I had my first appointment yesterday. I had my mind set on the gastric sleeve. I have had success with diets in the past but I am never able to keep the weight off it just keeps coming back with a little more added. I am 5'3" and weigh 231 lbs now. I saw the nutrition who thinks that this is too drastic a measure since I have had some measure of success in the past. Now I am confused. I don't have any weight related issues yet and don't want to get any which is one of the reason that I wanted to start this journey. I forgot to mention that I have never gotten below 185. She also stated that I will probably gain the weight back, and that I'm really not that big. I am willing to work hard and know that this isn't a magic pill. I have been reading the post hear and think that everyone gives great advice. Please tell me what you think. Thanks

At 5'3" and 231 pounds you are morbidly obese, with a BMI of 40.1.

Medicare would approve your WLS with ZERO comorbidities.

The person who calls themselves a nutritionist seems, to put it politely, uninformed.

Everyone is absolutely right. Find another nutritionist--or bypass them altogether.

And no, everyone does not regain all their weight. That's irresponsible of the nut either not to know that's wrong or, if she does know it's wrong, to tell such a lie. Outrageous!

Edited January 9, 201511 yr by VSGAnn2014

Definitely see someone else. She isn't a doctor, she is a nutritionist. The info you get from her, you could get online, which makes her opinion just an opinion!

When I had my surgery I was 235 pounds at 5'4". I had already had a stroke at 185 pounds. That nutritionist is out of her mind and should not be working at a bariatric clinic. So far I have lost 66 pounds and my waist has gone from 53" to 39". I feel a lot better and do not feel doomed to an early death anymore. And even though I am 63, I, too, have a pair of white jeans waiting for me to get one more size down.

Keep advocating for yourself. When I was getting an EKG prior to surgery, the technician told me that I wasn't big enough for bariatric surgery. I submitted a complaint in writing to the hospital adminstrator, because that woman had no right or training to counter the surgeon's diagnosis. Geeze, some people just wear out my good nature.

Here is a list of co-morbidities that insurance companies look for when deciding whether or not to approve bariatric surgery. It is from NIH.gov, the National Institute of Health.

Obesity Comorbidities

• Family history of heart disease
• Family history of stroke
• Family history of diabetes
• Family history of heart attacks
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Coronary-artery disease
• Hypertension
• Migraines or headaches directly related to obesity or cranial hypertension
• Congestive heart failure
• Neoplasia
• Dyslipidemia
• Anemia
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative arthritis
• Degenerative disc
• Degenerative joint disease
• Recommended joint replacement from specialist
• Accelerated degenerative joint disease
• Asthma
• Repeated pneumonia
• Repeated pleurisy
• Repeated bronchitis
• Lung restriction
• Gastroesophageal reflex (GERD)
• Excess facial & body hair (Hirsutism)
• Rashes
• Chronic skin infections
• Excess sweating
• Frequent yeast infections
• Urinary stress incontinence
• Menstrual irregularity
• Hormonal abnormalities
• Polycystic ovaries
• Infertility
• Carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer)
• sleep apnea
• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Depression
• Psychological/sexual dysfunction
• Social discrimination
• Premature death in the immediate family
  

I was smaller than you when I got it done. I'm 5'4 and was 184 lbs which is like 32 BMI, but I have diabetes, PCOS and it's the best thing I've ever done in my life (besides LASIK) lol

It's been difficult losing weight my entire life, but it still is because of my diabetes but I've still managed to lose 37 lbs and it's been 6 months. I could never lose that much weight on my own, even when I was younger, eating healthy and working out every day.

What everyone said above, find another nutrionist, if not, go with what the doctor says. You don't want to weigh more and get other health issues (if you don't have some already).

GOOD LUCK