a history of obesity I'm one of the smallest and I never want to be obese or as big as them and I would love to have a friend to help encourage me through this journey

You have made a great decision for your health, congratulations! No better motivator than to be around for your children. Forget about the naysayers : only you can understand your struggles. No guilt allowed here ???? This is not an easy decision, nor is it an easy lifestyle, but with commitment your journey will be a success. Good luck and let us know how you're doing!

Thank you so much I appreciate your respond...I hear that mood its not easy but I ain't giving up and I ain't guilty I'm rocking with the LOSERS...I congratulate you too for being so strong and I wish nothing but success for you

[LauriTX75 75]

I am in too!!! I didn't even finish reading all the posts but I fit in perfectly here!! I am 5 ft tall and weighed 191 at the surgeons office. My husband and friends and coworkers that know are all supportive...my mother is one of those who seems to think I can do it on my own. I even took adipex for 4 months and are 1100 calories a day, and only lost about 15 lbs. i am sitting in the gi docs office right now waiting to see when I can have my scope done. Then all I need is my pre op clearance from my PCP and one more dietician appt (on the 21st) and I then wait the insurance approval game.

[brandnewme2015 217]

I am in too!!! I didn't even finish reading all the posts but I fit in perfectly here!! I am 5 ft tall and weighed 191 at the surgeons office. My husband and friends and coworkers that know are all supportive...my mother is one of those who seems to think I can do it on my own. I even took adipex for 4 months and are 1100 calories a day, and only lost about 15 lbs. i am sitting in the gi docs office right now waiting to see when I can have my scope done. Then all I need is my pre op clearance from my PCP and one more dietician appt (on the 21st) and I then wait the insurance approval game.

Glad to have another "lightweight" on this thread! Good luck and keep us posted!