Low BMI pre op question

[lizzie320 5]

I’ve committed to getting gastric sleeve in April but I am barely 30 BMI. My logic is that I can pack a few pounds on ( who’s kidding- I love to eat and could easily eat to gain forever) but I’m starting to struggle mentally and I do some extreme exercise so burn through calories on occasion. Feeling like I’m almost “sport eating” when I’m not hungry because I want to make sure I don’t get down there only to be turned around for BMI under 30. I also would love to do a proper liver shrinking pre op diet without risking going under 30 BMI so right now enjoying some indulgence to put me well into qualifying range.
Am I nuts? No I don’t think so, I am doing this because I want permanent change. Sure I could lose 30 pounds through giving up sugar and flour and weighing my food. I could put limits on how much beer I drink. Hot yoga, running etc. But I also go back to old ways. Gsv gives you that sort of permanence which you must adopt new lifestyle or face discomfort.
I guess I am just looking for others who may have been thinking how I am thinking and found success with gsv. How different is it with a small stomach? How did you avoid unhealthy behaviors trying to stay above 30 BMI?
Please be mindful how you comment. I am committed to changing my life for the better and just reaching out as an athlete, human, woman.
Thanks

[Robert S. Libberton 22]

Yes, you are a bit off in logic, if you can manage without surgery you should! This procedure will be painful and take time to recover, people eat through it all the time and sabotage their procedure (my point is it is no fix in reality). I appreciate the procedure and I try to eat every day for the new me and not to recover the old me.

[GradyCat 3,695]

I don't know, Lizzie, perhaps you can approach this without WLS. I'm not trying to talk you out of it by any means, but if sounds like you've got a good handle on what you need to do and are committed to doing it, so WLS might not be the tool you need at this time.

[liveaboard15 1,293]

Ive seen people on here literally gain all their weight back after sleeve surgery by not following the program. (which shocked me because i didnt think you could) Sleeve is only a tool. you have to stick to it. If you get the surgery and still eat crap but small amounts you will still gain weight.

[BeagleMom83 16]

19 hours ago, lizzie320 said:

Sure I could lose 30 pounds through giving up sugar and flour and weighing my food. I could put limits on how much beer I drink. Hot yoga, running etc. But I also go back to old ways.

Well, you are going to lose weight after surgery by giving up sugar, flour and weighing your food. You will also drink very little beer and do lots of exercise.

A surgery is not going to change the mental aspect of poor eating. Trying to stay heavy enough for surgery is not a good way to start off the journey.

[Goddesslola 45]

wow ppl where really nice responding to you.

i was low BMI and years ago for this post, based on responses youd never post again,

eat like its christmas and get your surgery or eat like its january and dont.

you decide,

[ShoppGirl 4,785]

I had a 35 BMI and was worried about dropping too much weight on the pre op diet and worried I needed a buffer pound or two. Turned out for my team it didn’t matter how much you lost on pre op diet, they go by your weight before that diet when deciding if you qualify for the surgery. Just know that if you go back to old ways post surgery that you will gain it back just as you would with a regular diet. The restriction and the temporary loss of appetite (most have this) makes it a little easier to lose the weight but you have to change your habits to keep it off. I like to think of it as getting a clean slate. But it’s real easy to dirty that slate up again if you don’t take full advantage and make the necessary changes.

Edited January 18, 2022 by ShoppGirl

[lizzie320 5]

Wait a second, I thought this was the support forum for weight loss surgery. Obviously there’s more to my story just as all of you have your own struggles. “Just eat right” we have all heard before. I’ve tried drugs, hypnosis, every diet out there. Overweight people know more about diets than anyone ever will. That doesn’t mean I’m not a good candidate for surgery. I’m trying to avoid negative eating behavior until I get my surgery which I feel like is the best answer for me. So suggestions for that would be helpful and how to best prepare for surgery .
Thank you, Goddesslola and Shopgirl. You are actually answered my question.

Edited January 18, 2022 by lizzie320

[ash11.T 1]

I was on the lower side BMI wise and got the surgery in September. It’s very true what people are saying there are ways to cheat of course. That being said for me it has helped completely change my mindset. 58 pounds down so far …18 to go till my goal. There are frustrations not gonna lie, used to love eating out and now it’s not quite the same. However I’m healthier, determined and take each day as it comes. Do your research, focus on why you are getting it done, don’t listen to the outside noise and make a final decision. Just remember it is permanent, good luck ❤️❤️❤️

[Arabesque 7,240]

I agree with what @ShoppGirl said. Many use not just your weight before the pre surgical diet but your weight when you begin the whole approval process. Have you been approved? You said you’re committed to surgery in April. Have you begun your approval process? Your weight at surgery may not be a consideration at all but ask your surgeon or team to be sure.

The surgery is a tool & like any tool if you don’t use it & take advantage of what it can offer, it won’t work. Many of the benefits post surgery (like loss of appetite & hunger) are only temporary. The surgery is not a guarantee of permanent weight loss. That is up to you. Your physiology & psychology will influence how successful you are. As @ShoppGirl said if you don’t make permanent changes to how, why & what you eat you will regain your weight. It’s a simple truth. But one you need to be fully aware of when making your decision to have surgery.

It may be helpful if you see a therapist who specialises in bariatric patients & eating disorders. Your surgeon, doctor or medical team should be able to recommend someone. Many, many people here have sought support from a therapist before & after surgery. It’s not easy to reflect on your eating habits & drives (cravings, emotions, etc.) alone & a therapist will help you work through them & the questions & concerns you have.

All the best.

[huskymama 149]

Honestly if you only have 30 pounds to loose do it without surgery. Go vegan for a month or try something but I wouldn’t have surgery. I went raw vegan and lost 20 pounds easy and felt great and full. I had to go off because life happened but I didn’t regain it. I am happy with the progress I have had the past 4 weeks since VSG but I honestly wish I had given myself more time being vegan and waited on the VSG. I was loosing more and faster, felt better, and had energy like I haven’t had since a kid. So no don’t do it for a small amount of weight. It isn’t the easy road or just to do for vanity. It’s rough - like reading, watching etc what others say about it still doesn’t prepare you for how rough it is. And you will have 6 scars from it. If your minds made up then go for it! And I dropped to 31 BMI day of surgery it didn’t matter it mattered what I started with. I wish I had asked more questions like you are - I would not have done the surgery. But I did and I’m happy with the results. I hope you will be too! Good luck with whatever you decide! 

[SleeverSk 635]

Yes you are nuts!! You asked I gave you an honest answer. Why on earth would you try to keep your bmi above 30 just so you can have an unnecessary surgery with your low bmi. Bloody hell woman surgery is not easy or a quick fix, it's hard and some days just plain horrible. Go see a shrink about your weight/ eating issues. I doubt any surgeon would do you with such a low BMI anyway and if they do I would expect they are very dodgy

[Guest]

Have you considered talking to a therapist while pursuing surgery? The borderline weight issue may be worked better with if you're in that borderline situation by taking care of the mental health side. That was borderline one of the best decisions I made.

[lizzie320 5]

I have 50 pounds to lose. BMI 29.85 is not low. Sorry I don’t meet your requirement for surgery but if you read the research 30 BMI is acceptable and have actually had better outcomes than higher bmi’s.
I don’t want to wait until I’m morbidly obese because some a-holes on a random website said i should. My weight has been creeping up for years.
I am not nuts people just looking for help.
I would love a referral for counseling from minigastricbypassdude if you are willing to share.

[GreenTealael 25,339]

On 1/17/2022 at 8:45 PM, lizzie320 said:

I’ve committed to getting gastric sleeve in April but I am barely 30 BMI. My logic is that I can pack a few pounds on ( who’s kidding- I love to eat and could easily eat to gain forever) but I’m starting to struggle mentally and I do some extreme exercise so burn through calories on occasion. Feeling like I’m almost “sport eating” when I’m not hungry because I want to make sure I don’t get down there only to be turned around for BMI under 30. I also would love to do a proper liver shrinking pre op diet without risking going under 30 BMI so right now enjoying some indulgence to put me well into qualifying range.
Am I nuts? No I don’t think so, I am doing this because I want permanent change. Sure I could lose 30 pounds through giving up sugar and flour and weighing my food. I could put limits on how much beer I drink. Hot yoga, running etc. But I also go back to old ways. Gsv gives you that sort of permanence which you must adopt new lifestyle or face discomfort.
I guess I am just looking for others who may have been thinking how I am thinking and found success with gsv. How different is it with a small stomach? How did you avoid unhealthy behaviors trying to stay above 30 BMI?
Please be mindful how you comment. I am committed to changing my life for the better and just reaching out as an athlete, human, woman.
Thanks

If I was a 39 BMI but 40 was required I would probably do the same thing, but at under 30 BMI, I would think about it a lot more.
Good luck!