Hello VSGers. I have about 65-70 lbs to lose. I am tall, so my BMI is 35, and people would probably look at me and think I am overweight, but maybe not morbidly obese. I barely qualify, but insurance is approving. From my reading of posts, this is less than the average amount of excess weight for VSGers. I am 90% sure I'll be having the surgery, but now I am having thoughts that this is too "drastic" for me. I don't really feel that way, but I am concerned. I know I can't lose the weight myself (been there done that through a lifetime). I also see myself getting bigger and bigger if I don't take action now.

If you were a low BMI'er like me, could you share your experinence with me? Has it been worth it? Have you gotten too skinny? Has the drastic change with your relationship with food been worth the medical side of this surgery? Thanks for sharing!

Shan

I've just had the surgery 2 weeks ago, and so far so good!

The way I looked at it was, been there done that! Yes i could loose the weight on my own, I have in the past but this is a long term assistance tool not my usual diet and exercise until someone invites me to dinner or drinks thing.

So far no problems with the food, i find I still want to eat the rubbish not so much in a head hunger way just if i see it I want it, and if its ok in my 2 week thing, yep sweet ill have it. But I'm happy with only a tiny amount (for example its taken me a week to eat 1/2 a tub of low fat moose). 1 or 2 tiny teaspoons and I've had my hit! (3 weeks ago me would not stop at a teaspoon) Don't get me wrong, I could easily polish off the whole tub even at 2 weeks out, but I don't find I need to or want to.

I have no idea about long term, hoping it works out ok. But I have accepted that it won't just fall off me because I went in with the lower BMI and already quite fit

also, my BMI was 38 day of surgery, but when i decided to have the surgery it was 34 - I just got a bit crazy in the lead up to surgery. Also I'm 5'7

My bmi is 37 I'm short and weight is 190 and would like to get to "130" I'm having surgery on sat June 30 and I can't wait. I would like to hear positive feed back also.

I am almost 9 months post op and I was on the line for surgery with my BMI. In fact, the only reason I was able to get the surgery is because I have diabetes. I have done so well and this is the best decision I could of made for myself. I am really skinny now and wearing a size 8 in jeans and could fit into a size 6 if I liked my pants really snug. This is a complete life style change which is frustrating at times. I never knew how my head hunger would work but am now finding out. Now I have to change my mindset to I only need food to survive mode. I have to avoid those pesky carbs and increase my exercise because we can put the weight back on, after all, the sleeve is just a tool. My BMI in in normal range and my blood sugar levels are in the normal range now. If I eat candy, my A1C will go up, so diabetes can come back if I stray from my diet. So, tiny bit of sugar to no sugar for me. I'm am learning so much about my self and loving it. If you have any personal questions you would like to have answered, please feel free to PM me. Hope this helps.

My BMI was 33 when I was sleeved 2 weeks ago. I lost 50 pounds in the 3 months prior to surgery so I was on the fence about going through with it. I have lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks which is very slow compared to others, but I have only 45 pounds to lose. I am only 5'2 so any bit of weight shows on me.

My BMI is 35, and I'm 5'6". And I'm waiting for my insurance approval, and then for me there is no turning back. I want this.

u guys are so lucky insurance will pay for you!

In aus we don't have that option unless we pay a mint (around $200 a month) for really high up private health cover, then we are still out of pocket at least 9k.

If we self pay we are up for about 20k (I paid)

ouch.

ok sorry rant over.

My BMI was 35 and I self-paid 18 months ago. I had no co-morbid conditions but I was putting on about 10 lbs a year and could see where I would end up if I didn't do something. I had tried diet and exercise my whole life and had been only intermittently successful and never really thin. I spent most of my 20s-30s as a size 12.

This surgery has totally been worth it. I feel great. I can run without my knees hurting. I threw away chocolate after Easter because I didn't want to eat it--it wasn't very good and not worth the calories. If I put something in my body now, it had better be either nutritious or something glorious for the tastebuds. Ordinary is not good enough anymore.

I am a size six, I'm 5'8, and life is wonderful. Best money I ever spent.

This is my exact dilemma.

BMI of 33.1 and yes, I self paid. No co-morbidities but I was headed down an ugly road. I was not overweight all of my life, just for the last 10+ years. After trying just about every diet and failing multiple times, I had an epiphany moment. No more self loathing, no more yo-yo, no more buying diet plans. Did VSG because I wanted a fighting chance to be the real me.

Took out a loan to pay for VSG and worth every penny for a US surgeon. Outpatient surgery was a good experience. Hit weight loss goal in 5 months, but I was diligent with the VSG diet plan. Watched my carbs and kept Protein count up.

Surgery was drastic and VSG is non-reversible. This is your choice alone. So, let me ask you something. If you could keep off the weight without surgery, why haven't you?

I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

My bmi is almost 34.4. I am scheduled for surgery next week. I am self-paid. I am so ready for this. I have struggled with my weight forever. Long family history of diabetes... For me it's only a matter of time if I don't do something. I'm a size 14/16.... Goal is 135 pounds, I'm 5'4". Will keep you updated!

I have seen much success with lower bmi sleevers, we just seem to lose at a slower pace.

My BMI has always been around 35. At least for the past 5 years. Last year it took a hike to exactly 40. That's when I decided I needed a more permanent tool to help keep the weight off.

I can lose weight, but I have trouble keeping off.

I was sleeved exactly 2 months ago, I have lost 50 pounds and have 30-40 to go. I say that because I have a very dense bone structure and don't want to get to bony looking.

I did the sleeve because I want to keep the weight off and it is helping me make a life style change. I love exercise and eating healthy, this has given me the incentive to keep it up!

Good luck to you!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

This was an awesome thread to read because I like many of you have a lower BMI but I have other medical issues that qualified me for VGS surgery on July 9th. I am determined to make this lifestyle change!!!

I started at a BMI of 32? that is about 9 weeks ago. I'm 5'7"

Today, my BMI is at 24.6. I've lost about 50lbs since surgery.

It's fantastic, except that I'm still struggling with the energy level and dizziness, which I suspect is due to hypertension medications that I am still on.

Anyhow, its totally worth it, not for the weight loss, but a healthier me, because of the VSG, and how lil i eat now, im making smart choices for food. More Protein, Water etc.

I snack, but healthy stuff like baked almonds, tuna chunks in brine/water... fruits..etc

I'm very please post surgery, and the only time i felt bad, was when I went for an expensive buffet (mother's birthday) and could hardly get anything in.. waste of money~~

otherwise, I say go for it.. totally worth every penny!

My doc's goal would have put me at 75 lbs loss and my personal goal is 90 lbs loss. My BMI was about 38. I was diagnosed diabetic type II last summer and decided that I had to do something more permanent for weight loss since I'm 35 and I've been yo-yo'ing since about 20 years old. I've lost about 55 lbs since February and a lot of that came off really fast. I have a feeling the next 35 lbs that I want to lose is going to come off a lot slower. I bet money i will be waiting another 5-6 months for that last 35 to come off but I'm ok with that. Now that I'll be 5 months out in about a week I know that it's going to slow down. I have to keep my exercise up and diet on point for sure.