Low BMI VSG topics?

[RuralNurse 48]

I am a lower BMI person. My insurance covers WLS pretty well but the lowest BMI they will cover is 35 and only if you also have diabetes with that lower BMI.

So I am going to go to Mexico and be self pay, my date is 1/101/16. But even with that they said I MUST show up with a BMI of at least 30 of they will not do surgery.

I have found only a few posts or YouTube videos on folks in my situation.

What if I lose too much on the pre-op diet?

Will the surgeon make my sleeve "bigger" because I'm not as heavy as most?

How does weight loss go after the surgery? Meaning we know that heavier people in general can lose weight more rapidly on the same "diet" as those that are light, so what can we expect?

Are the complications the same such as chance for dumping syndrome, chance for acid re-flux, chance for needing gall bladder removed later, etc?

I am sure I am not the only one with these questions and think that we could support one another and give info on our journey that may help others in the future.

If there is a section on this forum that I missed specifically for lower BMI WLS please feel free to move this post.

[sleevedup 46]

Just 6 days post-op low bmi...if you like to have a chat, pm and I would be happy to pay it forward (like so many here did) and speak with you about my experience:)

[mrs w 56]

Would also love to hear some stories. I have a 30 bmi and am scheduled for the sleeve in Mexico on January 11th.

[HopefulMe2016 9]

I don't meet the BMI standard alone per my insurance, however with my GERD and obese BMI I may qualify. I'm waiting for my first appointment to get more information.

I'm very nervous.

[RuralNurse 48]

Just 6 days post-op low bmi...if you like to have a chat, pm and I would be happy to pay it forward (like so many here did) and speak with you about my experience:)

Thanks. I will have to figure out how to PM. How would you feel about questions here on the forum so others could join in? I see there is more interest!

[RuralNurse 48]

I don't meet the BMI standard alone per my insurance, however with my GERD and obese BMI I may qualify. I'm waiting for my first appointment to get more information.

I'm very nervous.

Good luck to you on this. Insurance varies so much. My insurance covers this very well but they are super strict. They would not allow sleep apnea, elevated cholesterol, GERD, or stress urinary incontinence to pass. They said the lowest BMI I could have is 35 and with that I MUST have diabetes or it was a No-Go. I hope yours is more lenient

Would also love to hear some stories. I have a 30 bmi and am scheduled for the sleeve in Mexico on January 11th.

I am scheduled for January 10th in Mexico as well!

[Scottyd1264 73]

Hello, I have a BMI of 29, and I had the sleeve on Monday 12/20, my doctor did make my stomach bigger the others, he made it the size of a banana and a half, they can use different size bugiee ( i am sure I spilled that wrong) but they place this down your throat and than cut next to it, the bigger one they use the bigger your stomach will be... there are 3 different sizes

I really feel great.... No pain, have not thrown up at all and have no issues drinking. I think this is due to the low BMI....

I was only approved because I had a lapband which failed

[anewme4076 2]

I'm so glad I found this forum! I'm currently 30 bmi. I have T2 diabetes and I want to get my sleeve Mar 2016. This gives me hope I can still do it with a lower bmi

[anewme4076 2]

Hello, I have a BMI of 29, and I had the sleeve on Monday 12/20, my doctor did make my stomach bigger the others, he made it the size of a banana and a half, they can use different size bugiee ( i am sure I spilled that wrong) but they place this down your throat and than cut next to it, the bigger one they use the bigger your stomach will be... there are 3 different sizes

I really feel great.... No pain, have not thrown up at all and have no issues drinking. I think this is due to the low BMI....

I was only approved because I had a lapband which failed

Hi Scotty! How are you doing since your surgery?

[anewme4076 2]

Is there a low bmi forum? I'm starting to feel guilty for not having a higher bmi. Feel like nerves are getting to me and I haven't even booked my surgery

[mrs w 56]

Is there a low bmi forum? I'm starting to feel guilty for not having a higher bmi. Feel like nerves are getting to me and I haven't even booked my surgery

There are a few threads "BMI 31-32" and "does anyone have 60 lbs or less to lose". They're not super active threads but just reading past comments and questions has helped me feel more comfortable going thru with the sleeve.

[mrs w 56]

Hi everyone,

I'm finally back for an update! I had been in the typical stall for quite some time, so was hesitant to post too much and come across pessimistic.

Here's a recap. Had my surgery January 9th in Mexico. BMI was 29, weighed in at 153.4 (only 5'1) on January 1st when I started my pre-op. I had an easy pre-op, basically just did Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch and then veggies and chicken for dinner. Three days before surgery was yogurt only diet, but I did add a Protein shake once a day just to keep my Protein up and my carbs down. Day of surgery I weighed 148.4 lbs, which put my BMI at 28.

I went down to Mexico on the day of surgery and spent a few days in San Diego afterwards. First time I weighed myself on my home scale I was 139.2 and that was on January 17th.

Jan 18 - 137.2

Jan 19 - 137.0

Then my weight started to bounce around and stall out so I stopped weighing daily.

Feb 1 - 137.6.

I started working out Feb 1, scale was still moving super slow, so again just weighed every once in a while

Feb 5 - 136.0

Feb 23 - 135.2

Then I went on vacation to California. Just got back last night and I weighed in this morning at .... 129.0!!!!!! That puts me at a BMI of 24.4, the high end of NORMAL WEIGHT.

Why did I finally drop? I don't exactly know, but here's two things that probably helped.

1. I ate out a lot, and although I didn't eat lots at a time, my calories were definitely higher, so I think that actually helped boost my metabolism.

2. I got super sick the second last night, stuck in the bathroom (sorry if this is TMI - but basically all night pooping and puking --- although it was mostly dry heaving since there was no food in me). So I probably am down quite a bit of Water weight, and fully expect I may gain a couple pounds once I get hydrated again and eating somewhat normal.

Anyways, I just wanted to post an update since it's been a while, and I feel like I may have finally broken this stall. I am less than 6 lbs above my lowest weight as an adult. Still 14 lbs above my goal weight, but that being said, I am looking forward to increasing my exercise and putting on muscle, so realize it may be difficult for the scale to drop steadily if I'm toning up.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

--I am going to copy and paste this post to a few of the other "low BMI" threads, so sorry for the repeat to those of you that follow those threads as well--