Hello,

I'm in the process of scheduling my sleeve surgery and am wondering if anyone else with a lower BMI has had it done or is going to have it done?

I was 5'2 and 173 pounds. Some may think that's not a lot but for me, it has created a problem worth going for the surgery for. I developed periodontal disease, was pre diabetic and the pcos had caused for the period to go missing for over two years. But when I tell people that my bmi was only 31, they think I am crazy for getting the surgery done because I was not big enough and only in my 20s.
I did not want to become Middle aged and 300 pounds before finally making this decision. I needed to get healthy and hiring a personal trainer did not do it for me. Went for surgery despite a lot of negative criticism from everyone around me and with only the support of my teenaged sister. It took me 11 months of dieting with 10000 steps a day to lose 44 pounds. I am 4 pounds away from my goal weight and I have never been more proud of myself for going through with my decision. I am not super strict with myself but I eat healthy. If I want ice cream, I have ice cream but in moderation. I am careful not to stretch my new tummy and life is good. I have not consumed any protein shakes in the last 4 weeks and instead of gaining, I lost 4 pounds.

My bmi was 30 sleeved April 2017

My bmi was 30 sleeved April 2017

I was 30+ BMI with no hope of it staying down even after losing successfully through diet & exercise multiple times up to 50 lbs.

The ASMBS has a paper/study advocating benefits of bariatric surgery for ppl with 30-35 BMI. Look it up.

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On 8/10/2016 at 0:30 PM, SD123 said:

Thank you SoCalGal77. I would really hope that no one would get nasty about his post. I would hope that people choose to have this surgery to better their health and improve the way they feel - which includes their confidence level. I am currently 50-60lbs over weight (I'm only 5'3) - that is considered obese. Does someone that weighs 350lbs look at someone who weighs 250lbs and would kill to be their weight?.... This is also not my heaviest weight as I have struggled for years going up and down, diet to diet with no success - all the while feeling incredibly insecure and unhappy. I want to become healthy again and feel confident and happy with myself. I definitely have many more questions to be answered about the surgery - which will now include the bougie size. Thank you for the information and for sharing your story!

Yes, I would kill to be 250lbs. I'm currently 387, but I'm also 5'11".

I will admit to being critical of those that started with a lower weight/BMI, but I began to realize that those lower numbers were associated with smaller people. And those smaller people could have a host of other issues effecting their body. These forums have opened my eyes to many of the different reasons people have the surgery and helped me to adjust my thinking.

I'm not going to hate you or think ill of you for trying to do what is best for you and your body. I wish you success in this journey!

I started the process at 35, had surgery when my bmi was 33. I had high cholesterol, high BP, pre diabetes, and type II hiatal hernia. All are resolved, 8 weeks later. Easy surgery, the only issue I'm having is dumping. Black beans, sugar free pudding, ham, and it's slightly distressing me. But I've gone from 195 to 159 in 8 weeks.

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BMI 35. Scheduled for 10/25. Considered “low BMI” by my bariatric clinic.

I M 50 lbs over weight and I have scheduled my procedure for oct 30. ( Hoping to reschedule to a sooner date ) I am private pay. I know alot of people will judge me but I do not have the willpower and I am so tired of weight been a big issue in my life. I am very curious about how other people with less weight to lose as some have done as well

I had a BMI of 37 and all I hear is how I don't weigh enough to get it done. I am 4'11" and was 189 - I am 177 now.

What people don't know is how unhealthy my body is. Type 2 diabetic, borderline stroke blood pressure (we have it somewhat controlled now), NASH, sleep apnea. My fatty liver was bad enough 5 years ago that he told me if I did not lose weight I would have damage to my liver in 10 years so really that is was what prompted me to lose weight. It was my GI doctor that suggested I look into weight loss surgery.

On 9/25/2016 at 0:34 PM, trainer-1 said:

I was considered "morbidly obese" at 232#, because of my height and had lapband surgery, lost 70# and was still obese. Due to lapband failure, aspirating during the night, my band was unfilled and I regained a significant amount of weight causing me to be pre-diabetic, have high cholesterol, a fatty liver and severe achilles tendinitis. I had successful weight loss with the lapband, which is also a restrictive surgery. With weight loss from my upcoming gastric sleeve, my health issues should resolve. Just because I have a low BMI doesn't mean I should be a less qualified candidate than someone with a BMI of 45. Co-morbidities kind of evens out the playing field. Before you judge one person to be less qualified then another.....take all data into account

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This right here! Nearly identical to my story. My lap band was removed in Feb 2017 after I had it 8 years. My revision to sleeve is on Nov. 1, 2017. My BMI got down to 27 the first 2 years with the lap band but due to many issues including one surgery to repair it 5 years ago my weight crept up about a 10-14 pounds a year. My BMI is now about 37ish. A lot of people would look at me and think I should not need something as drastic as WLS but I don't want to go back to what I was. I have tried everything and just can't do it on my own. Good luck on your journey!

I am 5'2" and have a BMI of 32, an I am scheduled for surgery 11.17.17. I am insulin resistant, suffer from metabolic syndrome, PCOS, and pre-diabetic. I did not come to this decision lightly, but I have yo-yo'd for many years (Phen-Fen, HCG, Weight Watchers, Keto) you name it, I've tried it, and the weight always comes back. I personally think that this is going to be much less detrimental to my health in the long run than some of the past options I've tried, and not to mention the constant ups & downs. My husband does not think that I need it, but is 100% supportive of my decision. I am ready to take charge of my life.

Yes, Im having mine 10/28

This right here! Nearly identical to my story. My lap band was removed in Feb 2017 after I had it 8 years. My revision to sleeve is on Nov. 1, 2017. My BMI got down to 27 the first 2 years with the lap band but due to many issues including one surgery to repair it 5 years ago my weight crept up about a 10-14 pounds a year. My BMI is now about 37ish. A lot of people would look at me and think I should not need something as drastic as WLS but I don't want to go back to what I was. I have tried everything and just can't do it on my own. Good luck on your journey!

My bmi is 35 (or was on surgery day 10/25) and I got the same story. “You don’t need it”....!uhm, check my medical chart dearie and we can talk after you read that encyclopedia [emoji23]

When you're over 30+ BMI, have given it your all more or less to lose weight and have failed and yoyo-ed more times than you can count, the years gi by and you're not getting any thinner,. then I would take statements like "you don't need WLS" as an insult. Majority, and I do mean majority of what kills Americans today is directly related, if not caused by being overweight and/or obese. My VSG was God send with Dr Ortiz in TJ. I can't remember last time I weighed 168 at 5'9" as a man... too long ago, probably high school, and am 41 now.

Excess weight ruins your mood, outlook, health, satisfaction, sex life, chances of promotion, increases singlehood, stamina, strength... the list goes on and on. Even smoking cigarettes at 2 packs a day, I would consider it less dangerous than being a fatass. Not saying you should take up a nasty smoking habit but I'm convinced being fat is far more dangerous to you than smoking.

Take charge of your life, break your foodie addiction and have the WLS. The alternatives are not appealing.

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When you're over 30+ BMI, have given it your all more or less to lose weight and have failed and yoyo-ed more times than you can count, the years gi by and you're not getting any thinner,. then I would take statements like "you don't need WLS" as an insult. Majority, and I do mean majority of what kills Americans today is directly related, if not caused by being overweight and/or obese. My VSG was God send with Dr Ortiz in TJ. I can't remember last time I weighed 168 at 5'9" as a man... too long ago, probably high school, and am 41 now.

Excess weight ruins your mood, outlook, health, satisfaction, sex life, chances of promotion, increases singlehood, stamina, strength... the list goes on and on. Even smoking cigarettes at 2 packs a day, I would consider it less dangerous than being a fatass. Not saying you should take up a nasty smoking habit but I'm convinced being fat is far more dangerous to you than smoking.

Take charge of your life, break your foodie addiction and have the WLS. The alternatives are not appealing.

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Exactly! My mother died at the very young age of 51 due to a multitude of weight/obesity related issues. She missed out on seeing her grandchildren grow up and so many other wonderful moments in life. I don't want to repeat that which is why I'm doing what I can to take charge of my life.



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my BMI was 33 - so my insurance (Kaiser) would not cover it. I decided to have my surgery in Mexico with Dr. Lopez-Corvala. My father had a triple bypass, my brother had a massive heart attack at 48 (thankfully survived) and my other brother had diabetes. When I was younger, I worked out at a gym 6 days a week and managed my weight that way.
Now I am 59 - and have tried unsuccessfully to lose 60 lbs for many years. only my family knows I had the surgery, for two reasons 1) I didn't want to hear "you weren't that big, you could have lost it on your own" and 2) you went to Mexico?!!!
It was the best decision I made. Sadly, when I was in Mexico, my younger sister got very ill from obesity related disease, and passed away the week I returned. That confirmed that I definitely made the right decision.

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