POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS
Lower BMI Having Sleeve on 9/28/2015 - Seattle, WA
ORIGINAL POST
Hi, I am not seeing too many others who have a...
highmaintenancegalAugust 27, 2015
WORTH IT$16,000
Hi, I am not seeing too many others who have a 30-31 BMI getting sleeved (I am a self-pay), so I thought I would start a log of my journey. I am 5' 7.5" and weight 200 lbs. I just turned 50 and need to get back on track weight-wise because of my profession (I'm in the military). I was 135 lbs for many, many years in my 20's (even after two kids) and then I started creeping up when I went to law school in my early 30's. My highest weight was 221 when I was 35. I then went on a low carb diet and lost 60 lbs in six months and kept it off for more than 10 years. In my late 40's I was putting on a few pounds here and there until last October when I was up to 175 and I was putting on weight almost every day despite a strict diet and exercise. My doctor says my weight gain is most likely hormone related, but I went on bio-identical hormones in March 2015 and have gained 15 lbs since then (I have now stopped taking the hormones). Because of my line of work I have to maintain my weight to keep my job. Therefore, I decided to do something very drastic and get sleeved.
I went to several bariatric seminars given by different surgical teams in my area and I really thought that I had decided on a place, except that I kept having to chase them (they would schedule phone appointments with me and then never call). Once I finally had the phone screening I said I wanted to go forward and I was told someone would call to schedule my appointments to see the doctor and to this day they have never called me back. That's when I went with my second choice and they have been super responsive and professional, so I think fate selected the right choice for me.
I have already met with my surgeon and had my first nutrition appointment. I have my psych visit and fitness assessment tomorrow.
I went to several bariatric seminars given by different surgical teams in my area and I really thought that I had decided on a place, except that I kept having to chase them (they would schedule phone appointments with me and then never call). Once I finally had the phone screening I said I wanted to go forward and I was told someone would call to schedule my appointments to see the doctor and to this day they have never called me back. That's when I went with my second choice and they have been super responsive and professional, so I think fate selected the right choice for me.
I have already met with my surgeon and had my first nutrition appointment. I have my psych visit and fitness assessment tomorrow.
Replies (13)
August 28, 2015
All the best for your appointments. I look forward to hearing how its all going for you. I'm the same as you, i'm 5 8 and have the same BMI. I am only at the beginning of my journey. I have just requested the info package from my surgeon. I have sleep apnea, high bp, high blood lipids etc and have struggled my whole life with weight gain and loss. From all of my research it sounds like the sleeve is the best tool to manage this for the rest of our lives! good luck :)
August 28, 2015
We're in a very similar situation. I'm 5'9" and was 212 August 1st when I began my preop weight loss for 9/10 surgery. My BMI was 31.3 at that point. Sherry1000, I agree that it's best to do a lot of research and you'll likely find the sleeve is the best option for you. There are a lot of people who have had the band removed and then did a sleeve. There's so much helpful information within this site. Good luck to you in your decision, and best of luck to you also, HighMaintenanceGal!
August 29, 2015
I go to my first seminar on Tuesday and I am real nervous, yet excited. I live in Tacoma, Wa. I will also be self pay with a 34 BMI.
September 1, 2015
Don't be nervous! The seminars are there to provide you with information on the different bariatric surgeries that are available, what recovery is like and lifestyle changes you will have to make. They will sometimes have people come and speak who have had surgery themselves so you can ask questions. They will usually give you a little booklet with information as well. Have fun!

August 30, 2015
Went I went to the actual website for lap band it stated your are eligible for the surgery with a BMI as low as 30 if you have one other qualifying condition. I called lap band and was told I was eligible and they tried to contact a doctor and set me an appoint, however that doctor's office was busy so I was told they would return my call within 48 hours. Of course that never happened.
Now I'm trying to find where it states that a person is eligible for the sleeve with a BMI as low as 30. Once I find that then I'm sure it would give me names of surgeons, but I'm having no luck. I don't want to just start making appointments & paying out of pocket for several consultations just to be told my BMI isn't high enough. If I'm not eligible for other reasons then thats understandable but I should be able to find the BMI qualification for the sleeve on the internet.
Can any of you direct me to a website for the sleeve that states a BMI of 30 is eligible?
Thanks so much, Sherry
Now I'm trying to find where it states that a person is eligible for the sleeve with a BMI as low as 30. Once I find that then I'm sure it would give me names of surgeons, but I'm having no luck. I don't want to just start making appointments & paying out of pocket for several consultations just to be told my BMI isn't high enough. If I'm not eligible for other reasons then thats understandable but I should be able to find the BMI qualification for the sleeve on the internet.
Can any of you direct me to a website for the sleeve that states a BMI of 30 is eligible?
Thanks so much, Sherry
September 1, 2015
Sherry, it is up to your surgeon/clinic to set the parameters within which they work. Most surgeons will do a sleeve with a 30 BMI and no co-morbidities. You just need to call around different bariatric surgery clinics and ask. You can google bariatric surgery and your city name or call your largest major hospital and ask for their bariatric department and find out which clinics have hospital privileges at their facility. Good luck!
UPDATED FROM highmaintenancegal
26 days pre
Psych, Nutrition and Fitness exams completed
highmaintenancegalSeptember 1, 2015
I just need to have my blood work done and my final fitness and surgeon exams and then it will be a go for 9/28! I am getting super excited, yet a bit nervous. I also have found that I am starting to crave McDonald's Quarter-Pounders! It has been a few years since I have eaten one and I have now eaten three in the last two weeks! i think it is my subconscious telling my brain, "You will never eat this level of greasy, fatty deliciousness again, so eat them while you still can." :-)
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM highmaintenancegal
Day of treatment
Had surgery, everything going great!
highmaintenancegalSeptember 29, 2015
Had surgery this morning and so far not even a tiny bit of pain or discomfort! Things may change tomorrow, but really enjoying today! ????
I have five one inch scars that they glued rather than stitched so they will sit flat and not be very visible.
My surgery took just over an hour and I was able to drink three 8 ounce bottles of water and use the restroom and walk no problem,, so they let me go home after five hours. Have been home almost three hours and have eaten one SF Jello cup and I am working on 16 oz of beef broth now.
I will update tomorrow and let you know if I had any pain.
I have five one inch scars that they glued rather than stitched so they will sit flat and not be very visible.
My surgery took just over an hour and I was able to drink three 8 ounce bottles of water and use the restroom and walk no problem,, so they let me go home after five hours. Have been home almost three hours and have eaten one SF Jello cup and I am working on 16 oz of beef broth now.
I will update tomorrow and let you know if I had any pain.
Replies (2)
September 29, 2015
Glad to hear everything went so smoothly for you! You're on your way to healthy and happy now!
I would also look long and hard at getting Lap Band rather than having a sleeve. The clinic that I am going through used to perform the most Lap Bands in the country and now they haven't done any Lap Bands in four years. They do however do a lot of Lap Band revisions taking out the Lap Band and doing sleeve surgery because the Lap Band doesn't work or has shifted. When you have the sleeve, they actually cut the part of your stomach out where the hunger hormone (Ghrelin) lives, so you don't actually much, if any, hunger again. Some people have to set timers to remind them to eat. :-)