Hello Everyone,

I am hoping to have VSG in the coming months. I am in the process of my pre-op assessments and these all take time! They also follow very strict International Guidelines and are not willing to recommend surgery with a BMI under 40 unless there you have significant co-morbidities. I am just about borderline! I will be self-pay.

I am interested in hearing from others who had starting BMI's in or around mine, and to hear how you are doing.

In particular, I would like to know what results you are getting and whether or not you have any regrets?

Look forward to hearing your stories,

Thanks,

Bookleen

I was self pay. My starting BMI was 35.8. Only high blood pressure that is well controlled on meds. I've lost 30 pounds in 2 months (today!). Not one regret. In fact I'm very happy. I'm losing weight without a struggle or feeling deprived. I'm 59 years old.

Good luck!

I was 37.1 BMI and self-pay. My surgeon also follows the guidelines and required 2 co-morbidities. I had high blood pressure, so that was one. For the second one we had to get a little more creative. I had higher than normal cholesterol, the program coordinator asked me if I ever had joint pain, and of course, EVER encompasses a lot, so that was a yes. I was able to get surgery within about a month of making the decision.

Hi Bookleen,

I started at 33. Wasn't enough for my insurance to cover plus they had a one year program that needed to be followed before they would even consider a patient for surgery.

I have had no regrets. I do miss food - was more mentally addicted than I knew. However am rarely hungry and so far can eat anything I want. I am missing salad alot tho and will be anxious to add it back eventually.

Good for you for being "creative" : ) Sometimes that is necessary! The sleeve is so very easy - it is just amazing!

Brookleen

My starting BMI was 33, I'm now at 24. I was also self pay, I did not have a high enough BMI and no co-morbidities.

Where are you having your surgery? And when are you planning to do it? Good luck and keep us posted!!

I was self pay. My starting BMI was 35.8. Only high blood pressure that is well controlled on meds. I've lost 30 pounds in 2 months (today!). Not one regret. In fact I'm very happy. I'm losing weight without a struggle or feeling deprived. I'm 59 years old.

Good luck!

Hello Firefly, and Thanks for your reply.

2 stone in 2 months! Well Done!

You make it sound easy.

I hope I am accepted for surgery.

Regards,

Bookleen

I was 37.1 BMI and self-pay. My surgeon also follows the guidelines and required 2 co-morbidities. I had high blood pressure, so that was one. For the second one we had to get a little more creative. I had higher than normal cholesterol, the program coordinator asked me if I ever had joint pain, and of course, EVER encompasses a lot, so that was a yes. I was able to get surgery within about a month of making the decision.

Hello JaneP,

Thanks for your reply. I also have high blood lipids and arthritis.

I attended a dietician and she was telling me I had other options and didn't necessarily require surgery. I turned a deaf ear to her suggestions.

I don't want any more failed diets!

I hope this will finally give me the success I have been waiting for.

Regards,

Bookleen

Hi Bookleen,

I started at 33. Wasn't enough for my insurance to cover plus they had a one year program that needed to be followed before they would even consider a patient for surgery.

I have had no regrets. I do miss food - was more mentally addicted than I knew. However am rarely hungry and so far can eat anything I want. I am missing salad alot tho and will be anxious to add it back eventually.

Good for you for being "creative" : ) Sometimes that is necessary! The sleeve is so very easy - it is just amazing!

Hello,

I totally relate to being addicted to food. I think I could "kill" to eat.

I am wondering what do you do instead of eating?

You are only 6 weeks or so since surgery and seem to be doing so well.

Regards,

Bookleen

After 9 months of work and losing 130 pounds, I am down to a 36 BMI. But, for me, that is very much like being skinny. I doubt if I will go much lower.

Brookleen

My starting BMI was 33, I'm now at 24. I was also self pay, I did not have a high enough BMI and no co-morbidities.

Where are you having your surgery? And when are you planning to do it? Good luck and keep us posted!!

Hello FabBy50,

Thanks for your reply.

I live in Ireland and the sleeve is so new here. There are a number of foreign companies offering pre-op and post-op care here in Ireland with the surgery abroad. I know they will accept me and they are cheaper.

However, I am attending an Irish company that use local dieticians, psychologists and surgeon. The actual surgery is going to be abroad, but I would be very happy to have their support and blessing.

I would also like to get a sick cert for work too!

Regards,

Bookleen

After 9 months of work and losing 130 pounds, I am down to a 36 BMI. But, for me, that is very much like being skinny. I doubt if I will go much lower.

Congratulations on losing 130 lbs.

That is certainly a great achievement. Well Done!

Perhaps, you will continue to lose some more. It's great that you feel good. Hopefully you will continue to feel well and not regain any of it. Does your surgeon expect you to lose any more?

Strangely enough I don't feel well at a BMI of 36. I feel tired all the time and very restrained in movement. I don't have the confidence to start another diet....and fail yet again.

Regards,

Bookleen

Strangely enough I don't feel well at a BMI of 36. I feel tired all the time and very restrained in movement. I don't have the confidence to start another diet....and fail yet again.

Regards,

Bookleen

Its not strange to me. I felt crappy at the same BMI. I woke up tired, it was a struggle to get my socks on, tie my shoes or cut my toe nails. I had trouble keeping up with my walking buddies even though they are 10 & 15 years older then me. Just the 30 pounds gone has made a big difference.

My quality of life was really suffering. Being blah and depressed all the time is not a good way to be.

I also didn't have the motivation to start yet another diet. I kept trying but just couldn't mange to get started.

Its not strange to me. I felt crappy at the same BMI. I woke up tired, it was a struggle to get my socks on, tie my shoes or cut my toe nails. I had trouble keeping up with my walking buddies even though they are 10 & 15 years older then me. Just the 30 pounds gone has made a big difference.

My quality of life was really suffering. Being blah and depressed all the time is not a good way to be.

I also didn't have the motivation to start yet another diet. I kept trying but just couldn't mange to get started.

Hi FireFly,

I totally relate to everything you are saying!

My question now is how are you doing with the 30 lbs gone but still only eating 6-800 Cals a day? Have you got any energy to walk with your friends with such a small amount of food?

I am particularly sedentary at the moment and from reading these boards it appears to me that everyone is making a great effort to keep moving once they have had their surgery.

This must be difficult?

Regards,

Bookleen

Actually I have lots of energy. When you start burning fat instead of carbs for fuel you get energized. The low calories are not a problem at all as long as you keep the Protein up and carbs down.

I have been walking 2-3 miles 6 days a week for almost 2 years so I was already used to that. I walk faster now and don't huff and puff as much. At the moment I walk 3 days a week and workout at Curves 3 days.

You might want to incorporate some walking into your day now.

My question now is how are you doing with the 30 lbs gone but still only eating 6-800 Cals a day? Have you got any energy to walk with your friends with such a small amount of food?

I am particularly sedentary at the moment and from reading these boards it appears to me that everyone is making a great effort to keep moving once they have had their surgery.

This must be difficult?

My BMI is 36.6 now and I am miserable. I've been approved at a couple of clinics in Mexico--I am self-pay. I gained 50 lbs in the last year and cannot believe the deterioration in my quality of life. I also have fibromyalgia so with more weight comes more pain. Looking forward to my surgery and will post details when the time comes.

My BMI is 36.6 now and I am miserable. I've been approved at a couple of clinics in Mexico--I am self-pay. I gained 50 lbs in the last year and cannot believe the deterioration in my quality of life. I also have fibromyalgia so with more weight comes more pain. Looking forward to my surgery and will post details when the time comes.

Hello KZol,

Good luck on your journey.

I hope it all works out for you.

Bookleen