Low BMI Gastric Sleeve story

[lady10000000000 63]

I wanted to write about my experience with a lower bmi because while I am about 50 lbs overweight 182 5 ft 4 inches - I haven't seen too many posts that describe the surgery with this kind of weight loss. It took me a long time to decide to do this but I kept gaining and have a history of family members who get very very obese after their 40s. I am on the same track.

Anyway I am getting sleeve may 13. flyint to texas bc I actually have a friend who is a surgeon that does this. I feel good about that and I am staying with another friend.

I have 10 days and started the first day of a soft diet which is various soft Proteins, shakes, cottage cheese, eggs. I was basically good but ate too much. My goal today was just to get used to no carbs. I have had a splitting headache from giving up the caffiene but I am taking liquid tylenol and that helps a bit.

I was nervous about this but feeling better about it now and committed to doing this. Ill write about my experience so someone else in the future can decide if this makes sense for them. Ever since I decided to do this surgery I felt like I had control over my body for the first time in a long time. I also had smoked which I stopped. And started drinking tons of Water. Never could do that before.

So the surgery has instigated a number of great behaviors. all good. And this forum is key because people are so supportive. I really appreciate it.

[silverthreads 183]

Good for you in making a wise and sometimes tough decision. I look forward to hearing about your journey. You're right that this board could use some low BMI perspective. My BMI was 36.2 so higher than yours but on the lower side too. Sleeved last week and doing darned well so far!

Good luck!

[lady10000000000 63]

Thanks! Id love to follow your progress also!

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[OMW2Slim 25]

I am a low bmi as well probably right at 35 right now if not a little lower. Getting sleeved in SanAntonio, TX 16 May. Would love to share the journey with u too.

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[u4ia58 3]

I'm a 36 BMI getting sleeved tomorrow! So excited!

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[silverthreads 183]

@@u4ia58 -- best of luck tomorrow, you'll do great. Mine was just last week and I'm amazed how quickly I've bounced back. I hope your experience is just as good!

[lady10000000000 63]

@u4ia48 good luck ! let us know how you are doing

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[lady10000000000 63]

Ok 6 days till surgery. Been doing a week of soft diet (mostly liquid). Minor cheating today but mostly ok. My doctor is recommending 5 days soft 5 days liquid. Not that bad. Blinding headaches fir three days and now pretty raw emotionally but working on staying low key. Small fail yelled at my son couple of times for no real good reason other than him minorly pushing my buttons. Mothers day first day of full liquid diet. Little weight loss already. Cant wait till this is done.

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[RNYoYo 27]

I'm a 34 bmi and got sleeved on Thursday 5/5. I am feeling great! Good luck to everyone!

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[sharin 2]

I was sleeved in April. Honestly the 2 weeks before surgery were worse then post op. I was starving, craving everything and cheated a few times After surgery your not hungry! 3 days before surgery I was on straight liquid.

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[lady10000000000 63]

Mothers day - having an amazing time with my family and son but as I said I wanted to write this for someone who has a lower bmi... Deciding ..So they can know the feelings you go through. There is a certain degree of guilt Im feeling bc I know this surgery is very optional for me. I cant say the health effects of not having the surgery are worse. Im taking a calculated risk and if something did go wrong Im simply choosing how I feel about my body over my child. even though the chances of sometjing going wrong are minuscule.

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[Man With No Answers 6]

I had my sleeve on 4/26, BMI of 35, spent three days in the hospital, passed the swallow test, discharged, and have been recuperating since. Plan on going back to work after a three week hiatus next Monday. Stepped on the scale for the first time this past Friday and was amazed at the weight loss (39 pounds). A fellow "sleever" recommended I weigh myself at the same time once/week. I intend to follow his advice. The pain has been minimal. Trying to walk as much as I can, but get fatigued fairly easily. As my wife told me, "10 days ago you had a major organ removed. Don't you think it will take awhile to fully recover, you idiot?!" LOL

I can't say enough about this surgery. My blood work has all come back within normal ranges and I look forward to more positive results as time moves on.

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[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

@@Man With No Answers ... your wife sounds like a keeper!

LOL!

[Clementine Sky 708]

Mothers day - having an amazing time with my family and son but as I said I wanted to write this for someone who has a lower bmi... Deciding ..So they can know the feelings you go through. There is a certain degree of guilt Im feeling bc I know this surgery is very optional for me. I cant say the health effects of not having the surgery are worse. Im taking a calculated risk and if something did go wrong Im simply choosing how I feel about my body over my child. even though the chances of sometjing going wrong are minuscule.

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There are risks involved in any surgery, but there are also risks in not taking decisive action to recover from obesity before it corrodes your health and likely shortens your life. Obesity can be profoundly destructive, and the longer you are obese, the more damage it can inflict. I assessed the risk of the VSG and compared it to the long-term risk of not having the surgery, then decided to go for it. My BMI fluctuated in the low 30s. That's "mild" obesity, but the worry was that as I age it would become increasingly difficult to control my weight, and my BMI would rise to the morbid stage. My reproductive endocrinologist was the one who recommended the VSG because I have PCOS and hypothyroidism, and other patients my age and size have benefitted from it. If you're wanting to have more kids in your future, achieving a healthy weight can help.

That's in addition to lessening the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart problems, some types of cancer, and the damage caused to your frame from excess weight over time.

For me the only negative to having the surgery at a lower BMI was my insurance refused to cover any of the costs, so I had to pay for it on my own. It was a worthwhile investment! I sailed through the surgery with very little pain or discomfort. Besides dry-heaving on the first day and having unbelievably intense cramps (my period started during surgery), I felt fine. I was anticipating being in more pain and more tired than I actually was. I had a mild allergic reaction to the surgical tape used on my incisions, and got itchy little welts from it, but it healed quickly. I had a few stomach issues in the first couple of months, but nothing severe. I'm a professor on my feet for hours a day, and haven't taken a day off since the fall quarter began (three weeks after my surgery).

It is important to know that it's very common for people to regret the surgery (though I didn't) in their first month post-op and have what's known as "buyer's remorse." This is when your body is healing, you're still on a restrictive diet, and you are craving normalcy. The feelings pass for the majority of people. It's also important to know that since you are starting at a lower BMI, you'll likely lose weight at a slower pace. Don't feel discouraged, and don't compare yourself to others who've had surgery and are losing much more rapidly. In the eight months since my surgery I've gone from being in the "mildly obese" BMI to comfortably within the "normal" weight range for my height. My weight loss has been much slower than those who started off with higher BMIs, and I've had several stalls along the way, but it has come off. I've gone from a size 14 to a 6/8, and am still losing. I feel lighter, happier, and more confident. Hopefully the same will be true for you.

[kitkattulsa 28]

I'm also a low BMI. .I'm at 36 and need to do a 6 month supervised diet. My Dr asks we eliminate caffeine now and prepare now for how I need to eat after surgery. 2 week liquids before surgery. I just need to not go below 35 bmi

Looking forward to learning more.

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