dallasmom4

I was also one who only needed to lose 50-60 lbs. I was sleeved a month ago and have lost 25 lbs to date. What you will probably find is that your loss will be slower than the higher BMI's which can be frustrating. You will read the posts that say "I am one month out and have lost 40 lbs" and you will see your losses only creeping in ounces. But, try not to get to frustrated, especially early on. Low BMI's usually hit a stall after about 2 weeks, which can last a week or two. I had read this and then experienced it myself. But have faith in the process. It works. Believe me, it was well worth having the big part of my stomach cut out for my 50 lbs! I have only lost 25 so far and I'm so happy now I almost would have done it for this, but I know it will continue!

Thanks for your thoughts. I really appreciate reading what everyone has experienced. I'm set to go September 6th.

HELLO Topic starter,

I had a bmi 33, and I had my surgery on July 12, and it was approved by my insurance blue cross blue shield.

Sheri

How did it go?

I have the same issues with a lower BMI. But, at 5'4" and 197lbs I am not happy with my health (have several co-morbidities) or my looks. I posted recently on VST and got great support and information but I am still curious about the recovery process for low BMI surgery. I am a private pay patient and my dr is in Dallas. He is a "center of excellence" physician at a COE facility so I feel comfortable about my decision. Also, my internist is completely supporting my decision. I have been a patient of his for 30+ years and his support was a big factor in my decison...he's very conservative.

I've gone back and forth about the fears and possibilities and know that I have done proper research and selected the best doctor I can find. I've learned that it's possible to find people to support almost any doubt I may have but I trust my medical experts so, at 62, I'm ready to go on September 6.

I hope to hear all about the recovery process from other lower BMI's as we go forward. Thanks so much for sharing.

Totally agree with you mp8btpc. We all have our own reasons for this surgery. Good luck to you Dallasmom4. When is your surgery? Soon? I've heard a lot of good things about your surgeon. Wishing you the best!

My surgery is scheduled for September 6th. Thanks for the good thoughts.

i'm a self pay sleeve and had many of the co-morbidities: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea (undiagnosed until I started testing for the surgery), and diabetes. I figured my risks with these were much higher than from the surgery. With 100+ lbs to lose and almost 60 years old I expect to have some excess skin issues. However, when I lost 100 lbs in my early 40's I had no excess skin at all. Good luck.

I hope all is well. How are you feeling? Are you experiencing anything you weren't expecting? Would love to hear about the recovery process.

I hope all is well. How are you feeling? Are you experiencing anything you weren't expecting? Would love to hear about the recovery process.

Your comment did not offfend me, Rosaline. But it does prove that this is one of those topics that causes people to rush to judgement ...she's too thin, why did they wait so long, why are they not having weight loss surgery. My 50lbs weighs the same as anyone's elses. Would you tell someone to stop losing weight when they were still 50lbs overweight after losing 250lbs or even 150lbs? It's all relative.

Actually, on the health side it's similar (but not as drastic) to having elective mastectomies if you have all the breast cancer markers and you've done as much as you can non-surgically.

On the cosmetic side it's certainly not as drastic as a face lift, Tummy Tuck, arm lift, full body liposuction, or any number of surgeries folks opt for everyday after significant weight loss.

My goal is to collect as much helpful information as I can from those of you who are going through this and combine it with the advice of my doctors to make informed decisions during the process. Hopefully, I will avoid feeling too shamed along the way.

Anyway, I do appreciate the information and encouragement regarding my original question.

Thanks everyone.

I'll be at Forest Park Surgical Center, as well, with Dr. Nick Nicholson. I just turned 62 and I laughed after I read my own post last night and my description of myself as "middle aged". That means I'll live to be about 124!

I'm seriously not too concerned about cosmetic issues right now...as I said, things are already "relaxing"!

At any rate, I got the thumbs up this morning from my internist of 30 years. I weighed 197 and I'm 5'4" tall. I had pulmonary clots about 8 years ago and he has been opposed to any and all elective surgery I have ever mentioned so this is a HUGE relief for me. I don't feel as apprehensive knowing how conservative he has always been. He has many patients who have used Dr Nicholson and he said he supports my decision. He will be monitoring me as I go off Warfarin and use Lovenox injections then back on the Warfarin after surgery.

Thanks for the wonderful feedback. It really helps.

Thanks for your feedback. I'll keep my fingers crossed...it is what it is. I'm looking forward to getting off meds and feeling ENERGY again.

PS>>the girls were already headed due south!

Hi, there.

I am scheduled for a private pay sleeve in a few weeks in Dallas. I am middle aged and approximately 50 lbs overweight with a BMI of 34. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and acid reflux so I am in great shape. The fact that my weight is carried around my middle almost guarantees that I will develop diabetes if I don't do something.

Even with all of these medical issues I, like many, am very nervous about the whole surgery thing. You know, the old "what if " syndrome...what if I develop clots, what if I get an infection, and the latest thanks to morning television...what if I catch fire on the table? The fact that I will almost certainly be able to resolve my medical issues will be the big reward so I just have to keep reminding myself that I have an excellent surgeon, a great facility and Faith.

Although the doctor has done a great job of explaining possible side effects and surgical issues I would love to hear from "the real experts" about what to expect regarding the cosmetic issues I will face when losing 50 pounds.

Thanks for any information you can provide!

Hi, there.

I am scheduled for a private pay sleeve in a few weeks in Dallas. I am middle aged and approximately 50 lbs overweight with a BMI of 34. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and acid reflux so I am in great shape. The fact that my weight is carried around my middle almost guarantees that I will develop diabetes if I don't do something.

Even with all of these medical issues I, like many, am very nervous about the whole surgery thing. You know, the old "what if " syndrome...what if I develop clots, what if I get an infection, and the latest thanks to morning television...what if I catch fire on the table? The fact that I will almost certainly be able to resolve my medical issues will be the big reward so I just have to keep reminding myself that I have an excellent surgeon, a great facility and Faith.

Although the doctor has done a great job of explaining possible side effects and surgical issues I would love to hear from "the real experts" about what to expect regarding the cosmetic issues I will face when losing 50 pounds.

Thanks for any information you can provide!

I'm lookingfor the best Dr. in Dallas Tx. to do the sleeve for me. Any suggestions?

I am scheduled for surgery with Dr Nicholson in Dallas in a few weeks. He has an excellent reputation and the fact that he is the head of Bariatric Medicine at Baylor Medical Center (downtown and Plano) means a lot to me.