Low BMI Gastric Sleeve story

[RNYoYo 27]

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.

Great advice! Keep up the good work

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[lady10000000000 63]

Thank you. This is really helpful. And very appreciated

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[OMW2Slim 25]

Kitkattulsa, if u go below 35 BMI will ur insurance not cover? I was approved over 35 but now i am below 35 and surgery is next week. I asked my dr office about that and they said I was already approved so it doesn't matter if I go below. It still worries me though.

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[lady10000000000 63]

Surgery is tomorrow. Sort of shocked that ive lost close to 9 lbs. this morning i stepped on the scale and i was 174.

I already feel like a new person frankly. However this diet pre op is brutal and i know without the sleeve it would all pop back on in a flash. Im starting to believe i could hit goal weight of 140. Im 54. I cant even remember what that feels like. All i know is that when i was 140 i was obsessed w feeling fat. So as i revisit these weights im now so newly appreciative of what i could be. And how bad that felt. Mostly in the last fee years the sense of no control. And feelings of doom that it wouldnt stop. So grateful this surgery exists.

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I meant 5 ft 4 inches im 46

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[the sleeved plastic surgeon 23]

I'm a low bmi too I was sleeved last Sunday my BMI is 38 would love to share my journey with you too

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[Mane2016 16]

I'm a 34 BMI and got sleeved on Monday 5/10. I just got home and am surprised at how and smooth the surgery went. I admit I'm sore internally but I don't have much pain. It's the gas that puts pressure inside. Once you pass gas it gets better good luck today and thanks for sharing. My only advise is to do everything the dr. says and walk a lot.

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[lady10000000000 63]

Love to hear more. Sleeved plastic surgeon. Im heading in tomorrow.

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[Mane2016 16]

I haven't been hungry at all. It's amazing. I'm sinking chicken broth, eating sugar free Jello and drinking(sipping) Water all day. It's very doable more advice, do deep breathing and often. It helps to open the lungs.

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[Jenieo 3]

Hello All,

I am also a low BMI and was sleeved in Mexico on last Friday May 6th. So far it has been really pretty easy. I have easily been meeting my Fluid and Protein goals and added Premier Protein shakes on day 5 with no problems.

I have been off work this week, and while not hungry.. I have been oddly food focused..

Looking forward to getting back to work and having my mind occupied

[jessjames 234]

I'm a low bmi of 35 and get sleeved on the 26th!

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Edited May 14, 2016 by jessjames

[Seastars 175]

Thank you, everyone, for telling your stories and sharing tips! It is very reassuring. Keep 'em coming!

I don't have a surgery date yet (probably late June). I have a BMI of 32.8. I'm most concerned about:

-micronutrient deficiency. The longer-term sleeve studies show this is very, very common. Any of you long-termers who can report that your regular Multivitamins are enough to keep your blood levels normal?

-being too fatigued and fuzzy-brained to work for weeks after the surgery. I don't need to account for vacation days at my job, and I can work from home if necessary, but I've got a huge project in August that will need focused thinking and writing for most of June and July. More than a week off work will compromise that. So I'd love to hear from folks who were back to a desk job and reasonably efficient, a week after surgery! (Or if not, please tell it too me straight - how long did it take for your brain to return?)

-surviving the pre- and post-op liquid diet phases. I like Fiber and crunch! But I suppose one can endure anything for just a few weeks.

I'm pretty active (cardio daily) and eat nutritiously (although way too much) with lots of Protein. I don't smoke, drink (alcohol, coffee, soda). So the maintenance phase doesn't seem too difficult (knock wood) - just much smaller portions, starting with Protein, and much more chewing! I hope that having a lower (although still obese) BMI and being fit now, will help me bounce back to regular activity (and brain) after surgery.

[RNYoYo 27]

Thank you, everyone, for telling your stories and sharing tips! It is very reassuring. Keep 'em coming!

I don't have a surgery date yet (probably late June). I have a BMI of 32.8. I'm most concerned about:

-micronutrient deficiency. The longer-term sleeve studies show this is very, very common. Any of you long-termers who can report that your regular Multivitamins are enough to keep your blood levels normal?

-being too fatigued and fuzzy-brained to work for weeks after the surgery. I don't need to account for vacation days at my job, and I can work from home if necessary, but I've got a huge project in August that will need focused thinking and writing for most of June and July. More than a week off work will compromise that. So I'd love to hear from folks who were back to a desk job and reasonably efficient, a week after surgery! (Or if not, please tell it too me straight - how long did it take for your brain to return?)

-surviving the pre- and post-op liquid diet phases. I like Fiber and crunch! But I suppose one can endure anything for just a few weeks.

I'm pretty active (cardio daily) and eat nutritiously (although way too much) with lots of Protein. I don't smoke, drink (alcohol, coffee, soda). So the maintenance phase doesn't seem too difficult (knock wood) - just much smaller portions, starting with Protein, and much more chewing! I hope that having a lower (although still obese) BMI and being fit now, will help me bounce back to regular activity (and brain) after surgery.

Hello and welcome!! I am 9 days post op and I feel like I could run circles around an office. So, I don't believe that fatigue or fuzzy head have been an issue at all for me. Not to say that others haven't experienced this because as it seems, no two are alike. However, very similar. I also have a lower (BMI 32.4) but still obese and a yo-yo forever with no long-term solution and lots of family health issues. I also know that being in shape will improve your healing and general outcome. I'm not too schooled in long term sleevers but I do know that's the reason that it's so important to get your protein first. I've been doing great getting it in as long as I drink a Protein shake and eat lots of yogurt! Anyway, thank you for your post and I hope to get information on long term outcomes as well. Good luck to you and you are in the right place for a wealth of information!!

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[RNYoYo 27]

Ps....I forgot to address the pre-op and post-op diet. It sucks but is so doable and necessary for smooth surgery and successful healing.

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[Juhygtfrdsd 154]

Ladies here too...low bmi just at the cut off..in fact when i had to go to meetings i felt out of place everyone was 2-3 times bigger then me and here i was this small person...4ft 10....i had my surgery on march 21st...some bumps but all going well...

You can follow me here http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/359417-starting-my-journey-boston-ma/page-12#entry4149614

[Ele marie 92]

Wow good to hear this my doctor and insurance will not give anyone with a BMI under 40. Instead the insurance will cover weight watchers for you

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