Hi all,

This group is pretty buried within the forums, so I can see how I missed it until now (and I can also see why it's pretty inactive). I would have really liked to read a story like mine from someone else while I was researching the sleeve surgery.

So, here's my story and I hope it helps someone. I would love to hear from anyone and try to pump some life into this forum! I'm a newbie, just 12 days post-op, so I am still learning everyday and ask the veterans dumb questions all the time. But I still think my experience just coming to terms with knowing the sleeve was for me might help another low BMIer in a similar situation.

I'm 31 years old, 5'6" and started at 180lbs (29 BMI). I had a lot of backlash from friends and family when I made my mind up to go forward with this, but ultimately everyone ended up being supportive after they realized there was no talking me out of it and the surgery was done. For low BMIers wondering if the sleeve is too drastic for them, I'll tell you it's a personal choice and a lifelong commitment.

That being said, I was a major yo-yo dieter. I binged on food for weeks, gain 35 pounds, then went vegan cold turkey (cold tofu? Lol). Lost 30lbs. Then went on a binge, gained 40lbs, then did Atkins (extreme difference from vegan), lost 35lbs. I've been repeating this cycle of bingeing then dieting (insert any fad diet here: HCG diet, Orange Theory obsession, phentermine, personal trainer 3x, vegetarian, back to Atkins, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers...) since I was 12 years old. Anyway, the highs got higher and I never made it back to my pre-binge numbers.

I got exhausted from dieting. Frustrated with myself and my lack of impulse control. I looked into WLS. My mom is the same as I am, just add another 100lbs. I went with her to a weight loss seminar and learned about the sleeve. I was ready to sign up then and there; finally, I found something that could be a real tool to help me maintain a healthy weight for life - you can't binge if you can only eat a half a cup of food at a time!

Unfortunately, the US healthcare system wanted me to be a 35 BMI to get the surgery. And, if I wanted to waste a couple years of my life, I guarantee I would've made it there, and I would have brought along my new friends diabetes, high BP, and joint pain.

Instead, I researched getting the sleeve in Mexico where I could pay a fraction of the cost of surgery in the US, and they were willing to do the surgery within 2 weeks of my filling out paperwork and a deposit for just about anyone BMI 28 or higher.

I went w/ Dr. Ortiz at OCC. I was THRILLED with the entire experience. When I arrived in Mexico I began having doubts, but the staff and the other patients put me at ease. There were several very low BMI patients with my same issues. An interesting fact the surgeon told me is that once you gain 30 pounds the likelihood of you losing the weight and keeping it off without surgery is 10%. I already knew I didn't fall into that 10%. So I did it on 7/22/16. After my pre-op diet (which was absolutely the hardest part of this entire process!), I weighed 173 pounds on date of surgery.

I'm 12 days out and weigh 163lbs now. I really think that being low BMI and healthy were 2 major reasons I had such an easy surgery. Aside from a little nausea caused by the anesthesia (I never threw up, just felt icky for about an hour) and getting the gas out, I had no complications. My incisions are all tiny. I have no pain in my abdomen. I'm a stomach sleeper and can sleep on my stomach. I was only on pain meds a couple days past surgery (and I just took what I was told, not sure I even had any pain ever).

Getting 64oz of liquid in the first 2 days didn't happen for me, but as soon as I could introduce the Protein Shakes, this process became totally workable. I'm currently drinking 3 Premier Protein drinks p/day and get 90g of Protein per day. I drink 48oz of regular Water and 16oz of Vitamin water. I enjoy tomato Soup with almond milk and yogurt drinks (the yogurt adds another 12g of protein, bringing my count up to 102g) as my Snacks. I mix my Vitamins with the soup and the yogurt, because I'm not supposed to take them as pills yet.

The biggest issues for me are mental. At this point, I haven't had solid food yet, so I just miss eating. I get to start my pureed phase on 8/5, so I'll let you know how it goes. I'm very excited for cottage cheese, poached eggs and the ricotta bake!

My dr's goal for me is 150lbs, because that puts me in the healthy BMI range, but my goal is 130lbs.

Here's my before shot, I'm going to update it on the 22nd of each month:

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What is your BMI ?

31

Your day is almost here where are you getting it done ?

Cincinnati. Journey Lite

@LowBMISleever, can you please share your recipe for the ricotta bake with me? I was only sleeved on 9/10/2018 but it never hurts to have healthy recipe choices on hand for when that time comes. It sounds like Italian food to me, which is always yummy! Lol. Right now, I think I would die if I even thought about eating real food but I know at some point I’ll be ready to return to an almost normal existence! Fingers crossed!

@LowBMISleever it's been little over 2 years out. would love to hear how you are coming along? is the honeymoon phase over yet?? Please check in

Hey all! I had to figure out what my password was to get back on here!!!

My update: I’m over 2 years out from surgery. I can eat whatever I want in moderation. I definitely can overeat the wrong foods now. I try to eat mostly keto (high fat, low carb, no sugar). I weighed 132lbs this morning. My lowest I believe was 121lbs. I have to diet to weight under 128. My body’s happy weight is 130. I still want to binge occasionally. And occasionally I do. But bingeing post surgery is very different than presurgery. It’s 2 slices (maybe) of pizza and a dessert 2 hours later. Sugar still hits my stomach like a ton of bricks. Carbs fill me up like a balloon was inflated in my stomach. When I eat healthy, I feel amazing. I can eat just about the same amount of food as my friends when we go out to dinner. I’ll skip the bread, have a few bites of salad, then be able to eat almost all the protein on the plate, a few bites of the veggie side and then I’m done. I don’t get dessert. I’ll tell you what I don’t like. I can’t drink like I used to. I thought I’d eventually be able to have 4 glasses of wine and be okay, but I’m now. After #2 I’m drunk, and I’m blacked out if I drink more than 3. My friends are heavy drinkers and this has been a bit of a problem. I have to tell them I can only have 2. That’s really the only thing that’s affected my life negatively. Here’s my most recent after. It’s from 2 weeks ago. Please let me know if you have any other questions this surgery is still the best thing I ever did!!!!

Edited September 12, 20188 yr by LowBMISleever

On 09/12/2018 at 16:49, LowBMISleever said:

Hey all! I had to figure out what my password was to get back on here!!!

My update: I’m over 2 years out from surgery. I can eat whatever I want in moderation. I definitely can overeat the wrong foods now. I try to eat mostly keto (high fat, low carb, no sugar). I weighed 132lbs this morning. My lowest I believe was 121lbs. I have to diet to weight under 128. My body’s happy weight is 130. I still want to binge occasionally. And occasionally I do. But bingeing post surgery is very different than presurgery. It’s 2 slices (maybe) of pizza and a dessert 2 hours later. Sugar still hits my stomach like a ton of bricks. Carbs fill me up like a balloon was inflated in my stomach. When I eat healthy, I feel amazing. I can eat just about the same amount of food as my friends when we go out to dinner. I’ll skip the bread, have a few bites of salad, then be able to eat almost all the Protein on the plate, a few bites of the veggie side and then I’m done. I don’t get dessert. I’ll tell you what I don’t like. I can’t drink like I used to. I thought I’d eventually be able to have 4 glasses of wine and be okay, but I’m now. After #2 I’m drunk, and I’m blacked out if I drink more than 3. My friends are heavy drinkers and this has been a bit of a problem. I have to tell them I can only have 2. That’s really the only thing that’s affected my life negatively. Here’s my most recent after. It’s from 2 weeks ago. Please let me know if you have any other questions this surgery is still the best thing I ever did!!!!

Can you share your recipe for ricotta bake?

this one is great

Thank you so much for the update. What vitamins are you taking now ? And have you had any problems with your health due to the sleeve. I did my sleeve 2 months ago with 33BMi

I just take 2 flintstone complete vitamins once a day. My health is perfect, my numbers are perfect, all hair loss has reversed and my hair is thicker than it used to be!

Things I can’t do anymore:

-drink soda out of a can quickly - but I can sip on it over ice just like anyone else.?

-drink alcohol heavily or quickly - unless I don’t want to remember the night ??‍♀️

-binge on large quantities of carbs/sugar without throwing up??

Hope you’re feeling well! I remember it took me 3 months to feel energy, 6 months to feel normal, and 1 year to wish I had more restriction again lol.

Edited September 13, 20188 yr by LowBMISleever

I started with a 33 bmi. I have lost about 20 pounds so far. I watched my mother struggle with her weight and the weight related illness and knew I did not want that. I too could lose weight but never kept it off. I would have to go on extremely low calories to lose weight. I ruined my metabolism and think this surgery will save me from a life of diabetes, heart disease, joint replacements, and pain. I do not tell people I had the surgery because most would not understand and to be honest I was embarrassed I could not do it on my own and keep it off. Thank you for the post!