Hint, it's not just that it holds less food. Interesting stuff! http://gastricbypass.netfirms.com/understandingsmallgastricpouch.htm

I didn't exactly mean it was only up to the surgeons. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

I cannot imagine going through this without tons of prep and research and work. Obviously many do. I've also known a few people that shouldn't have qualified for the surgery (low BMI), and still had insurance and surgeon approval for surgery. Should they be allowed to have it because they "want" it? No. I was also referring mostly to a surgery group that I'm aware of that run people through like a factory for surgery. That's very irresponsible to me. It's also not solving any problems; for the patient or for the cost of healthcare.

It is very much up to each individual to figure this out. And the healthcare professionals (not insurance companies) should help guide and educate them toward the best decision for them.

So, you feel that people with a BMI under 40 shouldn't get the surgery!?! I disagree with you as one of those people. I am 34 yo, I had my surgery on 12/17/13 weighting 267lbs, at 5'10 with a BMI 37. I have been overweight since birth and have lost the same 80lbs at least 5x's in my adult and not including all the diets I have been on since childhood. So, I am sorry but everyone who decides to have the surgery low or high BMI has had their own struggle with their weight. I choose to have the sleeve bc I'm tired of losing the weight, gaining the weight and ultimately bc I know I was eventually going to become a higher BMI, so why should I went tell then to do something abt my weight at my age. I'm still young and want to be comfortable on my own skin and live life without in extra weight to hold me down. Your entitled to your own opinion but as a low BMI who has several health issues I had to say something.

I had a BMI under 40 also... You do know that with co-morbs 35 is the standard? If our Docs approve, what business is it of anyone else? I lost 91 pounds, had a BMI of 38, The health insurance costs will be helped by me losing weight and not turning into a full blown diabetic with those costs into the future.

I am not sure that Journey meant that a low BMI was (or should be) by definition a reason to exclude from surgery.

That said, we are on a similar journey but have vastly different paths. Luckily I was (well, still am) a Very fat healthy man. My BMI was 52. Some with BMIs much lower have very significant medical reasons to be sleeved.

Nonetheless we are ALL in this together! The only exclusion from the sleeve is a high liklihood that the patient will not or cannot comply with the behavioral changes that the sleeve requires (and even this is IMHO)