Question:
I have a question about my BMI and weight

hi, im 5'1 and weight 252pds. i have a BMI of 47.6. when i tell people that im going to have a gastric bypass they say im to small...and dont have that much to lose (130 pds). if im to small why cant i see my feet and ache all the time? I want to get the surgery i feel its my only hope. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Im starting to think maybe they are anti gastric bypass people lol...any advice will be great THanks!!    — cinamoni (posted on May 8, 2003)


May 8, 2003
I got that too. I started out at 5' 6" and 277lbs. Everyone was like, you arent that big.. you dont look it, so on and so forth. I felt that big though. At 24 years old and huffing and puffing to get up stairs, I decided it was time. Eventually I hit a bottom where I decided that this is what I would do. I perservered and now, I am 11 weeks post op and down 44lbs. Can feel all the difference in the world. Do what makes you happy. My mother didnt support this going in, and she still doesnt now. (she makes nasty comments all the time). My hubby was 100% supportive and for it. He lived around me and knew what a day in my life was like. My advice--if you believe this will make you happy and get you to your goal weight, do the research and get it done. I researched for about 6-9 months prior.
   — Carla M.

May 8, 2003
Hi Amy - Those were my stats the day of my surgery 8 weeks ago. You qualify, so go for it if you want. One thing that may be going on with your friends, is that they might not see you as big, even though you feel the effects of your weight. My friends would tell me this -- they just didn't see my weight as an issue - they just saw me. On the other hand, they were and continue to be very supportive of me having surgery because they know how my weight was affecting me physically. The other thing, related to the first, is that they probably don't know your weight, so all they can go by is how you appear to them. God bless them that they don't think you need the surgery because you "aren't big enough". I love friends who are blind to my flaws and imperfections! Cherish them. Now, if they do know your weight, how you are being affected by your weight, and they still deny that you need it, then maybe there are other issues going on there for them. But don't get caught up in their issues. Do what you need to do for you. Go for it! Many blessings, Robin
   — rebalspirit

May 8, 2003
On the day of my surgery I was just over a 40 BMI, 40. something. I heard the same thing and just replied, "Thanks, I know, I am just barely able to qualify." I left it at that. Morbidly obese means that it will kill you eventually, so don't let people make you doubt yourself. My mom is about your size and I think it is the height that makes you seem small. I think most family and close friends will stay stuff like that because they are worried or just don't have all of the facts. Don't worry, they come around. My mom who thought I was being too extreme is now planning surgery herself. I am very proud of her and happy! Good Luck!
   — Carol S.

May 8, 2003
Amy.. your BMI is well within range to qualify for this surgery. I've gotten the same comments, but I think its because they fear the unknown, or maybe a bit envious. However, you have to do what is important for your health. If you're anything like me, I've done it all, tried it all and spent a fortune on every diet imaginable. My BMI is 47 and even though there are those that say "you don't weigh enough (yeah right)" or "you look fine the way you are" (yeah right again), YOU are the one that lives in your body and you know how you feel physically and emotionally. Do it for yourself, and don't try to please everyone. Blessings :-)
   — Happy I.

May 8, 2003
I barely qualified at 40 BMI and I'm short so people thought I was smaller and weighed less than I did. Still, I was having trouble walking, breathing and doing ordinary things. That's A LOT of extra weight to carry around especially when you are low to the ground. I was in a car accident 8 weeks after surgery. I had only lost 30 lbs at that point but that was enough to help me in my post accident healing. When I was in ICU they interviewed me for a spot on the rehabilitation unit. They said I would work my butt off to heal my injuries (legs and shoulders). Before surgery I could NOT have done it (which would have meant WEEKS on a convalescent unit instead of 1 week on rehab). The weight loss after the surgery made a HUGE difference in how I walked and how much stamina I had. I wanted to look better but most of all I wanted to feel better. After my accident I saw what a difference being smaller can be for your health.
   — susanje

May 8, 2003
I was also a "lightweight," with a BMI of 42 at time of consult (40 BMI on the *nose* on day of surgery). I looked at it this way: Without the surgery, I had no doubt my weight (and BMI) would keep rising, even if I managed another big diet (after which I'd regain, and then some). Couldn't see how waiting to get even heavier would make the surgery easier for me. So I went ahead, and I still compare how I am now (at 140 lbs.) to where I would have been without the surgery (probably pushing 285-300 lbs. by now, and growing). If your own diet and exercise patterns tell you you'll only be getting bigger, more sore, less mobile, more depressed, less healthy, etc., if you keep on with what you've tried before, then that's a big reason to have the surgery regardless what other folks think. They don't have to live in your skin, and it's you -- not them -- who takes on the risks.
   — Suzy C.

May 8, 2003
original poster here...thanks so much...i love this website. Ya'll are great!! im 25 and im ready to start living again. My husband is very supportive also.I dont know what other people see..when i look in the mirror i see all 252 pds!!I cant wait to get this surgery and start being a mom to my kids. I cant wait for them to climb in my lap...ill finally have one!! thanks to all you guys you made my day with your inspirations...bless you all!!! Love
   — cinamoni

May 8, 2003
Amy - I am 6 weeks out and have lost about 37 lbs. I weighed 255 at 5'2" - so we're similar. I can honestly tell you I feel so much better already! My feet barely hurt and I'm so much more active (chase my kids and give piggie back rides!!) The folks who love me didn't see my weight as an issue and the same folks who love me are so happy for me now! I believe I also feel good because I eat so much healthier now... no more sodas, wine, handfuls of chips without thinking.... I drink water and eat regular food, but only a little bit now! Good luck to you...this really does improve so much about your life!
   — teresa M.

May 8, 2003
Amy- I know alot have posted already, but I just wanted to add something as well. I'm very similar to you, I'm 5'2" and was 250lbs. I'm also young (23) and decided I didn't want to live the best years of my life being heavy. I knew it was time to do something, and I'm glad I did. Within a year, I lost 120lbs. and am at my goal weight of 130#! Despite a complication, I still wouldn't take this back for anything. I am truly living my life how I should be, and being happy about it! I wish you the best of luck :-)
   — Lezlie Y.

May 8, 2003
I got a lot of this too...even from the other girls having surgery the same week as me (What are you doing here?)...People in town were basically flabbergasted, but they've known me for 28 years as heavy. Now that I'm at 160 they tell me everyday "You're melting, you'll blow away" and I try to tell them I'm still overweight. They act like I'm anorexic now it's kind of funny. Everyone says "When are you going to stop?" But you have to do what YOU feel...not what they say.
   — Kimberley E.

May 9, 2003
I started at 5'3" and 253. I am one of those fortunate people that has always carried my weight well, but I was still very overweight. when I met my new PCM in November and he agreed to give me a referral for surgery he asked his nurse to make the arrangements. She stood there and stared at me and then asked what exactly is she having bypassed Doctor?. I laughed and told her the referral was for gastric bypass. She said " oh you arent big enough". I told her trust me look at my chart and see the weight and I know I qualify according to my insurance so please just do the referral. She did it thak goodness. As I went through all of my preop appointments I heard from many healthcare professionals that I wasnt big enough for surgery. I told them that both my pcm and my surgeon believe that this is the best way for me to deal with the excess weight. And I would thank them for thinking I wasnt big enough but I would also remind them that they had not seen me naked. Currently I am 9weeks postop and I have lost 55 lbs. So basically just do it for yourself, know that your pcm and your surgeon would not approve of the surgery if you didnt meet the guidelines. Remember, this is your decision not anyone elses. In the end you will feel better and that is what is important.
   — kaysjourney

May 9, 2003
I remember reading a similiar thread before about what to say to someone who says you are too small to have surgery. A great response in my book was,"If I'm too small for WLS, then you won't mind giving me a piggy-back ride!"
   — koogy

May 9, 2003
I too am 5'1..my starting weight was 230, bmi 43.5..and now my weight is 175 and bmi 33.1.. it's the best thing I've done.. Everyone told me that I was too small to do it, but I know how bad I felt and how tired I was...<b>I DO NOT REGRET HAVING THIS SURGERY!!!!</b><font size="3" WEIGH YOU OPTIONS!!!</font>
   — Kim *.

May 11, 2003
Amy, don't listen to people that say you are too small. The mere fact that you cannot see your feet, surely, in your mind is reason enough to go through this surgery. Do you have pain? It's actually about YOU! Not what THEY think. I'm 5'2" and weighed 265 with a BMI of about 48 BEFORE my surgery. I lost down to 237 for my consult to my surgeon. WE are considered "lightweights". I had numerous co-morbidities and felt aweful. depression was like a rollercoaster...YOU have to do this for YOU, not anyone else. If your PCP approves, that's all that matters. There are many here in the AMOS community that have had the very same things to them. I say, make those people that say those negative things invisible, and GO FOR IT! You won't regret it. Oh, BTW (by the way), I've been trying to get in touch with you. LAP RNY 9/3/02 265/160/115...email: [email protected] Hadiyah McCutcheon, a.k.a.~~
   — yourdivaness

May 11, 2003
I am 5'6" and started out at 300 by the day of surgery. Like an earlier poster I carry my weight really well and had several people tell me that I was not "big enough" to have this surgery and "you have such a pretty face". Luckily my family and closest friends were really supportive and I was able to tell others, if I chose to, that yes I did qualify and apparantly my insurance agrees becuase they are paying for it. Good luck with your surgery.
   — Melanie S.




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