Hi there, After many months of doctor's appts, nut appts, etc. I am now finally approved to have my VSG. I have been calling my insurance company 3 times a day for a week to find out if I was approved. My surgery date is March 28th at 8am. That is a whole 5 weeks away and how am I going to sleep knowing I am going to have major surgery and is it really needed. Everyone says, Sheila you are not big enough to have surgery. But my BMI is 40 and how big do I need to be to have it done? I am so scared but also excited. I read this forum daily and everyone is such an inspiration. I need some support from all of you that I am doing the correct thing. Thanks so much for listening. Sheila

you really can't go by what otheres say. You are doing this for your health not the health of anyone other than yourself. I wish you all of the luck in the world. You will do fine and before long you will be on the losing bench with us..

My BMI is 40 also and I am hearing the same thing from my co-workers...their like what? You don't look big enough to have WLS...I guess it's just the misconception that you have to super obese and not be able to move before you should consider this route! However they are wrong I have struggled all my life with weight loss, lose a few pounds here and gain it back there! I hope and pray that this I'd the end and I can finally feel normal even though I'm not sure what normal feels like...lol

You and me both! I kind of wish I'd never told anyone I'm about to have it. My BMI isn't even 40. I think we're supposed to waddle in a room, use a cane, have a heart attack, wear mumus, drive a van with huge arms hanging out, to qualify in many of our friends' eyes for this procedure! I wish I had my date. In fact, YOU have the date I'm hoping for! What insurance did you have that approved this inside a week? Way to go!!!!!

Hi there, After many months of doctor's appts, nut appts, etc. I am now finally approved to have my VSG. I have been calling my insurance company 3 times a day for a week to find out if I was approved. My surgery date is March 28th at 8am. That is a whole 5 weeks away and how am I going to sleep knowing I am going to have major surgery and is it really needed. Everyone says, Sheila you are not big enough to have surgery. But my BMI is 40 and how big do I need to be to have it done? I am so scared but also excited. I read this forum daily and everyone is such an inspiration. I need some support from all of you that I am doing the correct thing. Thanks so much for listening. Sheila

I'm also BMI of 40, and people dont think I am big enough to have the surgery. Even my parents who, while they wont say so, dont respond if I say something about it, so I know they dont think I am big enough.

Oh well, like we say, we are doing it for our own health. And, at least my wife is supportive. And, I know my daughter will be glad I did when she gets old enough to understand what happened and why it happened.

Also, I know I will really start to get scared once I get a surgery date, and def the day of. I've already told my wife that its her job to remind me why I am doing this and to gently coax me into the car the day of the surgery!

You and me both! I kind of wish I'd never told anyone I'm about to have it. My BMI isn't even 40. I think we're supposed to waddle in a room, use a cane, have a heart attack, wear mumus, drive a van with huge arms hanging out, to qualify in many of our friends' eyes for this procedure! I wish I had my date. In fact, YOU have the date I'm hoping for! What insurance did you have that approved this inside a week? Way to go!!!!!

Haha..^that made me laugh out loud! I am glad I am not to the mumu stage just yet, but am headed that way if it weren't for this surgery!

To the OP...My BMI is 40 also and I am ready, but not everyone thinks it's a great idea. They don't live in my body though and I know it is right for me right now.

Good luck to you and congrats on your approval.

My BMI was 41 when I had the VSG. I hurt everyday. Minor movements like rolling over in bed, sitting on the couch, or taking laundry upstairs hurt so bad. After the surgery, I feel awesome. I am down 44 lbs in 2 months. I no longer crave carbs , and the smallest amounts fill me up. The hardest part of this surgery for me was realizing that the old habits were gone, and it was time to make new ones.

You will do great. Keep reading the board, and ask ?'s as much as you need to. We all did!

I am BMI ~38-39 but I was (1) easily and readily referred by my PCP to the bariatric program, (2) approved straightaway by insurance (though that is no longer even necessary), and (3) enthusiastically encouraged by the bariatric physician, the surgeon, my gynecologist, and even my ENT.

Yeah, some of my American friends think I am "not big enough" -- but in a country full of slim, healthy people (who smoke a lot lol), I am definitely big enough.

Only two more days. I'm sorta freaking out...

The hard thing about weight is that everyone carries differently.

It's up to you in the end. If this is what YOU want, then go for it!

Hi there, After many months of doctor's appts, nut appts, etc. I am now finally approved to have my VSG. I have been calling my insurance company 3 times a day for a week to find out if I was approved. My surgery date is March 28th at 8am. That is a whole 5 weeks away and how am I going to sleep knowing I am going to have major surgery and is it really needed. Everyone says, Sheila you are not big enough to have surgery. But my BMI is 40 and how big do I need to be to have it done? I am so scared but also excited. I read this forum daily and everyone is such an inspiration. I need some support from all of you that I am doing the correct thing. Thanks so much for listening. Sheila

I found 2 kinds of co workers who said that to me.

The first type was the person who was just trying to be nice,

The second were those that were threatened in some form by my losing weight. I think they thought if they were not as big as me than they were ok.

The nice people have been 100 percent supportive and give me compliments, the threatened people either don't talk to me about my weight loss or went on crash diets.

Three months later I am still eating well and losing, they are not.

Bottom line, this was for ME and no one else. I was sick of feeling gross, tired, back pain ect.............

Now I look in the mirror and I LIKE what I see and I feel one hundred percent better!

My starting BMI as 38 .

The hard thing about weight is that everyone carries differently.

It's up to you in the end. If this is what YOU want, then go for it!

Thank you everyone for the supportive words of encouragement. It really does help. I am now trying to find out if I can have a tubal with the VSG. Anyone have any experience with this?

Hi Sheila....

My BMI is 37....I have only told my oldest daughter and my significant other about my surgery. I just didn't feel the need to share this with people who would more than likely judge or say negative things.

My surgery is this Friday, and I am scared! This forum has been so helpful, especially this last week before my surgery date!

You'll do great! You know in your heart what is right for YOU!!

I am so happy for you! What a wonderful day! Congratulations!

My BMI was 37. I had diabetes. My highest weight was close to 250. But you could not tell I was that big by looking at me. I had my surgery Dec 1st. I have already lost a total 54 pounds (both pre and post op). My BMI is currently 30.7. I feel great and am looking great. I still want to lose another 40-50 to get me a normal range. This was the best decision I ever did and wish I had started this earlier but my insurance just started covering the sleeve this year. Good Luck.

Congratulations!! Im having my sleeve tommorrow & super scared. But I totally understand you. I walked into my surgeon and even he gave me the up and down. He didnt even think my BMI was 41. Im 6ft 2 and must carry it well because thats pretty much the standard response, " you dont look that big" " oh at least your in proportion" blah blah blah, my feet hurt, my back hurts and my pride hurts I dont care if I dont look like a candidate, I feel like a candidate.

Good luck to you and all the best with your surgery!

xoxo Holly xoxox

Hi Sheila....

My BMI is 37....I have only told my oldest daughter and my significant other about my surgery. I just didn't feel the need to share this with people who would more than likely judge or say negative things.

My surgery is this Friday, and I am scared! This forum has been so helpful, especially this last week before my surgery date!

You'll do great! You know in your heart what is right for YOU!!

Hi there

Wishing you all the best for thr surgery and keep us posted on your progress.

Take care.