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!!!!

Welcome! I am scheduled for the 19th too

Thanks for the welcome. The 19th will be a great day for us both. Hope you have a good experience and an easy recovery, Paigers.

Thanks for the welcome. The 19th will be a great day for us both. Hope you have a good experience and an easy recovery' date=' Paigers.[/quote']

Thank you...wishing you the same!!

Hello everyone,

I am super nervous about having the VSG done. I had the lapband installed in 2002 and removed January 2012. I had a lot of problems with the band, but fortunately it was reversible.

What concerns me about VSG is the irreversible nature. How did you deal with the concept of losing part of your stomach? It seems unnatural.

I've been yo-yo dieting since the age of 7, when I was put on my first diet.

I've lost all hope in losing weight on my own and am truly desperate. That being said, I'm nervous about voluntarily cutting up my body.

How did you deal with this concept? Also, how are all you low-BMI folks doing? How has your weight loss journey gone? How has your skin fared?

I welcome your thoughts/ comments/ experiences.

Thanks!

Alexis

It is not a big deal. Had my sleeve done in July. Have lost 63 pounds. It is wonderful.. Started at 230 and am down to 167. Gone from 3x shirts to Xl and large. Am in size 12 jeans. Lost a shoe size too. I have collar bones cross my legs and can paint my own toes. Life is good.

If you did a by pass the stomach is totally avoided. Much prefer the idea of having not to deal with the malisorbation issue. Make sure after surgery you walk to avoid any gas pains after surgery. Walk as soon as possible... Good luck. You will so wish you had done the surgery sooner!

holy crap i cant beleive i found this !!!. I have decided to have ths procedure. i have a BMI of 34 5'4 204 pounds and when i went to an information session... people looked disguted with me!!! like i should have been kicked out or like i was mocking them. i felt horrible. i want to do this surgery because im tired of my struggle and i will not wait noarround for comorbidities to show up at my door. im going to do it and be skinny and happy for once with myself image. i only told my husband and unfortunately will not be albe to tell noone else not even my dear father because i know he will freak out. (this make me sad)

but im going to do this!!! november thanksgiving 2012. im still reaserching doctors in Mexico but unfortunately Alvarez is out of my price range' date=' one down a few to go.... any sugestions?[/quote']

How are you today

Hello everyone,

As I type this I'm sitting in the airport heading to Mexico, and will be sleeved tomorrow.

I'm still pretty nervous but optimistic at the same time.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. I've been yo-yo dieting my entire life without long-term success.

Hopefully this will be *the* tool to help me overcome this issue once and for all.

Based on my research, feedback from group members, etc. this is the way to go. I haven't read any negative comments, nor have I come across anyone who regrets the decision.

Wil be thinking of my fellow December 19th sleevers!

Lexi

Hello everyone' date='

As I type this I'm sitting in the airport heading to Mexico, and will be sleeved tomorrow.

I'm still pretty nervous but optimistic at the same time.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. I've been yo-yo dieting my entire life without long-term success.

Hopefully this will be *the* tool to help me overcome this issue once and for all.

Based on my research, feedback from group members, etc. this is the way to go. I haven't read any negative comments, nor have I come across anyone who regrets the decision.

Wil be thinking of my fellow December 19th sleevers!

Lexi[/quote']

Good luck! I was sitting right where you are two weeks ago and I am doing great! If you want some extra support there is a secret fb page for dec sleevers. Just search lovemytwinboys and msg Kim to befriend you! Wonderful supportive group;)

First I just want to tell everyone how helpful this site' date=' 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!!!![/quote']

My 1st post & am a "light weight" at BMI of 33. My husband is supportive because he's seen me work so hard since age 24 to keep my wt under control. I have horrible genes & see my mom suffer so much at age 70. Have had NO support from PCP & Cardiologist. Both said "DO NOT DO THIS". Surgery scheduled for Dec 28th. Today my husband confides that he is VERY worried about surgery & wants to know if my life will be so different post-op that I will regret. There's no going back . . If things aren't what I expect. Do u have 2 chew food 30 times forever? Is it all really worth losing 60 lbs with this route?

My 1st post & am a "light weight" at BMI of 33. My husband is supportive because he's seen me work so hard since age 24 to keep my wt under control. I have horrible genes & see my mom suffer so much at age 70. Have had NO support from PCP & Cardiologist. Both said "DO NOT DO THIS". Surgery scheduled for Dec 28th. Today my husband confides that he is VERY worried about surgery & wants to know if my life will be so different post-op that I will regret. There's no going back . . If things aren't what I expect. Do u have 2 chew food 30 times forever? Is it all really worth losing 60 lbs with this route?

There is no regrets...

Your Food life will change but how bad is that. Your focus will not be eating and what to eat or what you can't eat.

Our doctor told us we would have to find another doctor, no help from him. I have not needed him either.

From the the minute I woke up from surgery I had no pain and have truly enjoy this new adventure. Surgery was last of July and as of today I have lost 70 pounds not much effort on my part. I had a sleeve in Mexico with dr Lopez. I have gone from 18-20 pants and jeans to large tops and 10-12 in jeans. I can cross my legs sit in any chair fit in a booth at a restaurant. My husband is going for the surgery in the summer. We share our food at restaurants or I order off the child's menu. Most places are good about that and you can always get a to go bag and have lunch next day.

Follow the directions about the slow addition of food back into your life. You will get tired of Protein drinks and soft foods but it isn't for ever. I use sugar free cool aide sticks added to bottled Water to get liquid in for a different taste. Make sure you eat your protein first. You can not eat fast and yes chew your food well. All things you should do anyway. Your new stomach, we all name them by the way, mine is Iron madam, will teach you what she likes and doesn't like. She will let you know fast when your full and the next bit will be a mistake. Learn to pay attention. You will like and dislike different things. I know weirded. There will be moments of passing wants but it your head not your stomach saying want. Avoid breads, no soda both these make your stomach swell. At some point you can add these but only small amounts. I didn't care for pop much anyway but with pizza enjoy a sip. Love pastry and yes now I eat or rather take bits. Just share.

Join the Facebook secret page for sleeve. Ours is summer sleevers but we are open to all. Look for me on fb and I will add you. Carolyn sue ellis. I get such support and great info from them. We are family. Good luck. You will not regret it. I promise. Your health will thank you. So will your husband when it is over.

Carolyn

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Anyone who says they've read of no negative experiences or regrets hasn't been reading much. Currently there are three people I can quickly think of on this forum who are in hospital because the sleeve surgery has had huge negative effects on them. Much as it did me. I was bed ridden for 60 days, in hospital 22, nearly died of a collapsed lung they couldn't get under control, internal bleeding, seizures, blood clots, etc. Negative effects? I was low BMI, no comorbidities, have had surgery in the past and it was always a breeze. I was as low risk as you can get and I almost died. This is NOT an uncommon story!

No it's not worth it. The other day I was flying to alaska for a party and my seven year old son asked me not to go to the doctor while I was there because he didn't want me to stay there forever. I put that fear in him having this stupid surgery. We were apart so long when I was in hospital that he fears leaving me. He worries I'll die or I'm sick if I take a nap or sleep late. I did that to him Not to mention the excruciating pain and torture I went through during those days. I am not a cryer and I cried most of them. I cried if they pricked me with a needle and I used to be able to do that myself and had no issues with it. I almost lost my stomach all together.

For 60lbs...it's not worth it. I have deep regrets about what I did to my body and my family. The worry I put them through was terrible. I was so wrong to have this surgery. Yes I've lost weight. No it's NOT worth it!!

Oh and did I mention the money? Twenty grand to be put through the torture, then another almost half a mill in care afterwards to save my life. Normally for elective surgery, especially surgery done out of the country, that's not covered by your insurance (mine was done in the states and only covered because it was necessary to save my life...we have very generous insurance, most don't).

Anyone who says they've read of no negative experiences or regrets hasn't been reading much. Currently there are three people I can quickly think of on this forum who are in hospital because the sleeve surgery has had huge negative effects on them. Much as it did me. I was bed ridden for 60 days' date=' in hospital 22, nearly died of a collapsed lung they couldn't get under control, internal bleeding, seizures, blood clots, etc. Negative effects? I was low BMI, no comorbidities, have had surgery in the past and it was always a breeze. I was as low risk as you can get and I almost died. This is NOT an uncommon story!

No it's not worth it. The other day I was flying to alaska for a party and my seven year old son asked me not to go to the doctor while I was there because he didn't want me to stay there forever. I put that fear in him having this stupid surgery. We were apart so long when I was in hospital that he fears leaving me. He worries I'll die or I'm sick if I take a nap or sleep late. I did that to him <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Not to mention the excruciating pain and torture I went through during those days. I am not a cryer and I cried most of them. I cried if they pricked me with a needle and I used to be able to do that myself and had no issues with it. I almost lost my stomach all together.

For 60lbs...it's not worth it. I have deep regrets about what I did to my body and my family. The worry I put them through was terrible. I was so wrong to have this surgery. Yes I've lost weight. No it's NOT worth it!!

Oh and did I mention the money? Twenty grand to be put through the torture, then another almost half a mill in care afterwards to save my life. Normally for elective surgery, especially surgery done out of the country, that's not covered by your insurance (mine was done in the states and only covered because it was necessary to save my life...we have very generous insurance, most don't).[/quote']

Fortunately bad experiences are the exception rather than the rule. Idk if I'd consider WLS if I was 60 lbs overweight with no comorbidities. Of course I cannot look at from that perspective. I am morbidly obese, over 370 lbs, with comorbidities.

I guess we just have to research and try and make the best decision. It's hard and scary. I'm a mom too, and I appreciate the heartache you feel over your son's worry for you...

Amanda Rae

Fortunately bad experiences are the exception rather than the rule. Idk if I'd consider WLS if I was 60 lbs overweight with no comorbidities. Of course I cannot look at from that perspective. I am morbidly obese' date=' over 370 lbs, with comorbidities.

I guess we just have to research and try and make the best decision. It's hard and scary. I'm a mom too, and I appreciate the heartache you feel over your son's worry for you...

Amanda Rae[/quote']

There is a group or rather several groups on Facebook that are sleevers. If anyone would like to join and share and ask questions please email me and I will be glad to invite you. They are secret groups so no one will see what is being said. These conversations are very open and frank. Nothing is off limits. After I posted and got the response I felt very insulted and vented there. Of the 140 members in that group I do not believe there are any regrets. Some may have problems adjusting to the new life style but no regrets. It's not the easy out people think it is. All things take work and a certain amount of dedication.

If I had so many medical complications I think I might be questioning the hospital and doctor as to the reasons for them.

Sent from my iPad using VST

Tx girl I will be there mar 14/15

Tx girl I will be there mar 14/15

March 11th for me.

Amanda Rae

I barely qualified through insurance, BMI 35 and sleep apnea. I had surgery on Monday, and am feeling pretty good. Much better than I expected. I understand the confusion of people wondering why we would want to do the surgery, but most of us have tried many serious attempts at weight loss, and this is an awesome tool to use in this journey. I'm hoping it will be the tool that finally makes this possible for me. I've head many people say in support groups that it doesn't make it easy, but it does make it possible. That is all I am asking for. Don't stress other people's opinions. I is our health and our bodies.