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.

Well, I was six months post this week and finally took some comparison photos.

195 lbs - high weight

188 lbs - surgery weight

144 lbs - today's weight (well, 143.3 lbs, but I rounded up)

I am 51 pounds down and only NINE pounds from my goal weight!!!! And, I have lost 61.25 inches... crazy! Hips are 34" and wearing size 4!

Wow wow wow.. Thank you janejanedoe for posting your before and after photos.. So inspirational.. You skin looks amazing no extra skin... My surgery is 4 days away this is just the inspiration I need!!

Edited July 4, 201511 yr by nevadapinkprincess

Thank you all for posting!. I am so grateful to hear that there are people who are in the exact situation that I am in. Low BMI (35), same health issues (bp, chol, knee, apnea, etc), same concerns about telling/not telling. I'm scheduled for the end of August and was beginning to lose my resolve to go for it (in the works since Feb) until the local group meeting this evening and then this website!. I am now so psyched I wish surgery would be tomorrow AM. I'm 65 and I want to let there be pictures of me for my children and someday grandchildren. For years I've just torn them up.

The one nagging concern I hope someone will weigh in (ha ha) on is a fear of gaining it all back. What do you do to prevent it? How do you stay psyched? How, after a time, do you convince yourself NOT to have that bite of cheesecake?

Congrats on the surgery date! Just stay active on this board... Recommit every single morning to this new way of eating, and enjoy the weight loss. I have been helped lots by those posters who say that it does not matter how long it takes to get to a goal weight, it just matters to keep getting there.

Hello everyone, my bmi is 35 5'2 191.I'm 45 hve high bp,high cholesterol, diabetes, pcos,and sleep apnea also.Cigna turned me down twice so now I'm doing a peer to peer got a new surgeon cause one I had really dropped the ball.I also only told couple of people cause of judgement. Like everyone said its my health issues not there's. I've been married 25 yes hubby not very supportive but I'm going to do it anyway"My body,my money,my decision " thinking ,once I get it done ,he will come around.Only problem is he loves to cook loves to eat and yes ,he's, overweight.He needs to understand I'm doing this for my health and when I fit into size 8 or smaller its a plus.Hoping ,once he sees me healthier, he will decide to do it for hisself and his health.

Good luck everyone and please pray for me and my hubby

Thank you all for posting!. I am so grateful to hear that there are people who are in the exact situation that I am in. Low BMI (35), same health issues (bp, chol, knee, apnea, etc), same concerns about telling/not telling. I'm scheduled for the end of August and was beginning to lose my resolve to go for it (in the works since Feb) until the local group meeting this evening and then this website!. I am now so psyched I wish surgery would be tomorrow AM. I'm 65 and I want to let there be pictures of me for my children and someday grandchildren. For years I've just torn them up.

The one nagging concern I hope someone will weigh in (ha ha) on is a fear of gaining it all back. What do you do to prevent it? How do you stay psyched? How, after a time, do you convince yourself NOT to have that bite of cheesecake?

Statistically, the lower your bmi prior to surgery, the more "successfully" you will maintain your weight loss. I am a week and a couple days out and I think to gain back it would take serious effort because it is not easy to eat a lot. People with higher bmis may be dealing with more food issues and they are counted in the whole count of success rates. Don't forget that. You will be fine. Stick to protein first and keep aware you don't want to regain. Use the time before surgery to process the level you are going for this and cling to this so you don't forget later. That's my unprofessional approach, for what it's worth.

That makes sense lorilove and sure hope it's true.. My surgery was last Wednesday and I can't eat much at all and really have zero desire for food.. Could care less it is the strangest thing ever..

@@highonlifega1970 I just wanted to say that I am also married to a man that loves to cook and eat (non weight problem) and I feel like he was very worried in the beginning about how the surgery might change things for us.

I'm now 10 months out and he has adapted to my portion size being smaller and we eat really fresh and healthy now 99.9% of the time.

In the beginning you will be able to eat almost nothing, though, so he needs to be prepared to deal with that. No getting around it!

I would also be very surprised if, after a few months, he's not inspired to make some changes for himself too.

My BMI is low as well. I'm miserable. I have back problems, hip pain, foot pain, hiatal hernia, fatty liver and High Cholesterol. I'm going to Tijuana in September. I don't care what they say. I'm going. I'm also not telling very many people. I'm only saying that I'm having the Hiatal Hernia repaired. They don't need to know more. I'm ready for change.

I agree with you. I too have simular pains. It is ok to not tell everyone. I don't plan to either. It looks like I need my gallbladder out too so if so I will just be telling people that. I am super ready for this and am just waiting for my surgery date to be set. It feels like it has been a long 6 months! Good luck to you!

"you're not thaaaat fat"

"but you've lost weight before naturally. just do it again."

"i would kill to be your size."

My current BMI is 33 (although it has been higher in the past) and I feel trapped in my own body. I have been overweight since 7, dieting since 9, and I have never been successful at keeping weight off. Will be looking into a trip to Mexico and a self-paid surgery. I can't wait to get my date and become the person I've always wanted to be.

"you're not thaaaat fat"

"but you've lost weight before naturally. just do it again."

"i would kill to be your size."

My current BMI is 33 (although it has been higher in the past) and I feel trapped in my own body. I have been overweight since 7, dieting since 9, and I have never been successful at keeping weight off. Will be looking into a trip to Mexico and a self-paid surgery. I can't wait to get my date and become the person I've always wanted to be.

Someone told me that at work yesterday - "You weren't morbidly obese - girl you didn't need surgery!"

Yeah I might not have been morbidly obese, but tell my joints and back that, please. Along with my hypertension. All of which have been alleviated since I had surgery.

When I went for my sleep study the chicken doing the test said those type of comments to me. I don't think they intend it to be as offensive as it is. They are just clueless that it is. I really think they think they are being nice. It really is none of anyone's business what our reasons are they don't have to live in my skin or know my health/family history.

When I went for my sleep study the chicken doing the test said those type of comments to me. I don't think they intend it to be as offensive as it is. They are just clueless that it is. I really think they think they are being nice. It really is none of anyone's business what our reasons are they don't have to live in my skin or know my health/family history.

When I had my sleep study, the technician said the same thing to me. Then she turned around and recommended "diet and exercise." SMH...