Hello,

This is my first post!

I'm 47, 5'5" and 185lbs, which puts me at BMI of 31 (just into the obese category). I have a medium build. I was a slim child, but I've yo-yo dieted for most of my adult life, getting to my lowest weight of 148 about 3 years ago (strict diet, active job), and of course it's crept back on. This is pretty much the highest I've been though, at about 50lbs overweight. I don't have any other health problems that I'm aware of.

Weight runs in my family, and both my mother and (older) sister have had VSG with good results. Both were a lot heavier than me. I'm starting to think this may be the way I should go too, as I sit here feeling totally defeated about the prospect of starting, and failing, yet another New Year's diet. I've read enough to know that don't want a lap band.

I would need to self-pay and travel to get the surgery, and at a BMI of 31 I would qualify.

Having had people close to me go through the travel, surgery and recovery with no regrets, I'm pretty aware of what's involved, but am trying to figure out if it's 'worth it' for someone as relatively lightweight as me? I would really love input from other people who were similar low BMI and to hear their experiences.

Thanks!

I'm with all the others. I'm 43 and started at 190. Self pay

Surgery 6/17/14. I'm at 143.4 this morning. I lost the first 40 pounds quick within 4 months.

I have no regrets. To know that I will probably never be over 150 again.

I don't agree about trying the new eating lifestyle before. Why? Because I never could have sustained under 1000 calories for a prolong period pre-surgery. I would have been starving and felt so defeated.

After surgery, it is what it is. You are not as hungry due to the removal of the part of the stomach with the hunger trigger and you physically cannot eat as much. So with these limitations, I'm never starving and I get full very fast.

It is a lifestyle change. The work you put into this will be one of the most demanding things you have done in life.

That said, I love it. My husband loves it. My kids don't care ... Mom is still mom.

Go for it.

Just be careful reading about others online on this site and others. Since you're starting at such a lower weight and starting point, even after surgery, your weight will come off much slower. Someone with a starting BMI of over 45 may lose that whole 50 pounds you're looking to lose in the first month alone. There's no way it'll happen that fast for you, but it will happen if you follow the plan.

Hello again, and thank you for all of your replies.

After much thought, I've decided to 'have another go' by myself. I'm already a few pounds down, which puts me below a 30 BMI, hence I would not qualify for surgery right now anyway.

I'm going to keep the idea of surgery in the back of my mind, as a last resort, since I view it as a serious commitment. Everyone says how it's just a tool and you still have to work hard to lose the weight. I figure if I can lose weight by myself by working hard, maybe that's what I should be doing for now. For me, losing has never been too much of a problem, it's keeping it off that I have the issue with. I'm going to have to look for strategies to help with that.

Yes, I am aware that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result, but right now cutting out most of my stomach to lose a bit of weight seems too extreme for me.

Wish me luck!

Good for you. You do have to be really ready for a permanent commitment to WLS for it to be successful, as well as to have no regrets and have confidence in the process. I finally got there in 2013 and was banded in 2014. It's the focus of my day every day. But I was ready and wanted it. I still want it. I have no regrets because I was sure. Best of luck to you and know we are always here even if you want to just check in and say hi!!

This is a major surgery, and I think there is more to consider than just commitment. I think it's a matter of risk vs. benefit, and what your risk tolerance is. The risks associated with surgery are low, but if you have a complication, it can be life threatening or disabling permanently. You might want to review the complications thread and think if the risk is worth the benefit to you.

I see you are trying again to do it on your own and your BMI has already dropped, so good for you. It's hard with or without surgery. Statistically, a 10% drop in weight gives you many health benefits. Good luck, whatever you decide!

I dad a BMI of 31 and I just kept gaining weight. I went to Mexico to R. Alvarez who is an amazing surgeon. I'm 11 weeks out. I'm 5'5, start weight of 184. I've lost 24 pounds. My goal is 23 more pounds. It's slower going with a lower BMI but doable, and so rewarding! Go for it! You won't be sorry.

I dad a BMI of 31 and I just kept gaining weight. I went to Mexico to dR. Alvarez who is an amazing surgeon. I'm 11 weeks out. I'm 5'5, start weight of 184. I've lost 24 pounds. My goal is 23 more pounds. It's slower going with a lower BMI but doable, and so rewarding! Go for it! You won't be sorry.[/quote

Edited January 18, 201511 yr by sukik

My 50th birthday present to me... VSG in Mexico with Dr Perez. Started 196, 5'9". BIM 30 ish? 10 days out, down 18 pounds. It was a great experience,

My 50th birthday present to me... VSG in Mexico with Dr Perez. Started 196, 5'9". BIM 30 ish? 10 days out, down 18 pounds. It was a great experience,

Hi there,

Did you go to Victoria Hospital in Cancun? How was your experience with Dr. Perez?

Still can't believe I did it! Yes I went to Victoria Hospital. I went alone, and it was fine. Hospital super clean, nurses and staff little english, but took great care of me. I never had to ask for pain medication, but my IV did blow out and the nurse just ignored it until the next shift came in because she didn't understand what I was telling her.

Dr Perez and anesthesiologist were great, spoke great english, and made me feel very confident. Recovery was quick, and I've been losing steadily since I got home. I've experienced foamies and slimies a couple of times, along with mild heartburn and burpies....thank goodness I found info on that from others on Bartiatric Pal.

I do wish the instructions for eating/excersise were more in depth. (Just one sheet, obvious typos, poor translation from Spanish to English) I've gleaned much of what I'm doing post surgery from fellow sleevers. (Thanks to all)

Here he is!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xm2c98_cancun-weight-loss-surgery-dr-hector-perez_people

Edited March 26, 201511 yr by suzitx

Update.... Weight loss has been great, lowest was 138..and I go up and down about 4 pounds....steady at 142...but I've been suffering from severe GERD caused by Stenosis. Basically my Dr here in US says Dr Perez used an old technique, so my stomach is like a funnel instead of a banana He is recommending a bypass because there isn't enough stomach to stretch with a balloon. . Am getting a second opinion. Dr Perez has seen the xrays and says he can fix it with balloon..but I wont be going back to him.

Hello, this thread just popped up in my email again. I'm the OP, so I thought I would give an update.

I read and absorbed all of the comments that were made, and decided to not think any more about surgery. Since January last year I have been counting calories and am now maintaining a 45lb loss. I would like to lose another 5lbs which, at 5'5" and 135 would put me squarely in the middle of my suggested weight range. I'm taking it very slow and steady.

I used My Fitness Pal, and eat everything I like, just less of it. I am MUCH more conscious of quantities and serving sizes now, and feel empowered to keep the weight off. I tend to feel that we over-think these things. Eating fewer calories than I burn causes me to lose weight, and I have no need to go low carb or any other complicated diet.

I thank everyone again for their input, and wish you all good health.