I am 5'3" and weigh 178, so my BMI is in the low range. People seem to think that because I only have 50 or so pounds to lose I have no reason to be having surgery. They don't realize that I have been a lot heavier in the past but have been stuck at this 50-60 for years. I can run, run, run my little booty off and eat healthy and maybe lose 5-10 lbs. but I can never get off what I need to be healthy. I am 40 years old and sick of this battle. I have high blood pressure, high cholestrol, and heart disease runs rampid in my family. This is not an easy fix as I am finding out by reading the boards, but I don't think I can do this alone anymore and I feel that now is the time for me. What should I say to people who judge just because I don't have hundreds to lose?

Thanks! I see you were sleeved 10/4. How are you feeling? Does the gas and trouble drinking get better soon? That is my only issue besides no BM yet.

I'm in exactly the same boat and leaning towards the surgery.

Lets keep in touch

Kate

Am I the only one who is scared for these people that they would lose too much weight? I guess your body does adjust, but I finally didn't lose this month and that was month # 16. I am all for the surgery, but I always was scared I would lose too much. With only 50 pounds to lose...you could lose that in the first 3 months...then what.

Am I the only one who is scared for these people that they would lose too much weight? I guess your body does adjust' date=' but I finally didn't lose this month and that was month # 16. I am all for the surgery, but I always was scared I would lose too much. With only 50 pounds to lose...you could lose that in the first 3 months...then what.[/quote']

Eat more calorie dense foods to stop the weight loss and maintain.

I too have what is considered lower BMI 5'51/2 wt 195# with hx of high cholesterol and strong family hx of diabetes and cardiac dz. I have been following this site for quite a while hoping to find someone like me. The physician I chose is local and I will be paying cash since don't meet insurance requirements. He reconfirmed with me why wait until I reach morbid obesity with multiple co-morbidities. scheduled for nov 1 so now really starting to doubt my decision. I know this is just part of the reality and that everyone has these feelings. Just can't wait til it's over!

Same here. I am 5'3 and was 198 on the day of surgery (lost 12 lbs on pre-op diet). I was always a healthy big girl but do have many crazy issues, mainly diabetes, that run through my mom's side of the family. I decided to have surgery because I didn't want to remain a slave to food and gluttony for the rest of my life. I would always eat, whether I was hungry or not. Matter of fact, I only learned what physical hunger really is after getting sleeved. My stomach has never really growled before because I was always throwing food in there. I also wanted to maintain my success, not lose a bunch of weight only to gain it all back once I wasn't "dieting" anymore. My family never approved my decision to have surgery because they didn't think I was "obese", even though they would always tell me that I need to lose some weight.

I followed forums and contemplated surgery options for 3 years. Did not dare to register on a form till I had a surgery date. I choose a surgeon in Mexico -- never thought I would go to such an extreme but I was desperate. I am excited that you now have a date too and know that you will doubt yourself, you will lose sleep, you will feel anxious and irritable, you will think of backing out... I went through all of these phases but once it is done and you are safe and sound, everything changes from there. Food is no longer king, you are! The first two months will be the hardest in all sort of ways as everything you know about food and your body will be changing forever, so bear through that. I promise you that it will get better.

Thanks! I see you were sleeved 10/4. How are you feeling? Does the gas and trouble drinking get better soon? That is my only issue besides no BM yet.

I know you didn't pose this question to me, but I would like to assure you that things will get better! I tried Gas-X and that really helped and if anything, walking is miraculous! I started by walking 1 mile/day (would take me 30 minutes)... Drinking was horrible at first and I had some major heartburn and acid reflux. I didn't even know but the Gatorade I was drinking and drink mix packets I was adding to my Water had citric acid in them, so make sure you stay away from anything that has the word acid in its ingredients. I tried Zantac 150mg at first and it helped but trying a PPI was the best decision I ever made. I am now on Prilosec 20mg (OTC) and feel much better. Wishing you more and more peace with your decision and a problem-free surgery!

Eat more calorie dense foods to stop the weight loss and maintain.

You can't in the first six months. I couldn't eat more than 400 to 500 calories the first couple of months then I could go to 700...maybe 800. I lost 85 pounds in six months. People with not that much weight to lose can't just eat more in the first six months. Some people can...but I sure as hell couldn't. I couldn't eat more until last month and that was 14 months in.

Don't worry. Someone with a higher BMI also has a higher BMR, so you can't equate the calorie requirements of a high BMI person to a low BMI person. A person who has the surgery who only needs to lose 50 pounds is not going to lose 85 pounds in the first 6 months.

Don't worry. Someone with a higher BMI also has a higher BMR' date=' so you can't equate the calorie requirements of a high BMI person to a low BMI person. A person who has the surgery who only needs to lose 50 pounds is not going to lose 85 pounds in the first 6 months.[/quote']

Exactly. I've only lost about 30 lbs and it's been almost 3 months. It's much slower when you don't have as much to lose. Our bodies adjust accordingly. I'm hoping to get to goal over the next 6 months and it seems it'll take a bit of effort to do so (more exercise and low carb, etc).

You can't in the first six months. I couldn't eat more than 400 to 500 calories the first couple of months then I could go to 700...maybe 800. I lost 85 pounds in six months. People with not that much weight to lose can't just eat more in the first six months. Some people can...but I sure as hell couldn't. I couldn't eat more until last month and that was 14 months in.

I realize some folks can't eat any more food. I just meant foods like Peanut Butter, whole milk, guacamole, full fat everything. These foods have more calories per gram that other "healthier" choices. They are not unhealthy, just more calories. If I was losing too much weight I would try to take in foods like this because they are so calorie dense but they also slide right down and don't take up much room in the sleeve.....except for the whole milk of course.

I too have what is considered lower BMI 5'51/2 wt 195# with hx of high cholesterol and strong family hx of diabetes and cardiac dz. I have been following this site for quite a while hoping to find someone like me. The physician I chose is local and I will be paying cash since don't meet insurance requirements. He reconfirmed with me why wait until I reach morbid obesity with multiple co-morbidities. scheduled for nov 1 so now really starting to doubt my decision. I know this is just part of the reality and that everyone has these feelings. Just can't wait til it's over!

Im also 5'1 weighed 190 on surgery day. Im currently 2 weeks post and current weight is 180. Most of my weight is on my chest and tummy. I choose to do the surgery now and not weight till i was really obese. The best part is my surgery was aproved my insurance. Best decision i ever made. I hope to live a long and healthy life. Best of luck

I totally agree. As I pointed out' date=' they are the only folks I have told outside my family ... those struggling with weight issues themselve. I do feel we have a responsibility to them.[/quote']

However as someone said---WLS is out there to be researched by all. You can simply say that you have made some preeminent changes in your life and they should explore all their options. It is no ones business and you OWE nothing to anyone. Did you feel that someone successful (at weight loss) owed you anything.

I have learned recently that no one will worry about you like you will. In other words "this has been so personal for so long---your solution is personal too. It is all about ME for a change (for the first time in a long time. For me)

I am 5'3" and weigh 178' date=' so my BMI is in the low range. People seem to think that because I only have 50 or so pounds to lose I have no reason to be having surgery. They don't realize that I have been a lot heavier in the past but have been stuck at this 50-60 for years. I can run, run, run my little booty off and eat healthy and maybe lose 5-10 lbs. but I can never get off what I need to be healthy. I am 40 years old and sick of this battle. I have high blood pressure, high cholestrol, and heart disease runs rampid in my family. This is not an easy fix as I am finding out by reading the boards, but I don't think I can do this alone anymore and I feel that now is the time for me. What should I say to people who judge just because I don't have hundreds to lose?[/quote']

You don't owe an excuse to anyone!!! It's your life, your body, and your choice. You're making a healthy decision so you can have a better quality of life. Sometimes it's harder for some to lose that extra 50 lbs...I know...I don't regret my choice to have the sleeve done. I'm losing slower then some, but I'm losing. I was off my bp pills after the first week, that made me happy. Go for it girl, you'll never regret it! Best of luck to you!