Hello everyone, I am new here and this is my first post. I have been looking all over the internet to find people who have had VSG with a starting BMI of under 40. My current BMI fluctuates between 34-36. I have about 70 lbs to lose to be considered "healthy weight." I am 30 years old, 5'7 and about 230 lbs. My goal weight would be 159.

Has anyone else had this surgery with a starting BMI 35 or under? What was your experience like? I am going to seminar in about 10 days at my local bariatric surgeon's office and hope to learn more then. I am nervous about the idea of having major surgery and keep telling myself that maybe I just haven't tried hard enough in the past to lose weight. However, I have never successfully lost any significant amount of weight on my own and worry I will only keep gaining as I get older. ON top of all of this, I have had 4 people in my family die of heart disease and most of my relatives over 40 have diabetes. I currently do not have any co-morbidity but am worried that I could be there soon.

I would love to hear anyone else's experiences (or be directed to another post) or hear any advice anyone has to offer!

Thanks!

On 04/14/2018 at 09:48, elle2 said:

I am 5'7" and had a starting BMI of 34. I was tired of being heavy, and went ahead and scheduled surgery in Mexico with the OCC. My only wish was that I had done it sooner! It's been less than a year, and my BMI is 22. I haven't felt this good in years.

Any advice on how to constantly lose weight? I have a 34-35 BMI and surgery is Wednesday. I want to make the most of it

I am self pay and my starting BMI was 35. I am one day postop and my BMI on the day of surgery (yesterday) was 33.

9 hours ago, gully90 said:

On 4/13/2018 at 6:21 PM, sharonintx said:

I had a BMI of 36, self pay in Mexico, had no problems during or after surgery, have lost about 70 lbs, gain a few sometimes and have to eat more carefully.

Overall good.

Was the weight loss steady? Any tips

It was steady for the 1st 8-9 months then slowed way down. After the 1st year I weighed 170 and stayed there for 2 years, then eventually lost 20 more pounds without really trying. I stay between 150-155 now unless I eat a bunch of candy. It isn't hard to gain a few pounds but is not hard to lose them either. The best tip I can give is to realize this is a permanent change and don't focus so much on the weight loss because it will come. From my perspective you should focus more on your emotional and spiritual well being. That's where the answers can be found - not on the number on the scale.

I was happy to find this thread. BMI 35 and scheduled for VSG October 18. Any updates from those of you who had surgery earlier this year?

My starting BMI was 35.5. no co morbidities, but a family history that concerned me. I self paid through Blossom Bariatric. Three weeks from first appointment to surgery. I did have a full day where I met with a counselor and nutritionist, and had to show a history of previous attempts to lose weight. Perhaps the wait is longer without that history.

I lost 40 lbs in the first 3 months. I was very strict in observing my diet and exercise routine. I've been less careful since (I'm 8 months out now) and have only lost an additional 10 pounds. I'd like to lose at least 15 more, and know that would be easily accomplished with strict adherence to diet and exercise.

On 09/02/2018 at 09:29, ItsJustMeToo said:

My starting BMI was 35.5. no co morbidities, but a family history that concerned me. I self paid through Blossom Bariatric. Three weeks from first appointment to surgery. I did have a full day where I met with a counselor and nutritionist, and had to show a history of previous attempts to lose weight. Perhaps the wait is longer without that history.

I lost 40 lbs in the first 3 months. I was very strict in observing my diet and exercise routine. I've been less careful since (I'm 8 months out now) and have only lost an additional 10 pounds. I'd like to lose at least 15 more, and know that would be easily accomplished with strict adherence to diet and exercise.

Thanks for this - very helpful! I’m also self pay with the full blessing of my PCP based on my history/family history. I’m scheduled for VSG on Oct 18 with an ecg and first appointment with psychologist over the next few weeks. My surgeon didn’t actually require (or even suggest) the psych evaluation/ support but so far I have opted not to tell anyone about my upcoming surgery and know that I’ll need to build a different kind of support system! Thanks again for sharing your experience - congratulations on your progress so far and good luck with those remaining 15!

My husband is the only one that knows. People are judgey about WLS in general, but low BMIers get extra levels of judgement. No thanks. I know it's not popular around here, but I figure it's no one's business and there's literally no reason to share with others. My husband came along for all my pre surgery stuff and he (and this message board) were all the support I needed.