Gastric Sleeve W/ a Lower BMI.

Ok thank you sweets! You're going to do well. You're not very heavy. So you will notice immediate change. You're going to feel so great! I want to see some before pictures!

I will take some photos soon. Thanks again. : )

Thank you so much!

It depends on what you mean by qualify. Through insurance I have no idea because every insurance has their standards. Through Mexico, your BMI has to be a 30 or greater. Weight is like a give or take relationship. What are you willing to give up or deal with to achieve your goals. I do believe that is the weight is off we as women are less depressed. while I was not on medication, I do believe I was very depressed about my weight because I would have these meltdowns and cry when trying to get dressed or buy clothes. My husband was the same way before he had this done. All he had was a belly. And he refused to even go out places with me because he felt disgusting. He has now lost 60lbs, and his attitude is amazing. About eating being a chore, it kind of is. But I deal with it because now I am skinny like I wanted. I used to be a one maybe two time eater a day and yes I was still overweight! Ha ha... So this whole eating 6-8 times a day is annoying. But it's doable. If you're too busy to snack, take a protien shake with you. If you're like me and constantly moving, I have my center console of my expedition full of snacks. So I am ok. As far as protein, I might as well be a vegetarian because that's how much meat I eat. So many things I make have tons of protein with no meat. I actually prefer not to eat it because meat still feels so heavy in my stomach. I make lazangna with yellow squash and black beans and tamatos and onions 14g of protein per serving, cottage cheese is my favorite and it has 14g per 1 cup, greek yogurt is 10g per 1 cup, peanut butter is great... So on and so forth. Remember to only do it for you. Remember that antidepressants cause weight gain and uncontrollable eating habits. And remember its a give and take relationship. If you can accept the eating chore, then you will find great happiness in this procedure. Good luck sweet girl, and I hope you find happiness like I have.

Thanks. I was never overweight until I started taking anti depressants, that were the problem w weight began. Looking up my BMI, I would be eligible for the surgery, it's around 38. I thought you couldn't have it in the US unless it was over 40, but that's for bypass apparently. My insurance would cover the sleeve. How long were you in the hospital and your down time? I am a mom and own a business.

I had my surgery in Mexico. The states said I was not heavy enough. I barley had a 35 BMI. The states I had to be over 40. That would've put me at 250-300lbs. Hell no! I stayed in the hospital 2 days. I hurt for a few days, but was up moving right after surgery. I have three kids, so other than not picking up my toddler I was back to normal a week later.

From what I understand if ur BMI is over 30 and u have sleep apnea plus maybe back problems or joint problems u will qualify. Really all depends on ur insurance but most will qualify u with those combos of health issues. I am currently trying to get qualified myself I'm 5'5" 215lbs 47yrs and the only health problems I have is back neck and joint so I'm worried I won't gratify but keep praying all goes through

Thank you sweets! That feeling of full does about kill you. Sometimes just sometimes I get excited about something I bought food wise and take one too many bites, then I remmeber crap! I have been sleeved, and spit my last mouthful out... Ha ha

Thank you so much. You will do well. I do not regret the surgery at all.

Everyone that I speak with that has had he surgery says their only regret was that they didn't do it sooner. Your posts were very helpful and uplifting. I'm excited to get it done and over with. Looking forward to a new beginnings and a healthier me!

Thank you so much. Yes I am very happy...

Thank you! I am so excited for you. I can't wait to follow you and read your success!

Thank you so much sweetie! My waist is getting small. I am having a tummy tuck revision and I can't wait to see how small it becomes after that!

Thank you Nancy!

Thank you!

If you see in my previous posts, I did not have much post op instructions. Because I had a lower BMI to start with, I did not have to restrict to a certain amount of calories or making sure I exercise. You can if you want. I ate food starting a week post op. And just ate food when I felt like I could eat it. It's a trial and error. So you might eat something and not like the way it feels in your stomach. So don't eat it for another week. I have not even begun to exercise. I will here in a few weeks. I am at the point where my weight is finally getting better to where my knees and feet don't hurt. So I will start walking on my treadclimber. I've lost 39lbs, eating and eating and eating... Ha ha. That's all I feel like I do. Snack all day long. But healthy of course.

Lauren, I'm so glad your weight loss isn't because of exercise because that way way down on my strengths! I guess you can tell me, since our loss needs aren't so different and my BMI not the big issue too, is it controlling the amount you eat at each of those day long snacking events?

Yes. I eat very little, but because our body needs more nutrients it wants more. Plus for such a small amount it digests very quickly. So I'll wake up and eat a yogurt then two hours later some cheese, the 2 hours later some grapes and almonds. Basically every two hours I feel hungry to eat a small snack. I've never been a sweets eater, and if I try sweets it still is not good to me. I can't even stand gaterorade now. Too sweet. So I drink tons of water in between eating.

How many calories do you think you eat a day? Also, I take it you need to take a lot of supplements afterwards? Congratulations on making it into the 160's. At my height - 164 pounds is my idea weight - it puts me at a US size 8/10. My only problem with losing weight is that my face looks so much better at 200 pounds - once I start to go below 180 my face starts to look gaunt.

I probably consume 800 to 1000 calories a day. This is because my stomach is still little. I'm sure I will be able to easily consume more as time goes on. I take not a tons of supplements. I think I wrote it in a previous post. 2 muilti's in the morning with an acid reducer, biotin, and a b12. And a calcium a at noon. Then 2 multivitamins at night. So nothing crazy. Believe me I hate taking pills, so had I of had to consume too much I wouldn't have got this done. I don't really drink protein shakes anymore because I am able to consume my 50-60 grams a day. If I know I am going to be running errands and appointments all day, I will make one and take it with me with a few snacks. This is because I don't have time to eat when running around all day. As far as your face goes. My husband is the same way, his face looks better with weight, but he has still gotten the sleeve. I feel something you don't like can always be corrected. So maybe a chemical peel and or face lift, a little Botox and juviderm.... Maybe this might brighten things up a bit. And these are all cost effective options...

Very true - I have thought of fillers to plump up my face. One further question - how bad is your acid reflux?

You know I don't feel anything.... Like coming up. I've never had acid reflux and with this surgery I notice I was having a lot of atach pain about a month out. I couldn't figure out what the deal was. Well I had stopped taking my acid reducer because I was like "I don't feel anything"... Well the pain was different. It more of a stomach pain. So once I started taking it again it went away. So now I just take it once a day regardless.

* stomach pain Sorry... Didn't spell check.

You crack me up! Haha... Thank you for your kind words. I haven't got anymore messages lately, but I just feel like the bigger women get more feedback and compliments. I find that odd. Because just like you said everyone deserves encouragement for wanting to be healthier... So I'm happy with myself and that's all that matters... Keep me updated on your journey as well and good luck!!!

Right On!

Thank you so much! :-) I will help whoever I can...

How can I view Pics of everyone??
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Thank you so much!