Nurse going to Mexico

I have about 50#'s to lose, and am hoping that after the surgery my knees and back will feel better and that my cholesterol will go down.
The requirement for surgery is a bmi of greater than 30. The requirement is higher for insurance to cover but self pay is 30+. Hopkins just did an article on the health benefits of doing the surgery on low BMI patients.
My thought is that even though this is a big surgery, people get other surgeries such as boob jobs and liposuction where they are just cosmetic and not offering any health benefit. This surgery will help my health in the long run.
I think that the low BMI sleeves will catch on, just right now it's still though of for people much larger.
I am very hopeful that I will be able to play with my grand kids and be more active, and in less pain after the surgery.
I was already approved for the surgery. In the US the requirement is also 30, just can't afford it here

I had a lower BMI with multitude of comorbidities. HBP, GERD, the dreaded stress incontinence, and sleep apnea. I was told by people that I was "not that fat". Really? I couldn't go a flights of stairs without stopping.
Now six months out, I've lost over 60 pounds, do Zumba in a class that meets on the 4th floor of an old factory (I run up the stairs! Warm up) I've "trotted" a 5k and in two weeks am doing a Rugged Maniac. I found a picture from a year ago and I look at that woman and think, she was so big and unhappy. I'm sooooo happy!

don't listen to them about your decision I too had a lower BMI from 36-38 but I felt like I was dying and or going to have a stroke or heart attack, my whole body hurt everyday And my feet too. Today 3 weeks out from sleeve surgery I have lost 14 lbs 24 total and have not felt this alive in a few years. Good job on using preventative measures for your health and well being. Congrats

It really takes alot of nerve to feel you know what is best for someone else! Wow.....I would have wanted to walk out and go elsewhere. The other thing that gets me riled up is when people assume we haven't researched or thought long and hard about the decision to have bariatric surgery.
I have on the other hand been pleasantly surprised this week that I told someone I had previously said I wouldn't tell because I thought she would be judgmental and she couldn't have been nicer about it!

When I went for my sleep study the chicken doing the test said those type of comments to me. I don't think they intend it to be as offensive as it is. They are just clueless that it is. I really think they think they are being nice. It really is none of anyone's business what our reasons are they don't have to live in my skin or know my health/family history.

Someone told me that at work yesterday - "You weren't morbidly obese - girl you didn't need surgery!"
Yeah I might not have been morbidly obese, but tell my joints and back that, please. Along with my hypertension. All of which have been alleviated since I had surgery.

"you're not thaaaat fat"
"but you've lost weight before naturally. just do it again."
"i would kill to be your size."
My current BMI is 33 (although it has been higher in the past) and I feel trapped in my own body. I have been overweight since 7, dieting since 9, and I have never been successful at keeping weight off. Will be looking into a trip to Mexico and a self-paid surgery. I can't wait to get my date and become the person I've always wanted to be.

It went well, however, I current weight 159.6 and my surgery day I weighed 172. It's been 6 weeks today, and I feel like the weight loss is slow. The majority of the weight loss was the 1st week, then like a pound a week. I can eat way more than I thought i would be able to. Can eat 2 slices of a medium pizza with no problem.
I can hide that I had the surgery because I am able to eat so much. Soup goes right down and takes no room in my stomach at all.
I still want food and feel hungry.
All in all though I am glad I had it. The jury i still out on how much I will lose. As long as my weight keeps going down I'll be happy. It just seems super slow.
Thanks for asking

It went well, however, I current weight 159.6 and my surgery day I weighed 172. It's been 6 weeks today, and I feel like the weight loss is slow. The majority of the weight loss was the 1st week, then like a pound a week. I can eat way more than I thought i would be able to. Can eat 2 slices of a medium pizza with no problem.
I can hide that I had the surgery because I am able to eat so much. Soup goes right down and takes no room in my stomach at all.
I still want food and feel hungry.
All in all though I am glad I had it. The jury i still out on how much I will lose. As long as my weight keeps going down I'll be happy. It just seems super slow.
Thanks for asking

I think it's impossible to say whether anyone's weight loss is fast, slow, or normal. We are all such different individuals, with different factors that govern our rate of weight loss. I have really tried to focus, not on how fast or how much I am losing, but on how compliant I am with my team's program. If I am complying to the best of my ability, then I can't worry too much about rate of weight loss. It is what it is, and I can't control it beyond doing what my doctors and dietician say. So I worry about:
weighing or measuring my portions keeping my meals within 3 - 5 ounces don't eat until full - eat until satisfied or the pre-measured portion is done, whichever comes first tracking everything I eat on myfitnesspal focusing first on lean Protein and green veggies avoiding all grains, starchy veggies, and sweet foods no liquid calories other than protein shakes It's good to be aware of how much you are losing, but you can't let the rate or amounts get you stressed out or feeling defeated -- or overly confident, either! As long as you are being compliant and making good choices, the weight will come off. Good luck to you!

I had the sleeve on June 1st, so it's been 5 1/2 weeks and I started at 172 lbs (surgery day) and am now 160. Very disappointed at how much I can eat. No one will know i had the surgery because I'm not losing much. I lost about 8 lbs the 1st week and then like a pound a week. I can fit so much in my stomach and I still have hunger where as I thought I wouldnt

I had the sleeve on June 1st, so it's been 5 1/2 weeks and I started at 172 lbs (surgery day) and am now 160. Very disappointed at how much I can eat. No one will know i had the surgery because I'm not losing much. I lost about 8 lbs the 1st week and then like a pound a week. I can fit so much in my stomach and I still have hunger where as I thought I wouldnt

Hi all. I am not necessarily a low BMIer, but wanted to chime in regarding people making comments like "you don't need it" to lower BMI folks. I was shocked when I first came to this sight and saw heavier people saying this to lighter folks because they of all people should know better. I am currently 40 or just under and a week before surgery. When I got to thinking about the comments on a walk one day... All I could think about was this: if I knew today what I didn't know when I was 160, 170, 180, up to 250 about myself, I would have done the surgery at 140 lbs! Those who choose to do it sooner after trying and not losing weight are either super fortunate or super in tune with themselves to not wait until the battle is so much greater.
Best of luck to all of you, and I truly respect people who take their life in their own hands and get control early on. You guys ROCK! Don't forget that ever.

Skinyrita I would love to be buddies and follow your progress. Any advice for someone preop? I'm going in on the 1st

I haven't heard But I sure hope so. It makes sense though, less pressure on the abdomen. the seminar I went to said that obesity causes the incontence. I get caught off gaurd with sneezing or vomiting. I would love to kiss that little surprise goodbye

Havent seen any reviews of Dr. Aramburo with BeLiteWeight. He usually does surgery with Dr. Rod.
Any feedback is helpful

His name is Dr. Elmo Aramburo

Hello, anyone going to be in Mexico with Dr Elmo Aramburo?
I'm a 44 y/o nurse with a low BMI (31) getting sleeved. Hopefully this will help my back and knee pain, high cholesterol, and self image.
Been battling for years and am excited for changes. The few people I have told have not been very supportive.
I really wish people were less judgmental as this is a personal choice. Some people get boob jobs, Lipo, etc for self image and no one says anything, and those procedures have no health benefits at all, but oh well

No, the other RN's had it done here because they had high enough BMI's for insurance to pay. I don't qualify.
Beliteweight has facilities in the US and Mexico with the doctors who have worked both US and Mexico. I did a lot of research and like this one because it is in a real hospital, not a surgery center, and you stay in the hospital the whole time. They do about 5 surgeries a day (versus the 15-17 a day I'm finding in Mexico) which really isnt a lot considering each procedure takes about 45 minutes. I have researched a lot and can't find any complaints with them.
I am paying $6800 (plus airfare) versus $4300 at these surgery center like places that have you stay in a hotel, and not a hospital. I will have a private room and my husband can stay as well.
I feel very comfortable with them, I just always worry about being one of the very few people with complications.

@@Nurse going to Mexico. Did the other RNs go to Mexico too? Living near the border myself in San Antonio, tx I would not take that risk. I have seen and heard of too many infections. And ur right, will ur ins cover after care for complications.

I had my band in 2004. I too am a nurse and a lot of the people I worked with were not supportive. You have to do what is right for you. I have never regretted having my surgery. The first ten years were great. My band slipped last year and now has to be removed and converted to a sleeve. I still am not sorry I had it done. I have my conversion on May 28th. I have only told my friends that have a band. I don't want to repeat the negative opinions this go around. We have to do what we feel is best for us. Don't let people make you second guess your decision. I was 244 lbs and lost to 137 lbs. there is no feeling in this world that can compare to that. Good luck.

Not going to Mexico, but wanted to comment on your support issue. This forum is great for support and there are also support groups every where to help. I don't know where you live, but you can find them all around. I have told very few people and some don't understand why I want to do this. I just tell them I'm doing it for me to make me happy.

@@LauriTX75 I'm not sure what that drug is.. but I hear ya....
If I could do it on my own I think I would have....
My husband is a pushing factor - in that he knows I'd feel better about myself once I'm smaller.
SW 189 CW 184 2 week pre-op - BMI 33 age 56

we are here to support you!!!

I want to join the buddy group too!! I have a BMI of 30-31. I am 5'3 and currently weigh 174. I am self pay in Mexico on June 1st, so I'll be able to report on my progress as a low BMi patient too.
Love reading everyone's comments and support as I really don't have that from my friends

I love hearing all these stories! So much of it is the same as mine! Highest weight was 265 and I did manage to drop some and keep it off but could not lose more and keep it off. I used to spend hours at the gym, swimming and lifting weights. I got pretty strong but no fat went away. I have the co-morbidities ( hate that word, makes me feel like I am dying), did the 6 months record of food and activities.......I lost 7 pounds in 6 months! That added to my depression! I worked so hard and the results were practically nil. My PCP says my metabolism is shot and has been pushing me for a decade to do this! I looked into it years ago and Blue Cross said NO WAY. I got heavier, felt guiltier about it, developed more problems and now we have different insurance!
After so many diets for so many years, I am tired of listening to other people, especially when I have learned enough about Bariatric surgery to know most of what they say is really wrong! I tried it myself for decades without asking for help, now I am asking! My husband had a DS in 2013, he was insulin defendant, his stomach stopped working from the diabetes and he was getting bad nerve damage from it, too. Things were going downhill fast for him. His best option for any kind of health was the DS and he took it. About 150 lbs later he is in great health and feels terrific. There is no better proof for me!
As for telling other people, I have told plenty of people I work with and they are surprised I am big enough but are really supportive. Maybe it is because #1 I work in a hospital and #2 they have all seen me drenched in sweat after very little activity or just because it is humid! I have not told my family (in an other state) but I will at the last moment. They did not really understand my husband's surgery very well, they still think it was some kind of diet! Since the Dr. will also be fixing a hernia for me I will tell them it is surgery for that and later tell them the rest. My Mom is 90 and worries about EVERYTHING, so I kind of hate to add to that............ It is a conundrum!
For all the nay-sayers, I say mind your own business and health problems and let me mind mine!!!!!!!
Getting excited and it is hard to wait!