Thing about not going through with surgury. I think my bmi is too high. I might wait for a year. The risks are too much at my bmi. I was approved for surgury but i was told anyone with a bmi 70 or higher is too high risk to operate on. I have a bmi of 64. So i think i will wait or not go through with it at all.

hugs. that's a difficult decision to make.

Definately not an easy decision. But you will also have to consider that another year and it could mean an even higher BMI.

Hi Kingston Guy,
There are always risks with surgery. I hope that you are also weighing the risks to your health if you don't have the surgery.
I know that the doctors would not approve you for surgery if they thought that you would not pull through. They just don't do elective surgery on someone who they believe is a poor operative risk. They must tell all of us that there is a risk to having the surgery and we are all at a higher risk than the general public because of our weight but this surgery is intended to make you healthy.
I know that this is a tough decision but you should be very sure before you go forward.Good luck.
Carol

Tough one!

Just to let you know... My starting BMI was 56.5 so that definitely put me in the higher risk category. My surgery was smooth sailing and now, six months later, my BMI is 34 (so I wouldn't even qualify any longer!)

If you're postponing the surgery because you're making an informed decision, then great. Just make sure this isn't the regulare pre-op nerves that affect us all. Do you have co-morbidities that make the surgery even more risky?  Opting for surgery is a very personal decision. I hope you come to a decision you feel good about. Maybe get some advice from others who started at a BMI close to yours. Good luck!

 what everyone else has said!  I was not in the higher risk so my decision was easier, though at a much higher weight I think I would have jumped at the opportunity even more.  Hope your health holds out and you find a way to shed some weight to do it in the future!  Regards!  

 That's a tough decision but my BMI was 56.7 when I had my surgery and I also had a HUGE hernia that needed to be repaired at the same time.    I also had several second thoughts as my surgery was going to be 4 to 5 hours to complete the RNY and hernia repair but they would not have approved it if they didn't think I would benefit from it and be successful.  

You need to do what is best for you and what you are comfortable with.

Good Luck,

Patrick

I wish you well in whatever you decide.  

I do want to say a few things just for you to think about.  

Time is not your friend with morbid obesity.   take the time and try weight loss on your own.  I definitely give kudos to anyone that can do this on their own although realistically the odds are not in our favour.  But please don't hesitate to begin the process again should you see it's not working for you.  especially if a year has passed.  Nothing is more important than your health.   Nothing.   

Consider reading the bmi board here too for those who are 51 and over.  There are many, many people who've had surgery that have a higher bmi than 64. Read dsfacts.com for more info on the DS. 

Weigh****chers is the program that Ohip says has the best statistics next to wright loss surgery.  
This might be something you wish to look in to if you can afford it.   

It never hurts to read more and learn more.  At least later on should you consider it again, you'll have more feathers in your cap.   It is really eat to get spooked along the process too.   

Whatever road you choose, I wish you well :/)


Dawn

There are many of us on this board who had a bmi over 60. Mine was 62.9 and I had no issues at all. Are you sure it isn't just nerves making you think this way? I wish you well in whatever you decide to do.

Ultimately you have to do it when the time is right for you.

I wasn't ready in 2008 and a year or so later I was so ready I didn't care if I died on the table, I was living in hell anyway.

My concern would be your current health and the risk of heart attack etc.
(If you wait will you lose weight?)

Good luck with your decision.

You are just a phone call away from a surgery date...maybe it's just nerves? I wish you well, and hope you make the decision that is right for you.

Very hard decision indeed. I had a BMI of 66,6 (I'll always remember the devil's number...lol) when I started.  The only thing my surgeon mentioned was that I should try and lose some weight on my own and still go on with the procedures/steps to get the surgery.  Maybe you could keep going with the steps and meetings etc.  (obviously I have no idea where you are at with the steps) lose a bit and then by the time you would get to the surgery date, you would have lost a bit?  Could that be an option?

All the best to you!!!
Nathalie

I think it may just be your nerves talking as the date gets closer I think we all have the what if's. I know I only have one appointment left and then I will wait for my date with the surgeon but lately I have been second guessing myself because I am very nervous about the risks and the fact that I am giving up foods that I really enjoy. Then I start to think of the risks of not having the surgery like a week ago I had to start BP meds cus my blood prssure would not come down and I have been very sick from taking them I also have a higher chance of having diabetes as it runs in the family, I am tired of not being able to do things like walk a few blocks. 

So like everyone says there is always risks with any surgery and it is your choice maybe write down the pros and cons of having or not having the surgery and this will help you in your decision.

Good luck.

 I was the same bmi as you.  I swear.   I was okay.  Lost 220 lbs.    It's worth it.  If you need to talk, let me know :)

Bonnie

No! NO! NO!
Wrong decision and sorry, not very smart one. I had BMI of 62 and know that losing "on your own" at this level is nonsense.

There were people on this board with BMI of 90 (Jeff), 83, 68 (Cheri), and in low 60's - a dozen probably. INCLUDING MY SELF!

there is a prooven technique for high BMI and Hi risk patients - it's called TWO STAGE DS. Don't really think you need two stage, but if you are afraid of complications it makes perfect sense.

First, you get a laparascopic VSG, lose weight to the point of 50-40 BMI and get another part - intestinal witch. Each part about two hours surgeries and this schema is routinely used for higher BMI patients.


As for the BMI of 70 red line. Excuse me, but that's a personal limitation of a specific surgeon or a clinic. A surgeon, who performed thousands of general surgeries on general population and only 50-200 bariatric surgeries, often feels uncomfortable working with extremely heavy patients. Hear this all the time, (I was denied general surgery once because of it). Unfortunately, majority of Ontario surgeons fall into this category. They just don't have this "few thousands bariatric procedures" experience that makes the difference. Only four years ago we had access to surgeons who performed literally thousands of surgeries and over a decade in bariatrics with impeccable stats. They did not limit our BMI's, they might have adjusted their procedure, but definitely did not disqualify heavy weights.

I realize that it might be scary, well, guess what, we also were scared. If you give up on this surgery now, it will be the thing, you'll regret for the rest of your life.

Don't run away from the problem, get a consultation with Dr. Hong, ask for a two stage DS and get the safest and most efficient solution.

I have to say I agree with Nata.  I would get a referral to Dr. Hong and get the DS.  He is a very good surgeon with lots of experience with higher BMI's.  Going with the most experienced surgeon will give you the best chance.   I wish you the best in whatever you chose, but I know that most people who lose weight on their own don't keep it off.

I have to say I also agree with Nata.  Very good personal advice and experience.  What are you waiting for?

I completely agree! See Dr. Hong. He has done one and two stage DS procedures on SSMO patients and has also referred complicated cases to be handled (at OHIP's expense) by Dr. Gagner in Montreal. Having a BMI over 60 is an indication for DS. You have safe options! You owe yourself a consult with Dr. Hong before you make this decision!

My BMI was 66.  Dr. Hong (Hamilton) did a VSG for me - and maybe a DS later if I need it.  Went very smooth.

Very scary when its so close to the end, huh??

I bet a lot of people went through the same thought process as you right at the very end. Sounds like nerves to me....BUT.....

you have to think about how many times you have tried to lose weight on your own. I imagine, like most of us, that you have already treid this on your own and failed....or had success over a period of time only to regain it all and more? I dont think there are many of us who can sit here and say that they really havent tried everything they possibly could on their own to try and lose weight only to come to the realization that, we just cant without this very important tool.

Most importantly, don't let what WE say decide your fate. Talk to your doctor about your concerns to determine whether its cold feet or an actual medically sound reason to wait.

Good luck in your decision and wishing you success either way!