Low BMI Pre-op nerves

[Newtum 49]

apologies for re-posting this, but I think I posted it in the wrong forum initially

Hi everyone, first time poster here! I am scheduled for a gastric sleeve on 10/19. I am currently 184 lbs, 5'4, bmi 31. After I first met with the surgeon and scheduled the surgery I was very sure this was the right thing to do. I have battled my weight for almost 10 years (I'm 30) and have tried every diet and drug under the sun with no success. My only success has ever come from a combination of medically supervised protein-sparing diet combined with phentermine. But even that 30 lb loss came back on pretty quickly.

Now I'm starting to question this choice. It just seems so completely elective -- I'm healthy and young, I even completed a triathlon this weekend! But the choice goes beyond vanity, I struggle with significant depression that I never dealt with prior to the weight gain, I feel constantly exhausted (possibly from sleep apnea) and just generally feel that I'm living my life in someone else's body under a cloud of failure.

I'd love to hear from others who had the surgery at a low BMI - are you happy with your choice? I'd especially love to hear from anyone who went on to have healthy pregnancies afterwards, the concern about pregnancy at my current weight has led me to hold off on having kids! Any other thoughts would be much appreciated, I do think this is the right choice for me but I struggle with feeling selfish to put my loved ones through the stress of worrying about the outcome when I'm not facing an immediate health crisis. And God forbid something happened, I wouldn't blame them for hating me for putting them through that.

[SeahawksFan 444]

I am almost a year out and was pretty much the same BMI. I didn't have any huge health concerns yet only sleep apnea. But I was very frustrated after years of dieting and exercising and still being over weight. I don't regret it at all. In fact it's completely fixed my IBS problems so that alone was worth the surgery and money since I had to pay. I don't have any advice on the pregnancy aspects as I am 45 and already had kids but I will say it was another thing weighing on me. Do I really need to do this and risk my life when I have 2 kids and a husband? I think second guessing is always something we do as humans. And I think even the first month you will have a moment where you think to yourself "What the hell did I do?" I had that moment but didn't take long to get over it. I love my new lifestyle.

Good luck-

LA

[Newtum 49]

Thank you, LA! I appreciate that there are other people out there who made a similar choice and had good results.

[Cutepretty1 121]

@@Newtum I am low bmi as well with no comorbidities. I have yo yo dieted for years going back prior to having my 16 year old son. I have not had the procedure yet but I am striving for December. I have the same concerns as you do and I wish you the best. Hopefully more low BMIers with no comorbidities will see the post and offer some helpful tips.

[Newtum 49]

Thanks for responding!! I heard from a few low bmi-ers by private message and that's helped me a lot. I'll definitely do the same for you and keep you updated on progress and answer any questions about recovery

[maileijulia 4]

I am scheduled for October 22 for the Sleeve...I too am having the same thoughts/concerns...I am 41...5'5", weigh 193 with BMI 32...the few people I told are not very supportive (they think it is the easy way out). I have tried every diet pill out there, I take fitness classes a few times a week and still cannot lose weight (I can lose but it always comes back)...I have high blood pressure and started thinking about the surgery when my doctor told me I have chance of getting diabetes and my liver was slightly enlarged. I am so scared and nervous now that it is getting closer but I really want to do this regardless of what my friends and family say. Best of luck to you!

[Newtum 49]

• maileijulia - let's stay in touch! i understand how people can feel like its the easy way out, but those of us who have done the research know its just an assistant to all the hard work that's still to come. only you know what is realistic in terms of getting healthy, and some people definitely just seem to have it harder than others when it comes to weight loss! when do you start your pre-op diet? Mine's only three days so a week from tomorrow I say goodbye to food for awhile

[Joannaharris77 9]

I truly understand where you coming from. I had a low BMI at surgery I was weighing in at 193 and I'm 5"2. At the beginning o really thought I made a huge mistake but as I was healing I realized that this was one of the best decision I have made, my entire life. I was like you.... I've been fighting to lose weight since I turned 21 years old. I have three kids and I'm 38 now. I also had many health problems to deal with such as hbp, sleep apnea, Borderline diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver, Low Iron, heart palpitations all the time. I chose to live and look good while I'm doing it. I had my surgery on the 8th of September. I now weigh 175...which is really good.... I say go for it and do what makes you happy.

Edited October 9, 2015 by Joannaharris77

[Newtum 49]

• Joannaharris77 congrats! awesome progress, it honestly does help to see that the pay-off won't just be permanent, it'll be FAST! I've read a lot about the feelings of regret the first few weeks, so i'm steeling myself for that!

[maileijulia 4]

*Newtum I start my preop diet next week...I am worried about that! I just don't know how I will get through with the liquid diet! I love food and need to be able to chew my food LOL!

[cejiogu 182]

It's not an easy way out but helps you keep off the weight. I am fighting myself after 20 months out. I lost 135 lbs and have gained back 15 in the last 5 months. I lost my job of 10 years. I am a single mom of 3 boys no support from my ex. I got another job but it's hard to start over with a new set of people, etc. food is my drug and I fell off the wagon. I am trying again! I need to lose at least 10 lbs so I have tight clothes. I don't want to go down the bad health road again too. I was taking 9 pills a day before surgery. Now I take 1 and my Vitamins. Life is good! I am a health care professional too so I know better. But it's still hard. I do not want to put on my fat suit again! I like the new me. It looks like the old one just moves faster!

[Cape Crooner 589]

I'm not quite as light, but 250 at 5'10", I was 37 BMI a week before my surgery (10/6). I admit that I had a pizza before the first weigh-in to top the scales at 281 (BMI 40.2), but all of my co-morbities were marginal and I knew if I didn't qualify, I may never do it.

As soon as I weighed in, I started very tough dieting (5:2, then 1500 calories/day cut out booze, coffee, and diet soda).

I Lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks and my mother said "forget the surgery, you're fine" (thanks Mom). I admit thinking that I was half way to 225, which was a very comfortable weight for me.

Anyway, I kept coming back to two things; first, I really believe it was now or never. Sure, I could lose another 25 pounds, but was there any doubt that I'd see 260/270 again?

Second, if I projected where my diabetes, fatty liver, and arthritis were heading, I really believed it was about having a life after 80 versus being dead or in a nursing home.

Fast forward, I'm home 3 days post surgery and I'm already feeling better than I did at 281. I'm on the blended diet and it's fine. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and know I'll be eating normal food in 6 weeks and sipping wine with my (small) Christmas dinner.

No brainier - hang in there and keep your eyes on the bigger picture.

Edited October 9, 2015 by Cape Crooner

[Newtum 49]

It's not an easy way out but helps you keep off the weight. I am fighting myself after 20 months out.

Well said - I believe I could lose the weight without the surgery, but I don't believe I could keep it off. So sorry things aren't breaking your way but congrats on making getting back on track a priority. That's huge in and of itself. You can do it!!!

[Newtum 49]

Anyway, I kept coming back to two things; first, I really believe it was now or never. Sure, I could lose another 25 pounds, but was there any doubt that I'd see 260/270 again?

Second, if I projected where my diabetes, fatty liver, and arthritis were heading, I really believed it was about having a life after 80 versus being dead or in a nursing home.

...

No brainier - hang in there and keep your eyes on the bigger picture.

Thank you, thank you!! Totally agree about the now or never thing. If I'm honest with myself I know if I don't do it now I'll be wanting to at 250 and who knows if I'll be able to time-wise, health-wise, financially, etc. Great to hear you're feeling good about the decision even so soon out.

This forum is really keeping my spirits up and helping me sleep!! Thanks everyone.

[natnat919 165]

I was a low BMI to start as well...... I had to "gain" to reach 35 BMI so insurance would pay for it.

I'm now almost 4 months out and have lost 54 pounds, only want to lose 10-15 more and I will be exactly where I want to be. This is the best decision I've ever made, I'm off all meds, exercising all the time, living life to the fullest. People tell me I look 10 years younger and so much happier.