Hi there.
So I will make this as short as I can
I have had a good amount of health issues and surgeries throughout my life. I am a 34 y.o. mom of 3 who has no appendix or gallbladder. Also I have had a few brain surgeries and procedures before ultimately having to have craniotomy all thanks to a A.V.M. in my cerebellum. There was a time when I had a "G-tube" as well.

I was 210 and was starting my lifestyle changes because I was completely unhappy with myself. My primary prescribed me semiglutide pills since my weight and my fasting glucose levels weren't ideal
He also referred me to a WLS dept to gain information on the VGS.
He believes that I am perfectly healthy just overweight.

I have gone through 5 months of nutrition classes. One a month. My final class is Thursday (tomorrow) and I'm uncertain if this is for me.

I am down to 184 which I am absolutely proud of myself for. I know that with my height (5'2) the normal but high bmi is 135/136. I believe 137 starts the overweight bmi section.

I see the surgeon in Jan & psychologist in Feb. I am not sure id pass that clearance with these thoughts.
And since im on the lower end for weight loss I am afraid I would be denied anyway. I don't have any health conditions req for WLS if you don't meet bmi requirements

Haha I know im annoying. I want the surgery but then don't at the same time.

I have improved my lifestyle choices, getting more active, proportioning meals etc but I'm not sure if I continue with just these things I could lose more weight.


Ugggh I frustrate myself. Anyone start on the lower side?

Does BMI really matter.

5'2s where are you?

I know everyone carries their weight differently so it looks different on everyone.
What is comfortable?

5’3” and was 200lbs when I made my decision. For me, it’s been the best decision. But only you know what’s best for you in regards to your weight and your overall health now & in the future. I was healthy without any co morbidities before my surgery but I knew carrying the weight I was meant health issues were in my future. Only you know if you can continue on your current weight loss journey and fully adopt your new behaviours around food, eating, etc. (Congrats on the changes you have made.) Of course after surgery you have to adopt new behaviours as well, but the surgery gives you benefits (some temporary) to support you as your losing & helps gets you through the period when you’re adapting to the changes.

BMI shouldn’t be used as a hard and fast rule as to what is a healthy weight range but merely as an idea of what might be good for you. (The science/studies behind the development of the BMI metrics is flawed and did not take in many factors like ethnicity, muscle mass, your frame/build, age, etc.). You’re right, everyone carries their weight differently (I carried it all over) and what’s a comfortable weight for one may not be for someone else. Some people feel happier at a higher weight whilst others don’t. Some here have got to a lower weight but happily settle at a higher weight. I thought my goal of 132lbs was fine for me and achievable. I had always been happy at that weight. I ended up less than that (108) and I feel great at this weight. Discovered I actually am quite finely built and so I look slim/tiny but not bony. And I still have an hourglass shape though the ratio is much smaller than before (lol!).

Usually, your approval for surgery is based upon your starting weight (before your classes not your weight after you’ve completed them. So your starting weight would make you eligible in most cases, Why not meet with the surgeon, see what they suggest. Ask too if you can delay your decision & for how long so you can see how you continue on your own.

I know I haven’t answered your questions & have only given you some more things to consider but I hope they help you decide your next steps. All the best whatever you choose to do.

Edited December 12, 20241 yr by Arabesque

@Arabesque hit all the important points. I will reitterate that it's hard to fail the psych approval or any WLS approval really. Honestly, the thoughts you are having are not unusual. Many of us worried about not being approved because we did so much wrong to get to our weight (I was 500 pounds overweight). It doesn't matter. Even knowing this I still fretted over the psych evaluation. I was certain I would be rejected for this life saving surgery. But I fooled them and was approved. You too will be approved.

If you believe you can lose your weight and keep it off, then do it. Surgery is forever.

Evaluate your history of weight loss attempts, if any. Many of us could lose weight. It was being consistent and maintaining that was the problem. If I honestly believed I could lose the weight and keep it off without WLS I would have done it. But I had 20 years of not being able to do it no matter my beliefs that I could.

For me, my comfortable weight is just barely into 'overweight' because I'm tall and I didn't like being a stick (I was 'underweight' for a while). This decission is also all you. It's your body. There is no law that you have to have a normal BMI.

Do you. Trust yourself.

Tek

you are ready when you are ready.

it took me 2 extra years and 2 (self-inflicted) surgery postponement/cancellations until i finally bit the bullet and had it done. oh and i even gained an extra 35 lbs during those indecisive years for good measure.

only u can decide if ur ready. i will offer a suggestion though...maybe go though with the process to the official approval step (if u get one) and just postpone ur surgery date instead of cancelling altogether. this way if u do decide to go through with it, you don't have to start at the beginning.

also, *raises hand* i am 5'2" as well!

this is what weight loss looked like on MY 5'2" frame.

(the collage below is from my first year progress pics plus a couple pics after my plastics and 2nd & 3rd yr anniversaries. i am 6+ yrs out now, and pretty much look the same as my last pic...but i do weigh about 10lbs less today)

I am your age, and a mom myself.

I never considered WLS until 2 years back when I went through a very bad foot injury that significantly reduced my mobility, prior to that I was always fit and in shape. I was already 15 kilos over my normal weight, and due to my injury I gained another 15 to be 30 kilos over my normal weight. I was at BMI 33 (also on the low side), I am 5'6 and my highest weight was 90 kgs/198 lbs. Aside from my injured ankle, I never had any health issues, my tests always came back fantastic. However, I knew that if I didn't manage my ever creeping weight, mobility - and other health issues - would be in the cards.

It took me one whole year to make up my mind about the surgery, I was doing everything right - things that worked for me in the past -, eating well, exercising and being overall healthy, but my weight wouldn't budge. I decided to do it in Feb, and got it in December.

Knowing what I know now, and how it has transformed my life, I wish I did it sooner. That's not to say that YOU need to do it, only you can decide that for yourself. And like @ms.sss said, you are ready when you are ready. I just thought sharing my experience would help since we are both close in age/young moms. Feel free to reach out if you need any more info.

Good luck ❤️

Edited February 24, 20251 yr by Lilia_90