Looking for your opinions. My BMI hovers around 40, no comorbids, although family history of all them. I'm going through all the pre-op steps. This morning at upper GI the radiology tech said he didn't think I was big enough to go through "all that", meaning wls. My surgeon, who is obviously on board with me getting surgery, also mentioned that I was "skinny" which was very weird to hear. Maybe he meant in relation to other patients? He was talking about how that makes me a good candidate for easier recovery, I think.

I feel very fat. Can't walk more than a couple of blocks. Wear 2x clothes. I don't feel small by any stretch of the imagination. I have at least 80 lbs to lose to be in the "normal" range. I know I could do it through diet/exercise. Well, maybe not all of it, but probably 40-50, and I'd still be pretty overweight. I've done it many times. I've been on phentermine four times, each time for about a year. Even that isnt' working anymore. Whatever weight I get to -it's not sustainable. My mother died last year from so many things related to/made worse by her obesity I know where I am headed and don't want that life.

I've done a lot of research and know what is involved with surgery. I want the sleeve because I want this tool to help me get to and stay at a good weight. I know that most of the work will be mine (not the sleeve's) and that psychologically it's a big change as well. But now that I've heard these two comments I am questioning my judgement.

No one in my life knows I am going to do this. I think I know what the general public thinks of weight loss surgery. I want to ask this generally pro-sleeve community what it thinks. Are some people "too small" for everything involved in the sleeve surgery to be worth it? Is there a chance this is a bad idea and I'll regret it in the long term? Knowing what you know, are there people in your life who are very overweight that you think should not do surgery even if they want to? What is your opinion? Any input welcome!

Thank you in advance.

Wow how are you too small for the sleeve. That's insane, how much do u weigh and how tall are you?

My BMI was just under 35 on day or surgery; over 36 when I first saw the bariatric surgeon. I have v significant, multiple comorbidities.

I don't know how old you are and I'm always a bit wary of younger people taking out bits of their body that they may find they need later on -especially if there are no health issues right now. But your family history is significant and it's not great that you can only walk a couple of blocks.

IMO this surgery - any abdominal surgery - does pose significant risks and shouldn't be entered into lightly. I had a good run with surgery and recovery but I still didn't think it was a walk in the park. Now that I'm sleeved I also realise it is still very possible to not lose or to lose and then regain the weight... this is no magic bullet and you need to work at it long term, have no illusions about that.

But having said all that, I am glad I did it and now have real hope for a healthy future and a longer life, after years of feeling completely opposite to that. I'm still adjusting but I don't feel I've 'lost' anything or am deprived. food tastes just the same and I enjoy as much as ever, just in v small quantities.

So read up, decide if this is right for you, and if it is embrace it. I'd suggest you read the "complications" and "regrets" posts (along with the good news stories) to get a balanced view. Good luck with it all.

An interesting observation.. All of the friends and relatives that told me I was to "small" for surgery? When they see me now the are the first ones to say how much better and "healthier" I look now