LowBMISleever

Hi all, This group is pretty buried within the forums, so I can see how I missed it until now (and I can also see why it's pretty inactive). I would have really liked to read a story like mine from someone else while I was researching the sleeve surgery. So, here's my story and I hope it helps someone. I would love to hear from anyone and try to pump some life into this forum! I'm a newbie, just 12 days post-op, so I am still learning everyday and ask the veterans dumb questions all the time. But I still think my experience just coming to terms with knowing the sleeve was for me might help another low BMIer in a similar situation. I'm 31 years old, 5'6" and started at 180lbs (29 BMI). I had a lot of backlash from friends and family when I made my mind up to go forward with this, but ultimately everyone ended up being supportive after they realized there was no talking me out of it and the surgery was done. For low BMIers wondering if the sleeve is too drastic for them, I'll tell you it's a personal choice and a lifelong commitment. That being said, I was a major yo-yo dieter. I binged on food for weeks, gain 35 pounds, then went vegan cold turkey (cold tofu? Lol). Lost 30lbs. Then went on a binge, gained 40lbs, then did Atkins (extreme difference from vegan), lost 35lbs. I've been repeating this cycle of bingeing then dieting (insert any fad diet here: HCG diet, Orange Theory obsession, phentermine, personal trainer 3x, vegetarian, back to Atkins, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers...) since I was 12 years old. Anyway, the highs got higher and I never made it back to my pre-binge numbers. I got exhausted from dieting. Frustrated with myself and my lack of impulse control. I looked into WLS. My mom is the same as I am, just add another 100lbs. I went with her to a weight loss seminar and learned about the sleeve. I was ready to sign up then and there; finally, I found something that could be a real tool to help me maintain a healthy weight for life - you can't binge if you can only eat a half a cup of food at a time! Unfortunately, the US healthcare system wanted me to be a 35 BMI to get the surgery. And, if I wanted to waste a couple years of my life, I guarantee I would've made it there, and I would have brought along my new friends diabetes, high BP, and joint pain. Instead, I researched getting the sleeve in Mexico where I could pay a fraction of the cost of surgery in the US, and they were willing to do the surgery within 2 weeks of my filling out paperwork and a deposit for just about anyone BMI 28 or higher. I went w/ Dr. Ortiz at OCC. I was THRILLED with the entire experience. When I arrived in Mexico I began having doubts, but the staff and the other patients put me at ease. There were several very low BMI patients with my same issues. An interesting fact the surgeon told me is that once you gain 30 pounds the likelihood of you losing the weight and keeping it off without surgery is 10%. I already knew I didn't fall into that 10%. So I did it on 7/22/16. After my pre-op diet (which was absolutely the hardest part of this entire process!), I weighed 173 pounds on date of surgery. I'm 12 days out and weigh 163lbs now. I really think that being low BMI and healthy were 2 major reasons I had such an easy surgery. Aside from a little nausea caused by the anesthesia (I never threw up, just felt icky for about an hour) and getting the gas out, I had no complications. My incisions are all tiny. I have no pain in my abdomen. I'm a stomach sleeper and can sleep on my stomach. I was only on pain meds a couple days past surgery (and I just took what I was told, not sure I even had any pain ever). Getting 64oz of liquid in the first 2 days didn't happen for me, but as soon as I could introduce the Protein Shakes, this process became totally workable. I'm currently drinking 3 Premier Protein drinks p/day and get 90g of Protein per day. I drink 48oz of regular Water and 16oz of Vitamin water. I enjoy tomato Soup with almond milk and yogurt drinks (the yogurt adds another 12g of protein, bringing my count up to 102g) as my Snacks. I mix my Vitamins with the soup and the yogurt, because I'm not supposed to take them as pills yet. The biggest issues for me are mental. At this point, I haven't had solid food yet, so I just miss eating. I get to start my pureed phase on 8/5, so I'll let you know how it goes. I'm very excited for cottage cheese, poached eggs and the ricotta bake! My dr's goal for me is 150lbs, because that puts me in the healthy BMI range, but my goal is 130lbs. Here's my before shot, I'm going to update it on the 22nd of each month: Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just take 2 flintstone complete vitamins once a day. My health is perfect, my numbers are perfect, all hair loss has reversed and my hair is thicker than it used to be! Things I can’t do anymore: -drink soda out of a can quickly - but I can sip on it over ice just like anyone else.👌 -drink alcohol heavily or quickly - unless I don’t want to remember the night 🤦🏼‍♀️ -binge on large quantities of carbs/sugar without throwing up🙌🏻 Hope you’re feeling well! I remember it took me 3 months to feel energy, 6 months to feel normal, and 1 year to wish I had more restriction again lol.

this one is great

Hey all! I had to figure out what my password was to get back on here!!! My update: I’m over 2 years out from surgery. I can eat whatever I want in moderation. I definitely can overeat the wrong foods now. I try to eat mostly keto (high fat, low carb, no sugar). I weighed 132lbs this morning. My lowest I believe was 121lbs. I have to diet to weight under 128. My body’s happy weight is 130. I still want to binge occasionally. And occasionally I do. But bingeing post surgery is very different than presurgery. It’s 2 slices (maybe) of pizza and a dessert 2 hours later. Sugar still hits my stomach like a ton of bricks. Carbs fill me up like a balloon was inflated in my stomach. When I eat healthy, I feel amazing. I can eat just about the same amount of food as my friends when we go out to dinner. I’ll skip the bread, have a few bites of salad, then be able to eat almost all the protein on the plate, a few bites of the veggie side and then I’m done. I don’t get dessert. I’ll tell you what I don’t like. I can’t drink like I used to. I thought I’d eventually be able to have 4 glasses of wine and be okay, but I’m now. After #2 I’m drunk, and I’m blacked out if I drink more than 3. My friends are heavy drinkers and this has been a bit of a problem. I have to tell them I can only have 2. That’s really the only thing that’s affected my life negatively. Here’s my most recent after. It’s from 2 weeks ago. Please let me know if you have any other questions this surgery is still the best thing I ever did!!!!

I don't think the 2 week pre-op diet got any easier. I just had to stay home and keep myself busy trying not to think about food. The only thing that made things easier was being post-op! Stick it out, it's not forever!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

...last selfie before I sabotaged my diet lol So happy to be back on track! But man I miss the bushwhackers... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So it was my 6 month surgiversary, and I went to a wedding in the Keys (spent 4 days there). Ate what was served in a grazing-style all day, every day and drank to my heart's content (rum punch, wine, bushwhackers, margaritas). I did not work out. Overall, I was absolutely horrible. I gained 5 pounds. Got right back on the wagon yesterday, but WOW have I been hungry. Totally not worth it. I'm down 2 lbs already, but I'm irritable, hungry and mad at myself. Anyway, just a reminder that the surgery does NOT do all the work for us. It's just a tool. We have to use it. Just sharing Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I feel really guilty. A nice guy asked me out on a dinner date for tomorrow, and I made up a rather elaborate story about how I can't eat because I had surgery for polyps in my stomach and was on a liquid diet because the surgeon had to remove a portion of my stomach (I know, what was I thinking!!). He quipped that it sounds like I had gastric bypass. I laughed it off and said I didn't... Which isn't exactly a lie because I was sleeved . (I must have turned 18 shades of red when he said that.) Anyone out there have experience with this?? It's just a first date, it might lead to nothing. But let's say I end up with this guy, or some other guy, and I start out with a lie like this. Do I never reveal my secret? Does it make me seem like I'm dishonest or will he eventually understand if I choose to reveal it down the road? I'm normally such an open book, but I think this is SO embarrassing to tell someone you're dating. It's complicated further with the fact that all my friends and family know, so it could eventually come out accidentally in conversation. What would you do? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Remember, your pre-surgery diet will have you losing around 10 pounds before you even have the surgery! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We lose a lot the first month - like 10-15. Then maybe 7 - 10 the next month. Then 5 - 10. It's not really an average - the farther out from surgery you are, the less you lose. I'm basically 6 months out, and I lost 3 pounds last month - BUT I'm also at goal. Everything I'm losing now is just icing on the cake. Just plan to stick to your meal plan and exercise the first 6 months & you'll get to goal within those months as long as you have less than 70 pounds to lose. I lost 55 and only had 50 to lose. Just my experience though Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

#noregrets Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Do not, have not & will not EVER regret this surgery! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Cheers to you @@hats123 !!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

There's no point to a food funeral in my opinion. Get on track now, lose the weight, get to goal. Make working out a habit in your life and enjoy delicious food you love AFTER you hit goal. I'm below my goal. I work out 5-7x a week. On New Year's I had a glass of Moet, 6 oysters and a couple bites of truffled lobster Mac n cheese. I finished the night off with 2 dark chocolate truffles. You'll be satisfied completely and won't feel like you're missing out on anything. The next morning I worked it off at the gym and got right back to my usual food program (2 premier Protein shakes, a Quest bar and 2 3 oz meals of a protein and a cheese). No need for funerals when you're starting a new life! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey all!! Since my last post, I've changed careers, bought a house and completely changed my life!! Quick check in: I'm now 125 lbs, losing about 4 pounds a month at almost 6 months. I still work out religiously and can almost see abs. This surgery is the best thing that EVER happened to me! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@bellamia1359 my doc said no to vitamin patches. After the first month, I switched to Flintstones Complete chewables and life was much happier . When I was fresh out of surgery, I dumped the contents of my Calcium pills into my drinkable yogurt. Didn't even know I was taking them and the yogurt went down great. Take your time moving onto new foods, it takes a while for your tummy's inflammation to go down. I found that Fage yogurt mixed with a little Stevia, melted cheese mixed with some low sugar marinara sauce, and string cheese eaten VERY slowly were the only "solids" I could stand for a while. Good luck and take it easy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App @@bellamia1359 my doc said no to Vitamin Patches. After the first month, I switched to Flintstones Complete chewables and life was much happier . When I was fresh out of surgery, I dumped the contents of my calcium pills into my drinkable yogurt. Didn't even know I was taking them and the yogurt went down great. Take your time moving onto new foods, it takes a while for your tummy's inflammation to go down. I found that Fage yogurt mixed with a little Stevia, melted cheese mixed with some low sugar marinara sauce, and string cheese eaten VERY slowly were the only "solids" I could stand for a while. Good luck and take it easy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My bad on being late everyone!!! I'm buying a house and the lender has me running like a chicken with her head cut off to find all my records! I completely lost track of time. So, today is October 28th. I had my surgery July 22nd, which makes me almost exactly 14 weeks out! Stats: HW:180 SW:173 CW:136!! GW:125-130? On September 28th I have my weight recorded at 142.6 and today I've got 136.0, which puts my month 3 loss at 6.6 pounds! Again, I have to say I'm thrilled with this number. If I lost 6.6 pounds next month, that would mean I made goal at week 18 post op!!! I don't foresee that though. I'm very close to goal and am now starting to lift heavy weights to create more muscle. I will be very happy with a 3 pound loss next month. Right now, I'm paying more attention to measurements and body fat. I started at (I'm pretty sure) 41% body fat, and am now down to 21%!!!!! The ultimate goal is under 20%. hair Loss: None Loose Skin: None Scarring: 2 "big" scars next to belly button are visible but still shrinking. Boobs: Gone lol Energy Level: Through the Roof! Calories: 700-800 Vitamins: Flintstones Complete 2x a day; Calcium/Vit D 2x a day; B12/Folic Acid 1x a day, probiotic 1x p/ day Protein/Carbs/fats: 90+/ 10 or less/do not count, eat full fat everything Fluids: 64+ (regular coffee, propel, Vitamin Water zero, water at the gym...I still hate water). Stomach Capacity: still about 2 oz of meat. I can eat 18 raw oysters during a 2 hour restaurant meal though . Normal food in a day: 7:00am Coffee mixed w: Premier Protein (before gym) 10:00am Quest Protein Bar 1:00pm 2 Suzie's Thin Cakes with 1/3 cup melted cheese and 70 cals worth of guacamole on top (YUM!) 5:00pm 2 oz of something raw - salmon sashimi, tuna tartare, oysters - or 1 serving of almonds. 8:00pm 1 Suzie's Thin Cake with Smart Balance Butter and 2 tbsp PB2. If I feel extra hungry (like during cycle), I'll take a Fage yogurt and mix it with PB2, 10 almonds and a little stevia for the world's most creamy, crunchy & delicious Peanut Butter high Protein treat!! Enjoying my sleeve so much!!! But, like I always say, this process is soooooo not about getting down to goal, it's about STAYING there! So, reaching goal is only step 1 in this process!! I'll attach pics in my next post and will try to do better in getting my November post on the 22nd!! Congrats to everyone on this journey & good luck to all making their decision about moving forward with the sleeve. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I love this so much that I had to share! CAUTION: I tolerate this snack very well as my before-bed snack, but I'm also right about at goal weight. I wouldn't recommend this treat until you're near or at your goal as it could be a trigger food for you if you love Peanut Butter. But, if you're on the regular food phase, can keep it to 2 and it adds something wonderful after you've eaten your daily requirement of Protein, then ENJOY! Easy Light Peanut Butter Crackers 97 Calories 3.5g protein 6.5g carbs 5.75g fat 0.5g sugar 3 Ingredients: PB2 - 1tbsp, split (it's a half serving) 22 cals .75g fat 1.5g carb 2.5g protein 0.5g sugar Smart balance Light W/ flaxseed oil - 1 tablespoon, split 50 cals 5g fat 0g carb 0g protein 0g sugar Susie's Thin Cakes - 2 crackers 25 cals 5g carb 1g protein 0g sugar 0g fat Take 2 Suzie's Thin Cakes and butter each with Smart Balance Light. Sprinkle PB2 on top of each buttered cracker and, voila! You've satisfied your need for something buttery, crunchy and savory without ruining your diet. You can give this a protein boost by using the full serving of PB2 (2 tablespoons). This tastes BETTER than peanut butter to me! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Love to hear our lowBMIers killing it!! I'm in the 130's now - first time since college! Keep up the good work everyone!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm about 3 months post op. I just want all the salt. Sweet grosses me out now. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Nausea goes away pretty quickly! Walk, sip, walk, sip!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So, I'm in West Palm and we are experiencing Hurricane Matthew. Had to make some preparations, and thought almonds would be a good nonperishable choice... Annnd now I know salted almonds are my gateway drug can't. Stop. Eating. Almonds. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Those are the one I'm at the gym now. Was only up 4 oz, but I'm totally type A crazy about this weight loss situation! 10 pounds from goal and I AM MAKING IT!!! ???? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You look amazing!! The better we look & more we lose, the more we turn into perfectionists! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Slept right through the hurricane. It jogged northeast, so the worst of it missed us. @@mrsNilla I'm actually in Wellington! I didn't even lose power but I think some in the very south portion of Wellington did. Thanks for everyone's concern. I'm dumping my almonds outside for the squirrels, because I'm clearly not responsible enough to have them in my house! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App