Question:
Only 75lbs to lose - that "ok"?

I am considering the surgery but people are telling me I don't need it - I have about 75lbs to lose - isn't that "enough"?! I have sleep apnea and am so TIRED of being overweight! Advice is welcomed - especially from those were were/are "obese" maybe not morbidly.    — mrstop02 (posted on February 26, 2007)

February 26, 2007
I was 215 when I had my first consult and 190 when I went in for surgery. I had high blood pressure, and out of control diabetes. I had been 235 at my highest non pregnancy weight. My surgery almost 7 weeks ago and there were NO problems. The diabetes and blood pressure are no longer a problem. I had lap RNY. I am down only about 15 pounds, but from a size 18W to a size 10.
   — judyrchrdsn

February 26, 2007
I am waiting to have surgery. I have 80 pounds to loose, but 95 to get back to where I was 8 years ago. I have severe back pain (off work right now due to recent decline in health) High blood pressure, high cholesterol, probably sleep apnea but haven't been tested yet. My hubby says I have it. I believe it's a case by case situation. I know many heavier people who claim to have no health problems, pain, discomfort, etc. My PCP and back pain specialist are 100% convinced I need this surgery to save my health, esp my back. Have you discussed it with your doctor?
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 26, 2007
I am still in the beginning process of this Journey. Seminars, consults etc. I would say go to a WLS seminar in your area they will give you more info on the surgery and what you need to be at to qualify. It will depend on what your BMI is and how much over weight you are. I think most insurance companies require you to be at a BMI of 35-40 and atleast 100 over weight but check with your paticular policy to see. You can ask alot of questions at the seminar as well and schedule a consult with a surgeon in your area and they will let you know if your an canidate. Best of luck to you Michele
   — michelemcd

February 26, 2007
Cindy - I too am not morbidly obese, but obese. I had lap/RNY on 2/15/07. I get my staples taken out tomorrow. I want to lose 89 pounds, if I lose more, great, but my personal goal is 89 pounds. I believe your answer lies in two places 1.) your insurance and medical group. Both my insurance company and medical group had their own eligiblity requirements - of course, they couldn't be the same so you need to see if you qualify with them to begin with. 2.) go to a seminar, support group or a consult with your chosen surgeon, they can answer a lot of questions re: procedures and practices. I was 286 my highest weight. Pre-surgery diet (2 weeks full fluids) I was 268. Day of surgery 260. I am 248 today. It seems to be working well for me. Good luck with your journey!
   — jammerz

February 26, 2007
Hi Cindy: The decision to have wls is yours and yours alone...the people who you are telling do not walk in your shoes. I found it better to tell as few people as possible, you don't need anyone to talk you out of it. I have to lose approx. 85-90 lbs...I had RNY on 11/9 and have lost over 50 lbs...I have diabetes (still there) and sleep apnea (don't need the cpap anymore) and I feel so great and am glad I went through it. Go to the lightweights board, I spent hours on it before I had surgery....I had so many doubts and wanted to be sure I was doing the right thing. Your insurance may not cover the surgery if your BMI is not high enough...mine was at 39. If you have 75 to lose you may want to consider lapband. Good luck!
   — Sheri A.

February 26, 2007
Hi Cindy. I was 80 lbs over my 'ideal' weight when I had RNY. It's been about 8 months and I've lost around 61 lbs. My diabetes and high blood pressure are a thing of the past. I feel great, I exercise most days and I would do it again in a heartbeat!!! You have to make the decision for yourself....and once the decision's been made, DO NOT second guess yourself. You'll make the right decision for YOU! : )
   — tonidaniels913

February 26, 2007
i am 5'8ft and weighed about 246 pounds my bmi was approx 32/34, i had the LAP band surgery done, not so much as a weight loss surgery (although i do have a good 60 pounds to loose) but more of a way to make sure i didnt gain the weight id lost on my own back, because in the last year i began gaining weight back at a rapid pace, i know this sounds vain, but it was more of a lifestyle choice than anything else. you can have the surgery done, but insurance will not cover it (most likely not atleast). i paid privatley for mine. so far ive lost 20 pounds in 4 months and am very happy with my decision, i was tired of fighting a losing battle, and this has really helped, but weigh your options carefully, its not without its downsides. if you think you can lose the weight yourself with diet and excersize then i would try it first, i was dieting and excersizing for about 2 years and nothing was happening, so i was really desperate to stop packing on the pounds! good luck whatever you do.
   — jaqui M.

February 26, 2007
I would say you need to investigate a couple of things. What your insurance company covers and what your doctor adivses. With your BMI being only a 32 you might want to go the lapband route rather than RNY. Don't let others discourage you on your journey. They have no idea the feeling of always being overweight. Good Luck on your journey to better health.
   — njkbutton

February 26, 2007
Hi There, I lived with 70-130 lbs of excess weight for 18 years of my adult life...miserable and sad over it. No one knows the trauma you go through but others on the same path. I was borderline and my surgeon req
   — Kathy A C.

February 26, 2007
Hi There, I lived with 70-130 lbs of excess weight for 18 years of my adult life...miserable and sad over it. No one knows the trauma you go through but others on the same path. I was borderline and my surgeon required 100 lbs over "normal" chart weight for my height nefore he would do the surgery. I had the RnY. Given the chance to relive it, I may have gone with the lap band instead of rNy. You should have it done if you can. I recommend it to anyone. You are under the weight in many insurance policies for qualifying. Re-think getting a lap band instead of rNy. It is less invasive and you can still absorb nutrients better. The RnY has a lot of built in health issues. I am almost 5 years out from mine and though I am happy I did it, I wish I had thought it through and gotten the lap band instead. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best on your journey. Love from Massachusetts... Kathy :0)
   — Kathy A C.

February 26, 2007
Hi Cindy, I had my first consult with my doctor last October and was told they can not to the Lap-band procedure for patients with a BMI lower than 35. I just squeeked in at 35.5 My insurance would not pay for it because I did not have any other co-morbidities, but I didn't want to wait until I had other issues to go along with being obese before doing something. I was banded on Dec 15, 2006. I have lost 40 pounds (half of what I want to lose) and I feel GREAT. It was the BEST thing I ever did. I too had friends/family who thought I wasn't "obese enough" to have surgery, but it was my decision. I chose the band vs. bypass since I had less to lose and was very concerned about long term effects of bypass. I am very happy with my decision.
   — ChristinaS

February 26, 2007
Cindy thanks for your question. If you have RNY done, you risk losing too much weight. If you think you are tired of being overweight, imagine being tired of being too thin! Be VERY careful in your decision on surgery. Perhaps a lap band would be a good choice for you. I know if you did an RNY and had real success at it, you could be dangerously thin and not able to recover from it. I lost 120 pounds, and that was more than I expected. I am at a great weight, but if you follow all the rules and exercise well you can lose quite a bit. The other issue you will have is that I image you are not a 40 BMI. If you are not close to that margin, you will have to self pay for the surgery. Lap band runs about $12K to $20K, and RNY runs about $35K. It is not cheap. Do a lot of research. Prayer and seeking God's advice was important on my list. I wish you well in your decision. Take care. Patricia P
   — Patricia P

February 26, 2007
Cindy, No one can walk in your shoes - you alone understand the pain of what it's like to carry each of those additional pounds. That being said - be very careful about which course of action you choose - this is the decision that will affect you for the remainder of your life. And we want for the remainder to be a wonderful, happy, healthy time! :) Be sure to check out the Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy (also seen as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) - it's a purely restrictive procedure, and my surgeon offers it to people who would have a similar situation to your own. I've seen some wonderful results with these folks - it's exciting to see their successes! My big thing that I would urge you to pay attention to is actual surgical specs that a surgeon is married to. For instance, my surgeon gives patients a LOT of restriction - i.e., for the Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy, he gives patients a 50cc stomach capacity. Patients are having the best results with that kind of restriction, and that's his passion - to make sure his patients have an excellent quality of life as post-ops. Anyway - best of luck to you! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

February 27, 2007
How tall are you and what do you weigh? This surgery is a life changing thing and you have to be absolutely certain you need it and that you can live with it. 75 pounds is not that much really, unless you have some life threatening illnesses, such as diabetes, etc. But, if you meet the protocol for the surgery, and you want it, you need to make your own decision down the road.
   — blm4602

February 27, 2007
Hi Cindy: I got the same response when I told people that I was thinking of having this surgery so I quit telling people. It was my decision and I wanted to do it for my health. I was 235 when I started and 5'5" - I'm 5 months out - and I've lost 70 lbs. I've gone from a 2X to a 14 and it feels great. I no longer have diabetes and my cholesteral should be down. I feel like a new person and my surgery was well worth it. (RNY) Don't listen to other people because you have to do this for yourself and it's your decision. Good luck .
   — Carol A.

March 1, 2007
personally, I would not have this major surgery if I only had that much weight to lose. It is not as though you will be doing anything differrent. You will still need to diet and exercise all your life. I am glad I had the surgery, but wish I could have gone without it.
   — Novashannon

March 3, 2007
Cindy, I only have 85 pounds to lose. I had my surgery this past September. I am almost 6 months out and have lost 70 pounds. Only 15 more to go. Prior to the surgery I was taking 8 prescription drugs, had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesteral. I am now taking only one prescription drug, no high blood pressure and can sleep without my c-pap machine without snoring. Would I have the surgery over again. Absolutely. It has changed my life. It has it's ups and downs, but the positives out weigh the negatives. Even before the surgery I had good and bad days. So what's new. I now have mostly good days. Follow your own heart and mind. If you do all the research and have a good support group, you will be just fine. Good luck. Janet Kendall (OH)
   — janet-tsj

March 10, 2007
Hi Cindy ----- You should go to a LapBand seminar or research it on the net. You might be interested in the less-invasive procedure. I am not against the RNY, but in some cases, I find the LapBand preferable.
   — karentherese

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