I wanted to write about my experience with a lower bmi because while I am about 50 lbs overweight 182 5 ft 4 inches - I haven't seen too many posts that describe the surgery with this kind of weight loss. It took me a long time to decide to do this but I kept gaining and have a history of family members who get very very obese after their 40s. I am on the same track.

Anyway I am getting sleeve may 13. flyint to texas bc I actually have a friend who is a surgeon that does this. I feel good about that and I am staying with another friend.

I have 10 days and started the first day of a soft diet which is various soft Proteins, shakes, cottage cheese, eggs. I was basically good but ate too much. My goal today was just to get used to no carbs. I have had a splitting headache from giving up the caffiene but I am taking liquid tylenol and that helps a bit.

I was nervous about this but feeling better about it now and committed to doing this. Ill write about my experience so someone else in the future can decide if this makes sense for them. Ever since I decided to do this surgery I felt like I had control over my body for the first time in a long time. I also had smoked which I stopped. And started drinking tons of Water. Never could do that before.

So the surgery has instigated a number of great behaviors. all good. And this forum is key because people are so supportive. I really appreciate it.

Thank you. This is really helpful. And very appreciated

Kitkattulsa, if u go below 35 BMI will ur insurance not cover? I was approved over 35 but now i am below 35 and surgery is next week. I asked my dr office about that and they said I was already approved so it doesn't matter if I go below. It still worries me though.

Surgery is tomorrow. Sort of shocked that ive lost close to 9 lbs. this morning i stepped on the scale and i was 174.

I already feel like a new person frankly. However this diet pre op is brutal and i know without the sleeve it would all pop back on in a flash. Im starting to believe i could hit goal weight of 140. Im 54. I cant even remember what that feels like. All i know is that when i was 140 i was obsessed w feeling fat. So as i revisit these weights im now so newly appreciative of what i could be. And how bad that felt. Mostly in the last fee years the sense of no control. And feelings of doom that it wouldnt stop. So grateful this surgery exists.

I meant 5 ft 4 inches im 46

I'm a low bmi too I was sleeved last Sunday my BMI is 38 would love to share my journey with you too

I'm a 34 BMI and got sleeved on Monday 5/10. I just got home and am surprised at how and smooth the surgery went. I admit I'm sore internally but I don't have much pain. It's the gas that puts pressure inside. Once you pass gas it gets better good luck today and thanks for sharing. My only advise is to do everything the dr. says and walk a lot.

Love to hear more. Sleeved plastic surgeon. Im heading in tomorrow.

I haven't been hungry at all. It's amazing. I'm sinking chicken broth, eating sugar free Jello and drinking(sipping) Water all day. It's very doable more advice, do deep breathing and often. It helps to open the lungs.

Hello All,

I am also a low BMI and was sleeved in Mexico on last Friday May 6th. So far it has been really pretty easy. I have easily been meeting my Fluid and Protein goals and added Premier Protein shakes on day 5 with no problems.

I have been off work this week, and while not hungry.. I have been oddly food focused..

Looking forward to getting back to work and having my mind occupied

I'm a low bmi of 35 and get sleeved on the 26th!

Edited May 14, 201610 yr by jessjames

Thank you, everyone, for telling your stories and sharing tips! It is very reassuring. Keep 'em coming!

I don't have a surgery date yet (probably late June). I have a BMI of 32.8. I'm most concerned about:

-micronutrient deficiency. The longer-term sleeve studies show this is very, very common. Any of you long-termers who can report that your regular Multivitamins are enough to keep your blood levels normal?

-being too fatigued and fuzzy-brained to work for weeks after the surgery. I don't need to account for vacation days at my job, and I can work from home if necessary, but I've got a huge project in August that will need focused thinking and writing for most of June and July. More than a week off work will compromise that. So I'd love to hear from folks who were back to a desk job and reasonably efficient, a week after surgery! (Or if not, please tell it too me straight - how long did it take for your brain to return?)

-surviving the pre- and post-op liquid diet phases. I like Fiber and crunch! But I suppose one can endure anything for just a few weeks.

I'm pretty active (cardio daily) and eat nutritiously (although way too much) with lots of Protein. I don't smoke, drink (alcohol, coffee, soda). So the maintenance phase doesn't seem too difficult (knock wood) - just much smaller portions, starting with protein, and much more chewing! I hope that having a lower (although still obese) BMI and being fit now, will help me bounce back to regular activity (and brain) after surgery.

Thank you, everyone, for telling your stories and sharing tips! It is very reassuring. Keep 'em coming!

I don't have a surgery date yet (probably late June). I have a BMI of 32.8. I'm most concerned about:

-micronutrient deficiency. The longer-term sleeve studies show this is very, very common. Any of you long-termers who can report that your regular multivitamins are enough to keep your blood levels normal?

-being too fatigued and fuzzy-brained to work for weeks after the surgery. I don't need to account for vacation days at my job, and I can work from home if necessary, but I've got a huge project in August that will need focused thinking and writing for most of June and July. More than a week off work will compromise that. So I'd love to hear from folks who were back to a desk job and reasonably efficient, a week after surgery! (Or if not, please tell it too me straight - how long did it take for your brain to return?)

-surviving the pre- and post-op liquid diet phases. I like fiber and crunch! But I suppose one can endure anything for just a few weeks.

I'm pretty active (cardio daily) and eat nutritiously (although way too much) with lots of Protein. I don't smoke, drink (alcohol, coffee, soda). So the maintenance phase doesn't seem too difficult (knock wood) - just much smaller portions, starting with protein, and much more chewing! I hope that having a lower (although still obese) BMI and being fit now, will help me bounce back to regular activity (and brain) after surgery.

Hello and welcome!! I am 9 days post op and I feel like I could run circles around an office. So, I don't believe that fatigue or fuzzy head have been an issue at all for me. Not to say that others haven't experienced this because as it seems, no two are alike. However, very similar. I also have a lower (BMI 32.4) but still obese and a yo-yo forever with no long-term solution and lots of family health issues. I also know that being in shape will improve your healing and general outcome. I'm not too schooled in long term sleevers but I do know that's the reason that it's so important to get your protein first. I've been doing great getting it in as long as I drink a Protein shake and eat lots of yogurt! Anyway, thank you for your post and I hope to get information on long term outcomes as well. Good luck to you and you are in the right place for a wealth of information!!

Ps....I forgot to address the pre-op and post-op diet. It sucks but is so doable and necessary for smooth surgery and successful healing.

Ladies here too...low bmi just at the cut off..in fact when i had to go to meetings i felt out of place everyone was 2-3 times bigger then me and here i was this small person...4ft 10....i had my surgery on march 21st...some bumps but all going well...

You can follow me here http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/359417-starting-my-journey-boston-ma/page-12#entry4149614

Wow good to hear this my doctor and insurance will not give anyone with a BMI under 40. Instead the insurance will cover weight watchers for you

I did 2 yrs of medical weightloss supervision so that def helped me learn alot and my surgery approval process...(it was not required it was my personal choice to do it as surgery was a last resort) although i did lose weight it was not fast enough to keeo other illnesses away.

Edited May 15, 201610 yr by shortstuff4ever78