First I just want to tell everyone how helpful this site, forum,blog is to those of us that are just finding it. I am a self pay, and having surgery with Dr. Alvarez on March 13th....I'm so excited! I do have a low BMI and knew insurance would never pay for me to have, what I'm considering to be (or at least hoping) a life changing choice. I have about 55 - 60 lbs to lose, but want to do this before I have 100 to lose. I have read so many times on here that the only wish would be to have had the surgery sooner. I have fought the yo-yo diets for years and I'm just ready to not have that worry on my mind 24/7. As i am preparing mentally for my surgery I often wonder what life will feel like on the other side, or "loser bench" as its called. I would love to hear input from anyone with a low bmi and what your surgery experience has been. Have you lost what you were hoping to lose. Again, I want to tell you all thank you so much. My husband is the ONLY person that knows about the planned surgery. The only reason I'm not telling anyone is because I have lost the weight so many times only to put it plus an extra 5 so many times. I don't want to feel like a failure once again. This site is my support and salvation right now....THANK YOU!!!!

TOTALLY WORTH IT!! I'm 5'8.5", weighed 211 on surgery day and now weigh 181.5 a bit over two months out. I feel great and am half-way to goal. This is the best thing I've every done for myself. I'm happy for you.

Thanks BrainyBabe!

I'm excited but a bit nervous. Did anyone tell you that you were crazy for doing this? Haha

Hi I'm 30 I 5'5 weight 209 pound bmi of 34.6 looking forward to doing this surgery to see if I could get my happy back. Lol I have not ONE supportive family member including my husband ( he thinks I'm just freaking lazy) and due to the lack of understanding, I have been yes and no on this surgery, one minute yes one minute no. And is truly based on their opinions not mine.but I'm miserable, to the point that my marriage is in jeopardy and I'm turning into a hermit. I've lost my self confidence, my self esteem and going to the gym is agonizing. I'm having a hard time getting through this but I seriously need to have this surgery. I'm scared and anxious of it because I have a little girl and it makes me feel bad and guilty that I'm putting myself in danger due to being somewhat shallow and wanting to be skinny. My little girl is thick too and I don't wish this self doubt, confidence lacking, can't look in the mirror way of living on my worst enemy... So I really don't want her to ever feel like that either. So I'm stuck do I do it out of vanity and own it, or not do it keep struggling being unhappy until I completely breakdown but everyone else will be happy with my decision to not do it. Smh

I'm 55 and I'm a low BMI'er also. Extremely slow loser, but sooooo happy with the sleeve, I'll take slow losing over yoyoin' eating and dieting my life away. Never hungry and sometimes I have to remind myself to eat... LOVE MY SLEEVE!

Hey low BMI sleevers! How is everyone doing? I'm 5'7 33ish bmi surgery with Dr Kelly on March 1st . So Low BMI'ers was it worth it??? thanks

I think so. I still have lingering doubts if this will work for me or not. I haven't had any problems, but I still enjoy eating and seem to be able to tolerate anything. My day of surgery weight was 179 and I am 161.4 now. Surgery was 1/18. I am only 5'2" and have gone from a 32 bmi to a 29 in 1 month.

I am stalling right now and hope to start losing again soon!

I'm 48, 5'10" and 250lbs, BMI 36. Just found out I have sleep apnea. I'm kind of glad for that, as it should help my insurance to cover. I just went to my PCP who I have known for over 20 years. (I have been his official patient for about 10 years). When I told him about the surgery he said "you only need to lose about 70 lbs....just don't eat bread!" Really? That's all I need to do???? But he also said "I'll support you in whatever you want to do" so he wrote the letter of medical necessity. Just don't eat bread... Classic!

Thanks BrainyBabe!

I'm excited but a bit nervous. Did anyone tell you that you were crazy for doing this? Haha

If you weren't nervous there would be something seriously wrong with you. :-o

I was a nervous wreck and asked the anesthesiologist to give me something for nerves. He basically knocked me out in my room and my next memory was being back in the room post-op. I don't remember the trip to the O.R, being in recovery, etc,

The procedure went smoothly and the worst part of the entire experience was the draiin. My doc always uses a drain but not all do. Does Dr. Kelley?

This is major surgery and the only thing you can do is research, ask questions, perform due diligence, etc. Then there's the final component: faith that everything will turn out as you expect.

Alexis

If you weren't nervous there would be something seriously wrong with you. :-o

I was a nervous wreck and asked the anesthesiologist to give me something for nerves. He basically knocked me out in my room and my next memory was being back in the room post-op. I don't remember the trip to the O.R, being in recovery, etc,

The procedure went smoothly and the worst part of the entire experience was the draiin. My doc always uses a drain but not all do. Does Dr. Kelley?

This is major surgery and the only thing you can do is research, ask questions, perform due diligence, etc. Then there's the final component: faith that everything will turn out as you expect.

Alexis

Hey! Yes I have done lots of research.. I've even read 6 books on WLS recently. It's more just nerves kicking in now. I had to go off my anxiety medication and that has been hard. I just need some encouragement! Dr.Kelly does not usually use a drain except for very high risk patients. My family is nervous but they support me. I keep getting the "why don't you just diet and exercise?" Yea right.. If that was the trick wouldn't everyone be skinny?? Bah.. So now I'm just fighting the nerves .. I fly out on Thursday!

HI all! So happy to have found this forum! My BMI is around 34 (depending on the scale). I am in the process of scheduling surgery, just waiting for the call back. Hopefully it will be Mid-April! My goal is to lose at least 70 pounds. Even though I work for a hospital that has one of the leading bariatric facilities in the country, our insurance refuses to pay for any WLS regardless of BMI or co-morbidities. I was diagnosed with PTC in September and all the only advice the docs can give is lose weight. Yeah, cuz I hadn't thought of that before... Anyone had surgery in Cancun?

HI all! So happy to have found this forum! My BMI is around 34 (depending on the scale). I am in the process of scheduling surgery' date=' just waiting for the call back. Hopefully it will be Mid-April! My goal is to lose at least 70 pounds. Even though I work for a hospital that has one of the leading bariatric facilities in the country, our insurance refuses to pay for any WLS regardless of BMI or co-morbidities. I was diagnosed with PTC in September and all the only advice the docs can give is lose weight. Yeah, cuz I hadn't thought of that before... Anyone had surgery in Cancun?[/quote']

ME!

I had surgery in Cancun, January 11. A little over 6 weeks ago.

Absolutely no regrets. Excellent experience.

Which Dr did you have in Cancun? I'm torn between two at the moment. Dr. Perez and Dr. Verboonen.

Which Dr did you have in Cancun? I'm torn between two at the moment. Dr. Perez and Dr. verboonen.

I went with Perez.

Hi I'm 30 I 5'5 weight 209 pound bmi of 34.6 looking forward to doing this surgery to see if I could get my happy back. Lol I have not ONE supportive family member including my husband ( he thinks I'm just freaking lazy) and due to the lack of understanding' date=' I have been yes and no on this surgery, one minute yes one minute no. And is truly based on their opinions not mine.but I'm miserable, to the point that my marriage is in jeopardy and I'm turning into a hermit. I've lost my self confidence, my self esteem and going to the gym is agonizing. I'm having a hard time getting through this but I seriously need to have this surgery. I'm scared and anxious of it because I have a little girl and it makes me feel bad and guilty that I'm putting myself in danger due to being somewhat shallow and wanting to be skinny. My little girl is thick too and I don't wish this self doubt, confidence lacking, can't look in the mirror way of living on my worst enemy... So I really don't want her to ever feel like that either. So I'm stuck do I do it out of vanity and own it, or not do it keep struggling being unhappy until I completely breakdown but everyone else will be happy with my decision to not do it. Smh[/quote']

It's normal to be nervous. Many people whom I respect tried talking me out of this. However, I was MISERABLE in my own skin, reclusive, grumpy and hating life.

I had this surgery more for the PSYCHOLOGICAL benefits than physical ones or vanity. most of my days were consumed with self-loathing, negative thoughts, etc. I had no health problems whatsoever, nor didi take meds for anything.

Having this surgery has been liberating mentally and I'm thrilled with my decision. I'm getting my mojo back and feel happier than ever.

The person living your life in your skin is YOU,

Good luck with your decision. .

Thank you brainy babe I appreciate your kind words.

Hi

Had a BMI of 38 when I started my prep diet, had my sleeve Jan. 7 with Dr. Pompa in Tijuana, and am down to a BMI of 32! Have lost total 33 lbs. with 44 to go and could not be happier. I am regaining my energy, my confidence, my self esteem, am looking at my future with a positive outlook once again. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

I'm so glad to see these posts of such large weight loss so quickly! I actually was (ok, still am) afraid that because I have a relatively low BMI at 34-35, the weight would come off slower! Each post I read makes me want April 20th to get here even faster!!!