Low BMI and Gastric Sleeve

[DinaNJ 92]

I am a low BMI gastric sleeve patient. My BMI was a little over 35 when I got sleeved. I was approved by my insurance because I have kidney disease and getting HBP or diabetes would be detrimental to my health. I'm getting very frustrated with people not knowing my history and saying I didn't need the surgery. Although a 35 was the highest my BMI has ever been, it's more about the constant struggle with loosing weight and trying to stay healthy.

[swimbikerun 1,031]

I'm sorry. Actually 35 BMI is the cutoff limit, so you met standard limits, I can't see why people are upset unless they think you have to be 300 to have the surgery. The fact is, the smaller you are at surgery the better and easier surgery will be on you. I lost between 30-40 pounds before I had surgery, with a year long diet and exercise program. It didn't help with my medical conditions, so I was still above 40 when I had it.

[DinaNJ 92]

Hi swimbikerun, thank you. I think you got it right.. People believe you have to be severely overweight in order to justify WLS. I know the qualifications changed to a lower BMI a few years ago because obviously someone knew the benefits of it if you have health problems. Most people don't know that, all they see is my 600 lb life on tv and overweight celebrities getting the surgery. I am at the point now where I'm just not going to tell anyone.

[Tiny One 223]

Some folks just don't get it. That's exactly why I didn't tell no more than 5 people. Those 5 people understand I was borderline diabetic- cholesterol - HBP, had sleep apnea, back & joint pain. So they knew I needed the sleeve to get & stay healthy. I didn't want to hear or deal with the folks telling me I didn't need it because I went "big" enough to need WLS. It's been almost a year & 1/2 post op and it still haven't told anyone else. Me limiting folks that I told has made this journey a good & positive experience.

[Tiny One 223]

That I wasn't, not went.

[DinaNJ 92]

Hi Tiny One, I agree people just don't get it.. I will be doing the same. A few people know and I will leave it that way. Thanks!

[jdillon 355]

I also have a lower bmi and have 4 or 5 people who have had the surgery whom I work with. They are the worst critics. They should know why I need it and that it has more to do with just your weight. I wonder just how much research they did before getting the surgery themselves.

[dsmith_rn 186]

Does anyone know if those of us who start out with a lower BMI have a greater or lesser chance of success with the sleeve than those with a higher BMI?

My definition of "success" being that you lose at least most of your excess weight and keep it off for greater than 5 years....

[DinaNJ 92]

I've read several articles about people with lower bmi having great success . I think it's one of the reasons the restrictions for bmi went from 40 to 35 if you had medical problems.. If you read this article you can see the weight came off just as easy with patients with low bmi's... I guess your long term success is all about staying committed to lifestyle changes.

http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/11709/sleeve-gastrectomy-low-bmis-“easy-safe-and-benefic”

[cher40rie 28]

I am a low BMI gastric sleeve patient. My BMI was a little over 35 when I got sleeved. I was approved by my insurance because I have kidney disease and getting HBP or diabetes would be detrimental to my health. I'm getting very frustrated with people not knowing my history and saying I didn't need the surgery. Although a 35 was the highest my BMI has ever been, it's more about the constant struggle with loosing weight and trying to stay healthy.

I am a lower BMI as well.

But I have

RA

Cronic Back Pain

sleep Apnea

Cronic Knee Pain

Degenerative Disc Disease

2 Bulging Discs

Cronic Hip Pain

Swelling of my Left Leg

[Swimmer 199]

I was low BMI just under 34 by surgery day. I have been between 20-21 BMI now for a year and a half. It seems like folks I know with lower BMI have all reached goal.

[ren0318 81]

^{I completely understand. I barely mentioned the idea to my sister and sister in law last year and GOOD LORD, you would have thought I told them I was cutting both my legs off! "You do not need that surgery" "you are not that fat" "you doctor is a quack" on and on......so I have not said another word to any family members since then. I've been quietly attending my weekly nutrition classes, quietly having all my pre surgery testing done....and when I have my surgery I'm telling them that I have to travel for about a week for work. And leave it at that. The crazy part is almost my entire family have serious health issues, including diabetes (which is my main reasoning for the surgery), but they are not educated at all about surgery or getting healthy in general and it was not worth it to me to argue with them:) Good Luck!}

[DinaNJ 92]

I completely understand. I barely mentioned the idea to my sister and sister in law last year and GOOD LORD, you would have thought I told them I was cutting both my legs off! "You do not need that surgery" "you are not that fat" "you doctor is a quack" on and on......so I have not said another word to any family members since then. I've been quietly attending my weekly nutrition classes, quietly having all my pre surgery testing done....and when I have my surgery I'm telling them that I have to travel for about a week for work. And leave it at that. The crazy part is almost my entire family have serious health issues, including diabetes (which is my main reasoning for the surgery), but they are not educated at all about surgery or getting healthy in general and it was not worth it to me to argue with them:) Good Luck!

I totally understand.. People are not educated and therefore quick to judge. I'm one month post op and when people say I've lost weight or you look good I just say thanks... It's not worth an argument as you said. We did the research and made personal decisions for ourselves.. Good luck with your surgery!

[webhopper 57]

My bmi started at 41 but now ive lost 27 lbs pre op weight and my bmi is 37.

When I first found out that insurance wasn't covering it; a cousin suggested I try this new fad called "freeze your fat"

How humiliating is that.

My mom and sisters are supportive and my immediate family is supportive. My husband is a freaking rock star in my mind for being so sweet.

I have not told people at work except HR but that's because I needed to get the FMLA paperwork and short term disability insurance paperwork filled out in case there are complications which keep me from returning to work.

[loveurself1 21]

<p>I am a low BMI gastric sleeve patient. My BMI was a little over 35 when I got sleeved. I was approved by my insurance because I have kidney disease and getting HBP or diabetes would be detrimental to my health. I'm getting very frustrated with people not knowing my history and saying I didn't need the surgery. Although a 35 was the highest my BMI has ever been, it's more about the constant struggle with loosing weight and trying to stay healthy. </p> <p> </p>

I can absolutely relate to your story. I currently have a bmi of about 36 and I'm scheduled to have surgery tomorrow morning. My family don't know but I know they will feel that I'm making a HUGE mistake because according to them and a lot of people, I don't look like I need to loose any weight. It's just that people don't understand nor do they educate themselves before they speak negatively about this wls. (Ignorance) I'm pretty sure the majority of us who have or are considering wls have done thorough research before deciding on something so life changing. It's not an "easy way out" it's a life saver for most of us who have struggled throughout our entire lives. I've always been excellent at loosing the weight. The problem is keeping it off! Don't you dare get mad at " ignorant" people who don't understand and will never understand until they're faced with an addiction. It's best to surround yourself with positive people who will support you and encourage you during your journey. Best of luck to you & stay focused on your goals! :-)